STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3872

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 171

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Government Operations and Judiciary, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 171 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES TO NOTIFY ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS OF DECEASED CATS AND DOGS THAT ARE PICKED UP ALONG STATE AND COUNTY ROADWAYS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request state and county agencies responsible for removing deceased dogs and cats from public roadways to:

(1) Check for, scan, and record the microchip of the deceased dog or cat, along with the location found, descriptive information about the pet, and any contact phone number, name, or address shown on the animal's tag or collar;

(2) Timely notify county animal services or animal service contractors of the deceased dog or cat, including the microchip number, if any, location found, descriptive information about the pet, and any contact phone number, name or address shown on the pet's tag or collar; and

(3) Allow county animal services or animal service contractors to use their staff or volunteers to follow up with the registered pet owners.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from Animal Rights Hawaiʻi, Hawaiian Humane Society, and one individual.

Your Committees find that the state and county agencies responsible for removing deceased dogs and cats from public roadways do not take routine steps to ascertain the animals' owners, if any. Your Committees note that microchipping is one of the safest, most accessible, and most affordable identification tools for pet owners and since January 1, 2022, dog and cat owners in the State are required by law to microchip their pets. This measure will help provide closure for owners who have lost and continue to search for their dog or cat.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Amending its title to reflect its contents; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Government Operations and Judiciary that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 171, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 171, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Government Operations and Judiciary,

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair

________________________________ ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair