Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation and Government Operations, to which was referred H.B. No. 3121, H.D. 2, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to ensure the welfare of pet animals by providing emergency shelters during civil defense emergency periods.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Civil Defense.

Your Committee is concerned with the welfare of pet animals during emergencies; however, of equal concern is the fact that many pet owners, worried about their pets' safety, may be dissuaded or delayed in seeking proper shelter in these emergencies. As recent events have shown, many pet owners would put themselves in harm's way rather than abandon their pets.

Your Committee finds that this measure would clarify the responsibilities of the State Civil Defense in disaster preparedness efforts as well as provide for the designation and management of pet-friendly emergency shelters.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to upon approval.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 3121, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 3121, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.