STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1129-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   S.B. No. 2671

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 2671, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VETERINARY TECHNICIANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to improve the level of care for animals in the State by establishing requirements for the regulation of veterinary technicians and the practice of veterinary technology, including:

     (1)  Registration and education requirements;

     (2)  Limitations on the use of titles associated with the practice of veterinary technology; and

     (3)  Fees and other funding necessary to implement the registration of veterinary technicians.

The Associated Students of the University of Hawaii at Windward Community College, Hawaii Veterinary Technician Association, Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, and several individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Office of the Auditor, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and Board of Veterinary Examiners provided comments on this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making a technical amendment to correctly specify that the practice of veterinary technology includes, among other things, creating a relief hole, rather than a relief hold, to facilitate the placement of an intravenous catheter.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2671, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2671, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair