STAND. COM. REP. NO.  288

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

 

RE:   H.B. No. 185

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

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. 185 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to increase the protection of animals by:

 

     (1)  Establishing licensing requirements for dog breeders; and

 

     (2)  Strengthening laws pertaining to abandonment of or cruelty to animals.

 

     The Hawaiian Humane Society, Animal Rights Hawaii, Hawaii Island Humane Society, and numerous individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Pacific Pet Alliance, Hawaii Opaeula, Koolau Pets, and numerous individuals testified in opposition to this measure.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Department of the Attorney General provided comments.

 

     Your Committee notes that many concerns were raised regarding this issue by small scale dog breeders.  As these issues are beyond the purview of your Committee on Agriculture, your Committee respectfully requests that your Committee on Judiciary consider the issues and concerns raised should it deliberate this measure further.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing its effective date to July 31, 2150, to facilitate further discussion; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for the purpose of clarity and consistency.

 

     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. 185, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 185, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair