STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2957

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 2725

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations, to which was referred H.B. No. 2725, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to revise laws prohibiting the cruel treatment of pet animals by:

 

     (1)  Amending the definition of "necessary sustenance" to specify the standards of care that an owner must provide a pet animal, including the type of pet enclosure and under what conditions and veterinary care must be provided; and

 

     (2)  Revising the definition of "pet animal" to exclude certain domesticated rabbits, caged birds, and domesticated pigs.

 

     Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by one private organization and two individuals.  Testimony in support of the measure, with suggested amendments, was submitted by two private organizations.  Testimony in opposition to the measure was submitted by one state agency.  Comments regarding the measure were submitted by one state agency and one private organization.  Written testimony presented to your Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Your Committee finds that the existing definitions applicable to cruelty to animals lack specificity in the areas of the requirements of a primary pet enclosure and the range of care needed to sufficiently preserve the health and well-being of a pet animal.  This measure is intended to provide more precision for these matters.  However, testimony regarding this measure indicates that there are still unaddressed concerns from various parties.  Your Committee notes concerns raised by the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation and the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council that the habitat requirements in this measure are not intended for livestock or other animals raised for food production purposes, and it is your Committee's intent that only pet animals not raised for food production purposes will be covered by this measure.  Your Committee understands that the parties are working together to develop a draft to sort out these points.

 

     Your Committee notes that a measure similar to H.B. No. 2725, H.D. 1, was heard and approved by your Committee and passed by the Senate.  Given the ongoing discussion between the parties, your Committee believes that substituting the contents of the similar measure, S.B. No. 2800, S.D. 1, will encourage discussion on these unanswered issues.

 

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by deleting its contents and substituting the contents of S.B. No. 2800, S.D. 1, which amends the definition of "necessary sustenance" to include:

 

     (1)  The requirements of an area of confinement in a primary pet enclosure; and

 

     (2)  Veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2725, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2725, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

 


Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations,

 

 

 

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair