STAND. COM. REP. NO. 511

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 593

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 Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 593 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DOG BREEDERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish certain minimum standards of care and proper treatment of dogs at large-scale breeding facilities in the State.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Prohibits the ownership or custody of more than thirty dogs that are intact and over the age of twelve months;

(2) Defines "dog breeders" and requires dog breeders to maintain specific written records of each dog for a specified period;

(3) Requires the licensing of dog breeders to ensure that every dog under their care is provided with sufficient food and clean water, sufficient shelter from the elements, necessary veterinary care, sufficient space, and regular exercise, among other things;

(4) Allows each county or its contracted local humane society the flexibility of assessing county-specific situations, determine whether the need for regulation exists, and develop appropriate rules for housing and treatment of dogs by dog breeders, if necessary; and

(5) Require each county or its contracted local humane society to assess appropriate license fees for dog breeders and to pursue civil penalties for noncompliant dog breeders.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiian Humane Society, Animal Rights Hawaiʻi, Aloha Animal Advocates and Pele Lani Farm LLC, and two individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from three individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from Pacific Pet Alliance and the American Kennel Club.

Your Committee finds that the State is an outlier in its lack of regulation of animal-related businesses or nonprofits. Additionally, there is a lack of transparency for the consumer about where and how animals are being bred, with no way to ascertain the conditions under which these animals are being kept. Existing state and federal laws regarding the care and husbandry of dogs inadequately regulate large-scale breeding facilities in the State. Inadequate regulations impose an unfair fiscal burden on county and state taxpayers, government agencies, and nongovernmental organizations, whose resources contribute to the care of dogs discarded or abused by large-scale breeding facilities. This measure will ensure that dog breeders will have the necessary oversight that befits a commercial style operation while also respecting differences of hobbyist breeders.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending the definition of "dog breeder";

(2) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 593, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 593, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

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JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair