House Committee of Reference Report
Committee on Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources
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March 2, 2026
After consideration on the merits, the Committee recommends the following:
HB26-1198 be amended as follows, and as so amended, be referred to the Committee of the Whole with favorable recommendation:
Page 1, Line 1Amend printed bill, page 2, strike lines 2 through 9 and substitute:
Page 1, Line 2"SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-315-105, amend
Page 1, Line 3(3); and add (2)(b)(IV) as follows:
Page 1, Line 412-315-105. License requirements and exceptions - practice of
Page 1, Line 5veterinary medicine - prescriptions - definitions - rules.
Page 1, Line 6(2)(b)(IV) A veterinarian who administers, distributes,
Page 1, Line 7dispenses, or prescribes a prescription drug in accordance with
Page 1, Line 8this subsection (2)(b) is not conducting the practice of pharmacy,
Page 1, Line 9as defined in section 12-280-103 (39), is not acting as a
Page 1, Line 10pharmacist, as defined in section 12-280-103 (35), and is not
Page 1, Line 11subject to discipline by the state board of pharmacy created in
Page 1, Line 12section 12-280-104 solely for administering, distributing,
Page 1, Line 13dispensing, or prescribing a prescription drug in accordance with
Page 1, Line 14this subsection (2)(b).
Page 1, Line 15(3) If a veterinarian complies with the requirements of section
Page 1, Line 1612-280-121 12-315-128 (2) and (3), the veterinarian may maintain an
Page 1, Line 17office stock of compounded drugs. As used in this subsection (3), "office
Page 1, Line 18stock" has the same meaning as set forth in section 12-280-121 (5)(b).".
Page 1, Line 19Page 3, strike lines 4 through 27 and substitute "the requirements of the
Page 1, Line 20occupational credential portability program.
Page 1, Line 21(2) The board shall review and update existing procedures
Page 1, Line 22related to the process by which an individual is licensed by
Page 1, Line 23endorsement in accordance with this section and shall adopt
Page 1, Line 24rules with the intent to expedite the licensure by endorsement
Page 1, Line 25process, which may include eliminating duplicative requirements
Page 1, Line 26and streamlining the pathway to licensure.".
Page 2, Line 1Page 4, strike lines 1 through 7 and substitute:
Page 2, Line 2"SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add with amended
Page 2, Line 3and relocated provisions 12-315-128 as follows:
Page 2, Line 412-315-128. Compounding drugs for veterinary use -
Page 2, Line 5dispensing of drugs by veterinarian - animal shelters - rules -
Page 2, Line 6definitions.
Page 2, Line 7(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise
Page 2, Line 8requires:
Page 2, Line 9(a) "Office stock" has the meaning set forth in section
Page 2, Line 1012-280-121 (5)(b).
Page 2, Line 11(b) "Prescription drug outlet" has the meaning set forth
Page 2, Line 12in section 12-280-121 (5)(c).
Page 2, Line 13(2) [Formerly 12-280-121 (2)] (a) A veterinarian may dispense
Page 2, Line 14a compounded drug maintained as part of the veterinarian's office stock
Page 2, Line 15pursuant to subsection (1) of this section only if:
Page 2, Line 16(I) The compounded drug is necessary for the treatment of an
Page 2, Line 17animal a patient's emergency condition; and
Page 2, Line 18(II) As determined by the veterinarian, the veterinarian cannot
Page 2, Line 19access, in a timely manner, the compounded drug through a registered
Page 2, Line 20prescription drug outlet.
Page 2, Line 21(b) A veterinarian shall not dispense a compounded drug pursuant
Page 2, Line 22to this section in an amount greater than the amount required to treat an
Page 2, Line 23animal patient's emergency condition for five days a patient's
Page 2, Line 24condition.
Page 2, Line 25(3) [Formerly 12-280-121 (3)] A licensed veterinarian shall not
Page 2, Line 26administer or dispense a compounded drug maintained for office stock
Page 2, Line 27pursuant to this section or for office use pursuant to section 12-280-120
Page 2, Line 28(6)(b) without a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship in place at
Page 2, Line 29the time of administering the compounded drug to an animal a patient or
Page 2, Line 30dispensing the compounded drug to a client.
Page 2, Line 31(4) [Formerly 12-280-120 (17)] (a) An animal shelter or animal
Page 2, Line 32control agency that is registered with the board state board of
Page 2, Line 33pharmacy pursuant to section 12-280-119 (12) is authorized to:
Page 2, Line 34(I) Purchase, possess, and administer sodium pentobarbital, or
Page 2, Line 35sodium pentobarbital in combination with other prescription drugs that
Page 2, Line 36are medically recognized for euthanasia, to euthanize injured, sick,
Page 2, Line 37homeless, or unwanted pets and animals;
Page 2, Line 38(II) Purchase, possess, and administer drugs commonly used for
Page 2, Line 39the chemical capture of animals for control purposes or to sedate or
Page 2, Line 40immobilize pet animals immediately prior to euthanasia; and
Page 2, Line 41(III) Purchase and possess vaccines and administer vaccines in
Page 2, Line 42accordance with applicable laws.
Page 3, Line 1(b) An animal shelter or animal control agency registered pursuant
Page 3, Line 2to section 12-280-119 (12) shall not permit a person to administer
Page 3, Line 3scheduled controlled substances, sodium pentobarbital, or sodium
Page 3, Line 4pentobarbital in combination with other noncontrolled prescription drugs
Page 3, Line 5that are medically recognized for euthanasia unless the person has
Page 3, Line 6demonstrated adequate knowledge of the potential hazards and proper
Page 3, Line 7techniques to be used in administering the drug or combination of drugs.
Page 3, Line 8(5) The board may adopt any rules necessary to implement
Page 3, Line 9and administer this section.
Page 3, Line 10SECTION 4. Repeal of relocated provisions in this act. In
Page 3, Line 11Colorado Revised Statutes, repeal 12-280-120 (17) and 12-280-121 (2)
Page 3, Line 12and (3).".
Page 3, Line 13Renumber succeeding sections accordingly.
Page 3, Line 14Page 4, strike lines 19 through 27.
Page 3, Line 15Strike page 5.
Page 3, Line 16Page 6, strike lines 1 through 6.
Page 3, Line 17Renumber succeeding sections accordingly.
Page 3, Line 18Page 9, after line 2 insert:
Page 3, Line 19"SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-280-119, amend
Page 3, Line 20(12)(b) and (12)(c) as follows:
Page 3, Line 2112-280-119. Registration of facilities - rules.
Page 3, Line 22(12) (b) The board may issue a limited license to an animal shelter
Page 3, Line 23or animal control agency to perform the activities described in section
Page 3, Line 2412-280-120 (17) 12-315-128 (4).
Page 3, Line 25(c) The board shall adopt rules as necessary to ensure strict
Page 3, Line 26compliance with this subsection (12) and section 12-280-120 (17)
Page 3, Line 2712-315-128 (4) and, in conjunction with the state board of veterinary
Page 3, Line 28medicine, shall develop criteria for training individuals in the
Page 3, Line 29administration of the drug or combination of drugs.
Page 3, Line 30SECTION 8. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-280-127, amend
Page 3, Line 31(1)(b) as follows:
Page 3, Line 3212-280-127. Disciplinary actions.
Page 3, Line 33(1) (b) The board may suspend or revoke a registration issued
Page 3, Line 34pursuant to section 12-280-119 (12) upon determination that the person
Page 3, Line 35administering a drug or combination of drugs to an animal has not
Page 3, Line 36demonstrated adequate knowledge required by sections 12-280-119 (12)
Page 4, Line 1and 12-280-120 (17) 12-315-128 (4).".
Page 4, Line 2Renumber succeeding section accordingly.
Page 4, Line 3Page 1, strike lines 102 through 106 and substitute "connection
Page 4, Line 4therewith, expediting the process by which a veterinarian is
Page 4, Line 5licensed by endorsement, clarifying the use of prescription
Page 4, Line 6drugs and compounded drugs by veterinarians, and
Page 4, Line 7establishing a program for the donation of veterinary
Page 4, Line 8drugs.".