THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2563

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 356D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§356D-    Pet animals.  (a)  The authority shall allow any resident of a public housing project or state low-income housing project to keep one or more pet animals in the resident's unit, subject to applicable state laws, county ordinances, and any reasonable conditions.

     (b)  The authority may charge a refundable deposit for each pet animal but shall not impose a monthly pet fee or pet rent.

     (c)  Nothing in this section shall prevent the authority from immediately acting to remove a vicious animal to protect persons or property.

     (d)  For purposes of this section:

     "Pet animal" has the same meaning as defined in section 711-1100.

     "Reasonable conditions" include:

     (1)  Policies on nuisance behaviors;

     (2)  Leash requirements;

     (3)  Insurance coverage requirements;

     (4)  Policies on the maximum number of pet animals allowed, based on the unit's size; and

     (5)  Bans on specific dogs that a county law enforcement agency has deemed dangerous or vicious;

provided that reasonable conditions shall not include bans on entire dog breeds or limitations on a pet animal's size."

     SECTION 2.  In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $           or       per cent.  This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only.  The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

     (1)  The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

     (2)  The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the establishment of two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) positions to enforce section 1 of this Act and to maintain the full-time equivalent state public housing properties statewide.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii public housing authority for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 5.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

 

 

Report Title:

HPHA; Pet Animals; Allowed, Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to allow any resident of a public housing project or state low-income housing project to keep one or more pet animals in the resident's unit, subject to applicable state laws, county ordinances, and any reasonable conditions.  Provides that the Authority may charge a refundable deposit for each pet animal but shall not impose a monthly pet fee or pet rent.  Allows the Authority to remove a vicious animal to protect persons or property.  Creates Positions.  Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded.  Makes an appropriation.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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