Bill Text: HI HR35 | 2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Department of Agriculture; Animal Quarantine Branch; Status Report
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 13-1)
Status: (Passed) 2015-04-09 - Resolution adopted in final form. [HR35 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2015-HR35-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.R. NO. |
35 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT TO assess CURRENT operations and procedures AT THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE's ANIMAL QUARANTINE STATION.
WHEREAS, for more than 100 years, the Department of Agriculture, through its animal quarantine station program, has kept Hawaii free of rabies; and
WHEREAS, current Department of Agriculture rules require dogs, cats, and other carnivores originating from the United States and other non-exempted areas, upon arrival in the State, to be confined to the quarantine station for a period up to 120 days to prevent the introduction of rabies; and
WHEREAS, members of the United States military, some of whom have received assignments to Hawaii without sufficient time to comply with the Department of Agriculture's pre-entry requirements to avoid subjecting their pets to quarantine confinement, have expressed concern about this policy; and
WHEREAS, long-standing concerns relate to the animal quarantine station facilities, including cement floors that may harbor bacteria, absence of air conditioning, size of the animal pens, and exposure levels of direct sunlight and heat for long periods of time; and
WHEREAS, concerns have also been raised about the sensitivity levels of animal quarantine facility employees and the need for ongoing training since employees are tasked to be the caretakers and are in frequent, direct contact with quarantined animals; and
WHEREAS, there are international models that incorporate modern approaches to animal quarantine facilities and procedures, such as those employed in facilities in Melbourne, Australia, and Singapore; and
WHEREAS, recently, individuals whose animals have been held at the quarantine station for varying periods feel that there is a need and have petitioned the Department of Agriculture to review the State's quarantine rules; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2015, that the Auditor is requested to conduct an audit to assess the current operations and procedures at the Department of Agriculture's animal quarantine station, including:
(1) The pattern and structure of revenues generated from user fees;
(2) The uses and purposes of the user fees;
(3) The amount and source of funds expended on improvements to quarantine facilities for the last ten years; and
(4) Recommendations for improvements to the quarantine facilities and procedures, including those based on national or international models; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2016, including any proposed legislation to effectuate and implement the current science on controlling rabies in the animal quarantine station facilities and procedures; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor encourage and support transparency and good government by contacting and consulting stakeholders who express an interest in providing relevant input in the audit of the Department of Agriculture's animal quarantine station; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Auditor, Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, Program Manager of the Animal Quarantine Branch, and the Joint Base Commander of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
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OFFERED BY: |
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Department of Agriculture; Animal Quarantine Branch; State Audit
