The CVMA is pleased to have presented Assemblymember Ash Kalra with the 2025 Legislator of the Year Award last Wednesday, August 20. This award honors legislators demonstrating an understanding of and appreciation for the unique complexities of the veterinary medical profession and who celebrate the positive contributions of the veterinarians, registered veterinary technicians, researchers, veterinary students, and veterinary medical faculty in our state.

This year, Assemblymember Kalra authored AB 516, the CVMA’s co-sponsored bill clarifying the roles and permissible tasks of registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants in private practices and in animal shelters. This important bill also expressly allows an RVT to perform a dental procedure and extract teeth. Largely due to Assemblymember Kalra’s efforts, AB 516 has enjoyed bipartisan success as it continues to move through the Legislature.

In addition to his recent work on AB 516, Assemblymember Kalra has played a pivotal role in ensuring safe cannabis use for animals in the state. In 2017, Assemblymember Kalra wrote AB 2215 in response to a decision by the California Veterinary Medical Board that prohibited veterinarians from discussing or answering questions by clients about the use of cannabis for their pet. AB 2215, which was successfully passed into law, permitted veterinarians to have conversations with their clients about the positives and negatives associated with cannabis products for pets without fear of penalization or license-related discipline. In 2021, he further supported the veterinary profession by authoring AB 384, which allowed veterinarians to explicitly recommend safe cannabis products to clients and authorized the California Department of Cannabis Control to track, test, and trace pet-related products.

The CVMA has been consistently impressed by Assemblymember Kalra’s thoughtful approach to crafting successful legislation and championing the veterinary profession. For these reasons, the CVMA is happy to present Assemblymember Ash Kalra with the 2025 Legislator of the Year Award.