STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3534

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 2072

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2072, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SECTION 711-1109, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to amend the offense of cruelty to animals in the second degree.

 

Specifically, this measure:

 

     (1)  Prohibits certain restraints and tethers that endanger a dog; and

 

     (2)  Authorizes the court to assess fines or order community service, mental health counseling, or animal abuse prevention classes in addition to or in lieu of the penalties for the offense.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from The Humane Society of the United States, Hawaii Association of Animal Welfare Agencies, Hawaiian Humane Society, Keiko Conservation, TKO Rubbish & Recycling Equipment, and seventeen individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that the prohibitions and penalties established by this measure will help to promote more humane treatment of dogs and other animals.

 

     Your Committee notes the request of The Humane Society of the United States in its written comments in support of this measure with respect to deletion of the words "or in lieu of" from the following amendment to section 711-1109(4), Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 1 of the measure:  "In addition to or in lieu of any penalty authorized for a person convicted of an offense under this section, the court may assess fines, order performance of community service, require mental health counseling, or order attendance at educational classes concerning animal abuse prevention."  Your Committee respectfully requests that this amendment be considered as the measure moves forward in the legislative process.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2072, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair