Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda for the session. Key discussions included the review of the Veterinary Technician National Examination Score Report, which resulted in no action taken, and a discussion regarding the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request Policy and procedure, which was set to commence immediately. The Board also reviewed continuing education applications for several individuals, including those related to the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association Annual Meeting and specialized training. A motion was passed unanimously to enter into a Closed Meeting Session to review confidential investigative information and discuss potential licensee disciplinary actions, before reconvening to the Open Meeting Session with no resulting action taken on closed session sanctions.

Key discussions during the meeting included public comment regarding continuing education rules for veterinary technicians, specifically the reversion of online/distance education hours. The Board approved the renewal of the Examination Proctor Service Agreement for one additional year, set to expire on October 4, 2024. The Board reviewed and accepted the Veterinary Technician National Examination scores for the testing window of April 15 through June 15, 2023. Significant time was dedicated to reviewing regulatory analysis for Administrative Rules, specifically noting changes in Chapters 9, 11, and 14, and allowing additional information for PAVE applicants under Chapter 6. Following a closed session to review confidential complaint files and potential disciplinary investigations, the Board voted to close case 23-016. Finally, the Board did not approve two continuing education applications submitted by Dr. Randall Larson related to the Alpaca Research Foundation Board Meetings and the Nunoa Project trip to Peru.

The meeting agenda was approved. Public comment included discussions between the Iowa Farm Bureau and the Veterinary/Client/Patient/Relationship concerning Foreign Animal Disease outbreaks and biosecurity. The Executive Secretary reported on the Board's FY25 financial status and potential spending areas, such as expert witnesses or staffing. The Chairperson reported on the passing of Colorado's 129 Midlevel Practitioners legislation and a Texas court ruling regarding a veterinarian's emailed clinical advice being constitutionally protected speech. A report noted infections of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza in Canadian and Californian children who had no direct animal contact. The Board unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding for the Veterinary Technician National Examination. Following a closed session to review confidential complaint files and potential disciplinary investigations, the Board voted to close several complaint cases (24-010, 24-018, 24-020, 24-023, 024-027, 24-028, and 24-035). Continuing education applications for several veterinarians were reviewed and approved.

The Board approved the updated agenda for the meeting. Discussions included reminders about the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association Winter Conference and the status of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) cases, including international testing and quarantine updates. The Board reviewed correspondence, including the Veterinary Technician National Examination score report, and unanimously approved payment for the American Association of Veterinary State Boards 2025 Membership Dues. The Board also unanimously approved the Order on the Petition of Waiver for Dr. Nilson Ribas Neto, authorizing a temporary permit, and reviewed grounds for denial related to felony convictions for license applications. Following a closed session to review confidential investigative information and potential disciplinary actions, the Board closed four complaint cases (24-026, 24-031, 24-032, and 24-033). Finally, the Board reviewed and approved several continuing education applications.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda. Public comments focused heavily on the Iowa Veterinary Technician State Examination fees, with discussions about potentially reducing them to $100 or less, exploring electronic testing formats, and determining the administrative workload for verifying eligibility. Further discussion occurred regarding the potential introduction of a jurisprudence exam for veterinarians. An update was provided regarding a follow-up to the Chapter 12 discussion from the September meeting concerning telemedicine and outbreak declarations, resulting in the formation of a subcommittee. The Board approved the edited Open Meeting Minutes from September 25, 2025, and the Special Virtual Open Meeting Minutes from October 2, 2025. The financial report indicated an end-of-year FY26 balance of $229,832.32 as of September 30, 2025. In the Executive Secretary Report, the Board unanimously approved the creation of specific email addresses for Board Members and the purchase of Microsoft 365 licenses. A Petition for Waiver was officially withdrawn as the applicant received diplomate status. The regulatory analysis for the proposed rule to increase the civil penalty is expected around Thanksgiving. The Board entered a unanimous closed session to review confidential complaint files and consider disciplinary investigations, reconvening later to close three specific cases (25-016, 25-030, and 25-031). Finally, continuing education applications were reviewed and approved.