STAND. COM. REP. NO.  521

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2023

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1512

      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. 1512 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LIABILITY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to limit the civil liability of good Samaritans who render emergency nonmedical care and emergency nonmedical assistance to animals during an emergency.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Animal Interfaith Alliance in Britain, Hawaiian Humane Society, Animal Legal Defense Fund, and nine individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that animals, particularly companion animals, play an important role in the lives of the State's residents, from providing comfort and companionship as pets to functioning as vital aids and supports for individuals with disabilities.  Your Committee further finds that although the State has taken important steps in promoting the protection of animals, additional measures can be taken to encourage and protect bystanders who are not duly licensed veterinarians who provide nonmedical care or nonmedical assistance to animals in an emergency.  This measure is intended to protect these good Samaritans by limiting their civil liability for damages resulting from their intervention.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (2)  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 Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1512, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1512, 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