STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3236

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2512

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2512, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VETERINARY MEDICINE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Prohibit the owner of an animal, and the owner's employees, from performing any surgical procedure, including but not limited to surgical birth, ear cropping, tail docking, or debarking on the animal without being licensed as a veterinarian; and

(2) Make intentionally or knowingly performing any surgical procedure on a pet animal by any person not licensed as a veterinarian guilty of a class C felony.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Board of Veterinary Medicine, Hawaiian Humane Society, and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Pacific Pet Alliance and one individual.

Your Committee finds that there are serious dangers and risks to an animal when surgical procedures, especially surgical birth, ear cropping, and tail docking, are performed by individuals who have not received the appropriate education and training. This measure protects Hawaii's pet animals from harm and suffering by requiring that surgical procedures on a pet animal be performed by a licensed veterinarian.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2512, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair