Appropriates funds as a grant-in-aid to the city and county of Honolulu to develop a plan for providing emergency shelter for pets during disasters and emergencies.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that our pets enrich our lives in more ways than we can count. In turn, they depend on us for their safety and well-being.

The legislature is also aware that in the event of a disaster or emergency, most emergency shelters will not accept pets due to public health reasons. Red Cross disaster shelters, for example, will not accept pets because of state health and safety regulations and other considerations.

Because it may be difficult, if not impossible, to find shelter for pets in the midst of a disaster, it is necessary to plan ahead before disaster strikes.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate a grant-in-aid to the city and county of Honolulu to develop a plan for providing pets with emergency shelter during disasters and large-scale emergencies. In connection with the plan, the city and county of Honolulu, among other things, shall study the feasibility of providing emergency shelter for pets in the parking lot of the Neil Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, Hawaii.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for a grant-in-aid to the city and county of Honolulu to develop a plan for providing pets with emergency shelter during disasters and large-scale emergencies. The plan shall focus on the island of Oahu and shall include, but shall not be limited to, a review of the feasibility of providing emergency shelter for pets in the parking lot of the Neil Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. The city and county shall work with the Hawaiian Humane Society and the civil defense agency of the state department of defense in developing the plan.

SECTION 3. The city and county of Honolulu shall report its plan, findings, and recommendations, including any necessary proposed legislation, if any, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2007.

SECTION 4. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the city and county of Honolulu for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.