Bill Text: HI SB1194 | 2012 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Veterinary Medicine; License; Penalties

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-12-01 - Carried over to 2012 Regular Session. [SB1194 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2012-SB1194-Amended.html

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 24

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1194

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 1194 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VETERINARY MEDICINE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase the level of offense for practicing veterinary medicine without a license in order to strengthen enforcement of the existing prohibition.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Boxer Club of Hawaii, Poi Dogs & Popoki, and one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Board of Veterinary Examiners.

 

     Your Committee finds that the current classification of the offense of practicing veterinary medicine without a license as a misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of $500 and six months imprisonment is insufficient to provide effective deterrence or to promote consistent enforcement.  Unfortunately, your Committee further finds that some unlicensed persons in the State do perform veterinary procedures including ear and tail bobbing, spay or neutering, and even voice box removal under conditions and in a manner that is inhumane, unsanitary, and unethical.  Your Committee also finds that increasing the classification of the offense of practicing veterinary medicine without a license to a class C felony will increase the maximum available penalty to over one year imprisonment, therefore increasing both the incentive to prosecute and the deterrent effect of the penalty.  Finally, your Committee notes that the change in classification of the offense effectuated by this measure makes the classification of practicing veterinary medicine without a license consistent with the classification of animal cruelty in the first degree, which involves similar conduct.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1194 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Labor.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

 

		____________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair