The bills regarding Murray State’s proposed veterinary school of medicine have reached the education committee. University officials expect a decision to be made by the end of the month.
As of March 2025, four bills (HB 153, SB 80, SB 113 and SB 134) have been introduced to the Kentucky legislature that would allow an amendment to KRS 164.295– a statute that does not permit a comprehensive university to award doctorate degrees. The proposed amendment would give Murray State the authority to award doctorate degrees in veterinary medicine and thus spur the establishment of the first veterinary school of medicine in Kentucky. As of now, the bills have not moved past the Education Committee.
Jordan Smith, assistant vice president of public affairs at Murray State, said University officials felt confident that a bill in favor of the amendment would be passed.
“The Kentucky House and Senate will have to concur on legislation prior to March 28 (the last day of legislation), to allow us the statutory authority to offer a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine,” said Smith. “From there, we would work with the Council on Postsecondary Education and accrediting bodies to begin this program.”
Prior to the introduction of these bills to the Kentucky General Assembly in 2025, the University began constructing plans for the new facility, for which funding was secured in 2024.
“Murray State University has hired an architecture and engineering firm regarding the design of a new $60 million veterinary sciences building, which was appropriated by the General Assembly last legislative session,” Smith said. “If MSU receives the statutory authority to offer a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine this session, this new vet sciences building would be Phase I of a School of Veterinary Medicine.”
Murray State has the highest enrollment in pre-vet and vet tech programs in the state, but due to there not being a veterinary school of medicine in Kentucky, students seeking their doctorate degree leave the state to finish their education. As a result, Kentucky has seen a shortage of practicing veterinarians in rural counties.
Associate Dean of the Hutson School of Agriculture (HSOA) Shea Porr provided a statement expressing optimism for the future of the vet school and the opportunities it would bring.
“We (HSOA) are very happy that supporters of the proposal to approve a school of veterinary medicine here at Murray State have introduced bills that are currently being considered,” Porr said. “We’re currently waiting for the vote, but we are cautiously optimistic that the proposal will be approved. If it is approved, we are excited about the prospects that (it) will offer the Hutson School of Agriculture and Murray State University,”
For more information about the current legislative session and updated progress on the bills, visit legislature.ky.gov.
