STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2659

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2208

       S.D. 2

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2208, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to reduce pet and feral animal overpopulation and encourage pet owners to spay and neuter their animals.

     Specifically, this measure:

(1)  Establishes the spay and neuter special fund, to be administered by the Department of Budget and Finance, to be used to spay and neuter feral animals, educate the public about the importance of spaying and neutering pets, and prevent homeless animal overpopulation;

(2)  Establishes an advisory committee consisting of animal rescue and care professionals to assist the Department in developing criteria for disbursing moneys from the spay and neuter special fund; and

(3)  Allows funds from a state income tax check-off to be deposited into the spay and neuter special fund.

     Written comments in support of this measure were submitted by the Humane Society of the United States-Hawaii; Hui Pono Holoholona; For the Fishes; Hawaii Military Pets; and nine individuals.

Written comments on this measure were submitted by the Department of Budget and Finance and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that stray animals and pet overpopulation are a problem in Hawaii, resulting in animal rescue organizations across the State sheltering tens of thousands of animals each year.  Your Committee finds that much of the difficulty presented by stray and homeless animals would be alleviated through a comprehensive effort to spay and neuter pets and strays.  Accordingly, your Committee finds that the creation of a spay and neuter special fund to finance the sterilization of feral animals and education of pet owners will help prevent pet and stray animal overpopulation. 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Specifying that the Director of Finance shall appoint the chairperson of the advisory committee from among the committee members and clarifying the description of the membership;

(2)  Specifying that the members of the advisory committee shall serve without pay but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in carrying out their duties; and

(3)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2208, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2208, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair