(a) A rural community sponsor is:
  (1) a community or political subdivision or group of such entities located in a rural county; or
  (2) a non-profit entity governed by council members, commissioners, or a board of trustees that:
    (A) is responsible to and serves a community located in a rural county; and
    (B) is legally authorized to raise funds or accept grants or financial gifts.
(b) To qualify to participate in the program, the rural community sponsor must:
  (1) notify the executive director of the commission in writing of its desire to participate in the program;
  (2) agree to provide an amount of not less than the tuition and fees required for a full academic year for a student enrolled in a school of veterinary medicine in exchange for the eligible participant's agreement to practice veterinary medicine in the sponsor's rural county for one year;
  (3) have selected a participant who is eligible to participate under the program; and
  (4) provide information requested by the commission to determine the rural community sponsor's eligibility under the program.
(c) The agreement between the rural community sponsor and the selected participant must include, but is not limited to, the following provisions:
  (1) the rural community sponsor will provide financial support to the participant in an amount not less than the tuition and fees required for a full academic year of study for a student enrolled in a school of veterinary medicine in exchange for the participant practicing veterinary medicine in the rural community for one calendar year; and
  (2) the participant sets their charges at the prevailing rate for the area.

Source Note: The provisions of this §42.17 adopted to be effective May 24, 2023, 48 TexReg 2567