STAND. COM. REP. NO.  355-12

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2726

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2726 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to reduce pet overpopulation and support the benefits of pet population control in the State by establishing:

 

(1)  The Spay and Neuter Special Fund into which funds from an income tax check-off will be deposited; and

 

(2)  An advisory committee to assist the Department of Budget and Finance in establishing eligibility criteria and procedures for disbursement from the Spay and Neuter Special Fund.

 

     The Humane Society of the United States, Hawaiian Humane Society, Boxer Club of Hawaii, Equine 808 Horse Rescue, Hui Pono Holoholona, Hawaii Cat Foundation, Three Ring Ranch, and numerous individuals testified in support of the measure.  The Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Taxation, and Tax Foundation of Hawaii commented on the measure.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by specifying that the members of the advisory committee shall serve on a voluntary basis and without compensation.  

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2726, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2726, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

 

 

		____________________________ RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair