STAND. COM. REP. NO. 606

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1513

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 1513 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO UNATTENDED ANIMALS IN MOTOR VEHICLES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish good Samaritan protections for bystanders who rescue animals that have been left unattended in motor vehicles.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Animal Rights Hawai‘i, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Animal Legal Defense Fund, and six individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Insurers Council and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaiian Humane Society and Pacific Pet Alliance.

Your Committee finds that hundreds of pets tragically lose their lives when their owners leave them alone in parked vehicles in extreme temperatures. Your Committee further finds that to encourage bystanders to take immediate action and render necessary aid, fourteen states have enacted good Samaritan laws to limit the liability of private citizens who rescue animals that have been left unattended in motor vehicles.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1513, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1513, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair