STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2203

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2565

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2565 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATED TO PUBLIC PARKS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Prohibit counties from prohibiting leashed dogs in public parks; and

(2) Establish penalties for leaving dog excrement on public or private property.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiian Humane Society, Animal Interfaith Alliance in Britain, one member of the Maui County Council, and eighteen individuals.

Your Committees find that fewer than half of Oahu's county parks allow leashed dogs. According to testimony received by your Committees, there is significant confusion about leash laws and many dog owners have expressed frustration at the lack of consistency through the State. This measure will improve uniformity in leash laws and increase park access for dogs, while promoting responsible dog ownership by requiring dogs in public parks to be leashed and establishing litter fines for pet owners who do not clean up after their dogs.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2565 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Health and Human Services,

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair