SECTION 42.5. Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) Account--The rural veterinarian incentive program account authorized under Texas Education Code, Chapter 61, Subchapter OO, §61.9965.

(2) Applicant--A person applying to the Rural Veterinarian Incentive Program.

(3) Application Round--Means the period beginning on the date the commission begins accepting applications and continuing until all participants are selected from the applications.

(4) Board--Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

(5) Commission--The Texas Animal Health Commission, or its designee.

(6) Committee--The rural veterinarian incentive program committee established by Texas Education Code, Chapter 56, Subchapter G.

(7) Eligible Education Loan--A qualifying loan under this program as prescribed by §42.19 of this chapter (relating to Eligible Lender and Eligible Education Loan).

(8) Full-Time Veterinary Medical Services--An average of at least 32 hours of veterinary care per week during the obligated service period.

(9) Licensed Veterinarian--A person licensed by the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 801, to practice veterinary medicine.

(10) Obligated Service Period--A period equal to 12 consecutive months in which a participant agrees to provide full-time veterinary medical services in a rural county or counties under the Rural Veterinarian Incentive Program.

(11) Program--The Rural Veterinarian Incentive Program established by Texas Education Code, Subchapter G §§56.101-56.106.

(12) Participant--A person who is selected to receive loan repayment assistance or payment of tuition and fees from the Rural Veterinarian Incentive Program.

(13) Qualifying Disability--A person is considered to have a qualifying disability if the person:

(A) cannot work and engage in substantial gainful activity because of their medical condition;

(B) cannot perform work done previously or adjust to other work because of their medical condition; or

(C) has a long-term condition or terminal illness.

(14) Rural county--Has the same meaning defined by Texas Education Code, Subchapter G §56.101(7).

Source Note: The provisions of this §42.5 adopted to be effective May 24, 2023, 48 TexReg 2567