As used in this part 10, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. (1) Council means the state veterinary education loan repayment council created in section 23-31-1003.
2. (1.5) Fund means the veterinary education loan repayment fund created in section 23-31-1010 (1)(a).
3. (2) Licensed veterinarian has the same meaning as set forth in section 12-315-104 (11).
4. (3) Program means the state veterinary education loan repayment program created in section 23-31-1004.

5. (4) Rural means:

   1. (a) A county with a population of fewer than thirty thousand; or
   2. (b) A municipality with a population of fewer than twenty thousand if the municipality is not contiguous to a municipality with a population of twenty thousand or more.
6. (5) Veterinarian has the same meaning as set forth in section 12-315-104 (18).
7. (6) Veterinary shortage area means a rural area that the council determines has a shortage of veterinarians practicing in the area.

Source: L. 2017: Entire part added, (HB 17-1282), ch. 322, p. 1734, § 1, effective August 9. L. 2019: (2) and (5) amended, (HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 1684, § 121, effective October 1. L. 2025: (1.5) added, (SB 25-275), ch. 377, p. 2052, § 104, effective August 6.