STAND. COM. REP. NO. 286

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 1287

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1287 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MICROCHIP IDENTIFICATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require all dog and cat owners to microchip their pets, if the pets are not otherwise licensed.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Kauai Humane Society, Poi Dogs & Popoki, and four individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Neighborhood Cats and one individual.

Your Committee finds that microchips are the safest, most accessible, and most affordable identification tool for pet owners. Microchipping pets can also bypass the need for animal control, save taxpayer money by eliminating the cost of intake and boarding of lost pets, and avoid additional stress on an owner and the pet during the period of separation.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purpose of style, 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. 1287, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1287, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair