STAND. COM. REP. NO. 796

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 593

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 593 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Require research facilities to make available for adoption healthy cats and dogs that are no longer required for research; and

     (2)  Allow research facilities to contract with nonprofit animal shelters and rescue groups to facilitate the adoptions.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Humane Society of the United States, Hawaiian Humane Society, National Anti-Vivisection Society, For Forgotten Felines, and six individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the National Association for Biomedical Research and three individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System.

     Your Committee finds that thousands of cats and dogs are used in research each year.  Although many of these animals are healthy and suitable for adoption after they are used for research purposes, most of them are euthanized.  Your Committee finds that encouraging working relationships between research facilities and animal rescue organizations will save the lives of many adoptable animals.  Your Committee has received testimony indicating that the University of Hawaii has a protocol in place for adopting out animals that remain healthy following research, and notes that this measure will require other research facilities using dogs and cats for research to meet a similar standard.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by adding language to specify that research facilities are the ones who shall determine whether cats and dogs are suitable for adoption.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 593, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 593, S.D. 1.

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

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair