Legislation Supports Murray State Veterinary Medicine School

Support is growing for the establishment of a School of Veterinary Medicine at Murray State University as Kentucky’s 2025 legislative session progresses. House Bill 153, introduced by State Representative Mary Beth Imes with 20 co-sponsors, seeks to amend state law to allow Murray State to offer Veterinary doctoral degrees. A similar bill will be introduced in the Senate by Senator Jason Howell.

Kentucky currently lacks a Veterinary school, and 80 of its 120 counties face a Veterinary shortage, forcing about 70 students annually to attend out-of-state schools. Murray State’s Hutson School of Agriculture, with over 450 pre-Veterinary students, is well-positioned to address this gap. The state has allocated $60 million for a new Veterinary Sciences building. Feasibility studies, including one by Deloitte, highlight the economic and educational benefits of the proposed school. Supporters emphasize the urgent need to address the Veterinary shortage, particularly in rural areas, and strengthen Kentucky’s animal agriculture industry.