STAND. COM. REP. NO.  94

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 155

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. 155 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to safeguard the well-being of and strengthen protections for pet animals by explicitly addressing their support and maintenance and custody when their owners are undergoing annulment, divorce, or separation proceedings.  

The Hawaiian Humane Society, Humane Society of the United States, Hawaii Island Humane Society, West Hawaii Humane Society, and numerous concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Family Law Section of the Hawaii State Bar Association and Pacific Pet Alliance opposed the measure.  The Judiciary submitted comments.

     Should your Committee on Judiciary choose to hear this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that it further examine and consider the legal and judicial concerns raised, particularly those of the Hawaii State Judiciary.

     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. 155 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