STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3415

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.C.R. No. 71

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 71 entitled:

 

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THIS BODY TO INTRODUCE AND PASS LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH STRICT LIABILITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO KEEP, HARBOR, OR FEED CERTAIN ANIMALS IN A MANNER THAT RESULTS IN DAMAGE TO PROPERTY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Legislature to introduce and pass legislation establishing strict liability for individuals who keep, harbor, or feed chickens, ungulates, or felids in a manner that results in the animals damaging the property of another individual.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and Department of Customer Services of the City and County of Honolulu.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Animal Rights Hawaiʻi and two individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that undomesticated chickens, ungulates, and felids are frequently the cause of excessive noise, sanitation issues, other pest proliferation, and harm to public facilities and local communities.  Despite their ability to damage gardens, landscaping, and private property, there is currently no existing state law that addresses the damage caused by these feral population that are intentionally kept, harbored, or fed by individuals.  This measure represents significant progress towards resolving a decades long, statewide problem.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 71 and recommends its adoption.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

 

 

 

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair