STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1870

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2021

 

RE:   S.B. No. 969

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 969, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMAL FUR PRODUCTS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Beginning July 1, 2021, prohibit the manufacture or importation for sale of certain animal fur products in the State; and

 

     (2)  Beginning December 1, 2021, prohibit the sale, offer for sale, display for sale, trade, or other distribution of certain animal fur products in the State for monetary or nonmonetary consideration.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Last Chance for Animals, House Rabbit Society, Stella McCartney Ltd, Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, Animal Defenders International, Animal Legal Defense Fund, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, The Humane Society of the United States, H&M, In Defense of Animals, Fur Free Society, and three individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the International Fur Federation ‑ Americas Region, Natural Fibers Alliance, Fur Commission USA, National Trappers Association, Retail Merchants of Hawaii, and six individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Removing the preamble;

 

     (2)  Delaying the implementation of the prohibition on the manufacture or importation for sale of certain animal fur products in the State to January 1, 2022;

 

     (3)  Deleting the prohibition against the sale, offer for sale, display for sale, trade, or other distribution of certain animal fur products in the State for monetary or nonmonetary consideration;

 

     (4)  Deleting language providing for the penalties and enforcement of violations of the animal fur products chapter, and instead specifying that a violation of the chapter is a misdemeanor;

 

     (5)  Deleting language requiring the Department of the Attorney General to adopt rules and collaborate with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to develop and disseminate informational documents to educate and inform retail merchants and suppliers on the animal fur products chapter; and

 

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

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 969, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 969, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair