HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	89
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP TO EXPLORE STRATEGIES TO ALLOW DOGS IN PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS AND BARS.

     WHEREAS, many jurisdictions in the Continental United States and in Europe allow customers to bring dogs into restaurants and bars; and

     WHEREAS, a recent national poll found that more than ninety percent of pet owners considered their pets to be members of their families; and

     WHEREAS, spending time with pets has been found to relieve stress and anger and to have other positive health benefits; and

     WHEREAS, sixty percent of Oahu households include pets, with dog ownership having substantially increased over the last two decades; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii dog owners seek opportunities to spend quality time with their animals; and

     WHEREAS, an important concern for stakeholders is to ensure the safety of service animals if dogs are allowed in restaurants and bars; and

     WHEREAS, addressing food safety and health concerns is also of primary importance when considering allowing dogs in restaurants and bars; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, the Senate concurring, that the Hawaiian Humane Society is requested to establish and participate in the Dogs in Restaurants and Bars Working Group; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health and the Disability and Communication Access Board is requested to participate in the working group; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaiian Humane Society is requested to invite representatives from the following groups to participate in the working group:

     (1)  Humane Society of the United States;

     (2)  Hawaii Restaurant Association;

     (3)  Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association;

     (4)  American Kennel Club;

     (5)  A restaurant that currently allows dogs; and

     (6)  The executive director of the Hawaii Disability Rights Center; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Dogs in Restaurants and Bars Working Group is requested to explore strategies and develop recommendations that will allow dogs to be welcomed in participating restaurants and bars while ensuring the health and safety of both humans and animals; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Dogs in Restaurants and Bars Working Group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2015; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the Hawaiian Humane Society, the Director of Health, and the Executive Director of the Disability and Communication Access Board; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaiian Humane Society is requested to transmit copies of this Concurrent Resolution to the groups enumerated in this measure.

Report Title: 

Requesting a working group to explore strategies to allow dogs in participating restaurants and bars.