STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2974

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  H.B. No. 1889
                                        H.D. 2
                                        S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Economic Development and Transportation
and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred H.B.
No. 1889, H.D. 2, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to reduce the user fee of the
animal quarantine station by an unspecified percentage of the
rate that existed on January 1, 2000, forgive the moneys to be
deposited from the animal quarantine special fund into the
general fund, and appropriate funds for deposit into the animal
quarantine special fund.

     Testimony in favor of this measure was submitted by the
Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Hawaii
Business Roundtable, Chamber of Commerce, Hawaiian Humane
Society, and Hawaii Island Economic Development Board.  One
individual submitted testimony in opposition.  The Department of
Agriculture submitted comments.

     Your Committees find that the current animal quarantine
program continues to generate considerable controversy.  Your
Committees have heard that it causes undue hardship for Hawaii's
military community, as members often do not have time to comply
with the new regulations that would allow for shorter quarantine
stays once their animals arrive in Hawaii.  Your Committees have
also heard that any reduction in fees should benefit all users,

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2974
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as the intent of the program is to protect all Hawaii residents
from introduction of rabies.

     Your Committees acknowledge the issues raised by all
concerned.  Your Committees previously heard and approved
S.B. No. 2134 and have amended this measure to replace its
contents with those of the Senate bill.  As amended, this measure
would provide active duty military personnel with a graduated
percentage reduction on all quarantine fees.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your
Committees on Economic Development and Transportation and
Intergovernmental Affairs that are attached to this report, your
Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of
H.B. No. 1889, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it
pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1889,
H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and
Means.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committees on Economic
                                   Development and Transportation
                                   and Intergovernmental Affairs,



____________________________       ______________________________
CAL KAWAMOTO, Chair                LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

 
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