STAND. COM. REP. NO.  723-18

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2018

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2072

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 2072 entitled:

 

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

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to enhance the offense of cruelty to animals in the second degree to protect animals from cruel treatment by:

 

(1)  Specifying additional conduct that constitutes the offense of cruelty to animals in the second degree, including:

 

(A)  Depriving a pet animal of necessary sustenance, includes inadequate shelter; and

 

(B)  Using a trolley, pulley, cable, or running line designed to attach a dog to two stationary objects, depending on the age of the dog and the restraint's configuration, length, size, weight, and nature; and

 

(2)  If nine or less pet animals are involved in one instance, making it a petty misdemeanor with escalating fines, education and community service requirements, and term of imprisonment for repeat convictions of the offense.

 

     The Humane Society of the United States, Hawaiian Humane Society, West Hawaii Humane Society, Hawaii Association of Animal Welfare Agencies, Sierra Club of Hawaii, Windward Dog Park Hui, Osolicious Orchards, For Forgotten Felines Inc, Hui Pono Holoholona, Aloha Animal Advocates, and numerous concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Pacific Pet Alliance provided comments.

 

     The Humane Society of the United States and Hawaiian Humane Society expressed a number of concerns regarding this measure and proposed amendments to the measure to address those concerns.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 2150, to encourage further discussion.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2072, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2072, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair