Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 664 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to establish procedures and requirements for the entry of dogs, cats, or other carnivores into the State without quarantine.

The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Hawaii Business Roundtable, Air Force Association, and numerous concerned citizens supported this bill. The Hawaiian Humane Society and numerous concerned citizens supported the intent of this measure. The Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation and a concerned citizen opposed this measure. The Department of Agriculture offered comments.

Your Committee recognizes the emotional and financial burdens imposed on pets and their owners by the current quarantine system. Your Committee also notes, however, the critical importance of keeping Hawaii "rabies-free." A single case of rabies would not only pose a deadly health risk to animals and people, but would also threaten Hawaii's economic well-being by jeopardizing Hawaii's status as a desirable destination for visitors. Your Committee believes that a compromise solution provides the most reasonable and prudent policy action.

To this end, your Committee has amended this measure by:

Your Committee realizes that there are many issues that need to be resolved before this measure can be passed by the Legislature. Therefore, your Committee expects subsequent committees to examine this bill and make revisions, as necessary.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 664, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 664, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Health.