STAND. COM. REP. NO.  145

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 1516

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1516 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMAL FORFEITURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allow for the forfeiture of rescued animals prior to the filing or disposition of criminal charges by:

(1)  Enabling a duly incorporated humane society or duly incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals that is holding the animal to petition the court for forfeiture of the impounded pet animal or equine animal; and

(2)  Requiring immediate forfeiture of the pet animal or equine animal to the petitioner based on a finding of probable cause that the animal was subject to a violation of certain specified cruelty to animal offenses or, if probable cause is not established, direct the return of the animal to the owner or custodian of the impounded animal.

West Hawaii Humane Society, Hawaii Island Humane Society, and several individuals testified in support of this measure.  Pacific Pet Alliance opposed this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1516 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture,

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair