STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1349

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 165

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 165 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE ON HUMANE RESTRAINT AND CONFINEMENT OF PET ANIMALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Governor to establish a Task Force on Humane Restraint and Confinement of Pet Animals, to examine the issues raised during the Regular Session of 2009 by Senate Bill No. 1222, S.D. 1, relating to the Humane Treatment of Pet Animals, Senate Bill No. 30, S.D. 1, relating to Animals, Senate Bill No. 488, relating to Animal Cruelty, and Senate Bill No. 1188, relating to Animals.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from five private organizations and three individuals.  Comments were submitted by one state agency.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     The above-referenced measures demonstrate the need for comprehensive legislation regarding the restraint and confinement of pet animals that would not only meet the needs of the community but would consider the unique differences among the counties with regard to enforcement capabilities.

     It is the intent of your Committee that the Task Force on Humane Restraint and Confinement of Pet Animals bring together the stakeholders and experts in the field of animal protection and anti‑cruelty in order to report to the 2010 Regular Session on recommendations for comprehensive legislation relating to restraint and confinement standards for pet animals, including issues with and solutions for the enforcement of the recommended legislation; suggested amendments to the definition of "necessary sustenance" as it relates to "area of confinement" or any additional definitions, as appropriate, in section 711-1100, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and any dissenting opinions among task force members to the recommended legislation.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Adding to the membership of the task force the West Hawaii Humane Society; Oahu Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; and Animal Rights Hawaii; and

     (2)  Substituting the Judiciary for the Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution as the agency to provide administrative support.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 165, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 165, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair