STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2879

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2895

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred S.B. No. 2895, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to extend to equine animals some of the protections accorded to pet animals under the laws relating to cruelty to animals.

     Specifically, the measure protects horses and related animals by making it a class C felony to harm equine animals in such a way that results in serious bodily injury or death.

     Testimony supporting this measure was received from one private individual, and late testimony was received from Compassion for Animals.

     Your Committee believes that horses belong under the protection of law and that adding equine animals to the list of animals protected under the animal cruelty law reflects the fact that companion animals come in all shapes and sizes.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2895, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Labor,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair