STAND. COM. REP. NO. 331-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2152

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 2152 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DOG ATTACKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify owner liability and increase the penalties and enforcement mechanisms for dog attacks on livestock.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Kaʻala Farm Inc.; Hawaiʻi Sheep and Goat Association; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaiian Humane Society and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Insurers Council.

Your Committee finds that livestock production is an important contributor to Hawaii's economy, food security, and land stewardship. Your Committee further finds that uncontrolled dogs often attack, harass, injure, or kill livestock, causing significant financial losses and emotional impacts for livestock producers. This measure increases penalties and enforcement mechanisms relating to dog attacks on livestock to ensure dog owners maintain control of their animals and are held accountable when attacks occur.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that dog owners may be liable for dog attacks on livestock and dogs may be destroyed for attacks on livestock if the attacks on livestock occurred on land or premises within the agricultural district;

(2) Removing language that would have allowed a dog to be destroyed if the dog is found in the act of persistently pursuing or harassing livestock;

(3) Deleting language that would have required a person to have proof that conclusively shows that a dog has been recently engaged in injuring or destroying livestock prior to the person destroying the dog;

(4) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider the concerns raised by the Hawaii Insurers Council regarding the unintended insurance consequences to expanding tort actions against owners of dogs.

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. 2152, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2152, 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,

____________________________

CORY CHUN, Chair