STAND. COM. REP. NO. 298-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2058

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2058 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DANGEROUS DOGS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Define what constitutes a dangerous dog; and

(2) Establish requirements and penalties for owners of dangerous dogs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one member of the Hawaiʻi County Council; Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiian Humane Society; Aloha Animal Advocates; Animal Interfaith Alliance in Britain; Hawaiʻi Animal Welfare Association; Americans for Democratic Action; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General; American Kennel Club; Pacific Pet Alliance; and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that there have been growing concerns surrounding dangerous dog attacks across the State. This measure would establish statewide requirements and penalties, including felony penalties, for the owners of dangerous dogs.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Allowing the owner of a dog declared to be a dangerous dog to initiate a contested case regarding the declaration;

(2) Establishing requirements for the leash and muzzle that must be used with a dangerous dog;

(3) Requiring the animal control authority to provide owners of dangerous dogs with signs for placement on the owner's premises;

(4) Amending the provisions related to the impoundment of a dangerous dog;

(5) Changing the effective date to January 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; 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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2058, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2058, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair