STAND. COM. REP. NO. 859

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 301

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 301, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DOGS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish an additional penalty for a dog owner whose dog destroys certain property while on land zoned for agricultural use.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; McCandless Land and Cattle Co., LLC; Ulupalakua Ranch; and nine individuals.

Your Committee finds that farms and other agricultural operations often incur injuries or damages to animals and other property from unleashed or improperly secured dogs. According to testimony received by your Committee, attacks on livestock not only cause significant animal suffering and distress, disrupt farm operations, and pose safety risks for farm workers and residents, but also can result in devastating and irretrievable losses and economic impacts for farmers and ranchers. Your Committee further finds that the additional penalty proposed by this measure will motivate dog owners to take more initiative in securing their dogs and prevent them from entering private agricultural lands without consent and causing injuries or damages to others' property. This measure provides the necessary legal support to protect farmers and agricultural landowners from the significant burdens caused by unleashed or improperly secured dogs.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 301, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair