Legislative Update 2018 Session
| Bill | Summary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| HB2498 | Establishes and appropriates funds for one full-time equivalent permanent veterinary medical officer position within the Department of Health. HVMA SUPPORTS. | Failed in Senate |
| HB1823 | Defines emotional support animals and makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly make a misrepresentation regarding a service dog or emotional support animal. | Failed in House |
| HB2060 | Removes the word “Examiners” from the names of the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Board of Dental Examiners, Board of Examiners in Optometry, and Board of Veterinary Examiners. Renames the boards with titles that more accurately reflect their scope and duties. HVMA defers to BVE stance. | Failed in Conference Committee |
| HB2081 SB2566 |
Appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to provide assistance and supplemental funding to the National Wildlife Research Center of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct pilot field studies to evaluate control tools and develop a management plan to reduce the rose-ringed parakeet population on Kauai. | Passed; Sent to Governor |
| HB2270 SB2501 |
Requires the Department of Human Services to establish ohana zones where homeless persons may reside. Appropriates funds. | Failed |
| SB2014 | Requires persons convicted of animal cruelty to register with the attorney general. Requires animal shelters, animal breeders, and pet stores to check whether an individual has been convicted of animal abuse when the individual applies to work or volunteer, or purchases or adopts an animal. Establishes penalties. Prevents persons convicted of animal cruelty from possessing, owning, or working in close proximity to animals. Requires police officers to be trained in identifying and investigating animal abuse. | Failed in Senate |
| SB2289 | Establishes the offense of sexual assault of an animal. Provides for impoundment and forfeiture of a sexually assaulted animal. | Not heard |
| SB2435 HB2593 |
Requires the Department of Health to contract with a nonprofit animal rescue group to oversee caretakers of feral cats. Exempts registered caretakers of feral cats from state laws and county ordinances relating to the feeding and confinement of cats. Establishes a trap-sterilize-return process. | Failed |
| SB2461 | Establishes the offense of “misrepresentation of a service animal”. Changes the term “service dog” to “service animal” and amends the definition of that term to conform with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 | Passed; Signed into law by Governor |
| SB2929 | Establishes the Hawaii spay/neuter council to be administratively attached to the department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Establishes the Hawaii spay/neuter special fund. Imposes a fee on pet food to support the Hawaii spay/neuter grant program to spay and neuter dogs and cats. Makes an appropriation. | Not heard |
| HB2072 | Prohibits certain restraints and tethers that endanger, or deny sustenance, to a dog. Adjusted penalties. | Failed in Conference Committee |
| SB2260 | Requires veterinarians, upon request of the owner of an animal, to make available a copy of any prescription that the veterinarian has previously prescribed the animal free of charge. HVMA OPPOSED. | Deferred by Senate |
Updated May 2018