THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2473
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to guide dogs.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that professionally trained guide dogs, services, and assistive aids for Hawaii's blind and visually impaired community yields higher unemployment with less need for lifetime support services for youth, and leads to greater independence and mobility for adults and seniors, thus minimizing the need for long term home and nursing care and fewer burdens to family, friends, and the community.

The legislature further finds that only half of the twenty-nine-acre site of the state animal quarantine facility in the lower Halawa valley has been slated for use by the department of public safety as the location for the new Oahu community correctional center. An environmental impact statement has already been prepared for the site, which allows the State to repurpose the remainder of the site for public benefit. This site is well-suited to be the location of a guide dog training facility to reduce the dependence upon the importation of professionally trained guide dogs from elsewhere.

The purpose of this Act is to provide resources for planning and design of a professional training facility for guide dogs and other professionally trained career dogs on a designated portion of the state animal quarantine facility in Halawa valley on Oahu.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $300,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the planning and design of a professional training facility for guide dogs and other professionally trained career dogs on a designated portion of the state animal quarantine facility in Halawa valley on Oahu.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Guide Dog Facility; State Animal Quarantine Facility

Description:

Makes an appropriation for the planning and design of a professional training facility for guide dogs and other professionally trained career dogs on a designated portion of the state animal quarantine facility in Halawa valley on Oahu.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.