HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 293 11/07/2002 2000-2002 REPORT OF TILE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: November 7, 2002 Re: Comm. No. 796/Bill No. 277
PLACE: Council Chambers
T1ME: 10:30 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 277. reports as follows:
Bill No. 277, transmitted by Council Member Nancy Pisicchio, via Communication No. 796,
dated October 24, 2002, amends Chapter 4, Hawaii County Code 1983 (l 995 Edition), relating
to animals and the regulation of dangerous dogs.
This measure proposes to adopt provisions for the regulation of dogs after injury is inflicted by a
dog upon a person or other animal. This measure also removes potential conflicts between the
county's dangerous dog ordinance and the provisions of state statute.
Prior to 2001, state law allowed the imposition of conditions on vicious or dangerous dogs only
after two bites had occurred. Act 222, Session Laws of Hawaii 2001 eliminated the "two bite"
minimum and enabled the counties to adopt their own dangerous dog laws. Specifically. Act 222
authorized the counties, in part, to enact and enforce ordinances "regulating persons who own,
harbor, or keep any dog that has bitten, injured, or maimed a person"' or "injured. maimed. or
destroyed an animal belonging to another person," provided the ordinances are consistent with
state law.
Your Committee heard testimony in favor of the measure from Jane Herbst and Rene Siracusa.
At the meeting Council Member Nancy Pisicchio submitted Bill No. 277. Draft 2, which
proposed amendments based upon additional comments received from the Police Department.
Prosecuting Attorney's Office and the Finance Department to address enforcement and
prosecution issues.
During its discussion of Bill No. 277. an amendment was made to delete the words "or offense"
in Section 4-1(p) (2).
FC REPORT NO. 293
Your Committee Chair will also he requesting that the Office of Corporation Counsel clarify
language referred to in Section 4-I (p) (3) (teasing) prior to the next Council meeting.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of~Bill No. 277, as amended
to Draft 3, and recommends it pass first reading.
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,wES noes Respectfully submitted
CHUNG X
PlslccHlo x COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
ARAKAKI X
ELARIONOFF }t
JACOBSON
LEITHEAD-TODD X
SAFARIK x AARON S.Y. CHt1NG, C AIR
TYLER X FC REPORT NO. 293
YAGONG X ADOPTED: NOV 2 (7 7~Q~