STAND. COM. REP. NO.  605

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2023

 

RE:   H.B. No. 695

      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. 695 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FENCES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to allow the use of battery-charged security fences under certain circumstances.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Amarok, and Penske Truck Leasing.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.

 

     Your Committee finds that battery-charged security fences are an effective tool to deter and prevent theft, vandalism, and trespassing not only in agriculture but also in other industries.  Your Committee further finds that this measure was intended to explicitly allow the use of battery-charged security fences under certain circumstances so that counties may grant permits for these fences, which would help deter theft and crime.  However, your Committee heard concerns that by placing certain conditions on the use of battery-charged security fences, this measure may actually hinder certain agricultural businesses that already use electric fences to manage livestock without issue.

 

     Your Committee has therefore amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Clarifying that this measure applies only to battery-charged security fences used for non-agricultural purposes; and

 

     (2)  Changing its 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. 695, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 695, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair