HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0022.113 2004-2006 BBB Jfl~'OBS~/V w p Phone No.: (808) 961-8263
Council Member r~;U;'~~"d!4p Fax No.: (808) 961-8912
E-Mail: Jacobs@hgea.org
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HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawaii
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 109
Hilo, Hawai `i 96720
TO: Chair Stacy Higa and Members of the Hawaii County Council
FROM: Bob Jacobson +I ~ jf'
Council Member and ir, blic Safety and Parks and Recreation Committee
DATE: March 8, 2006
SUBJECT: Animal Legislation
This is to explain the process by which the Public Safety and Parks and Recreation Committee
(PSPRC) will be moving forward to consider legislation regarding animals.
The goal is committee work on Chapter 4, one piece per meeting across approximately the next 5
meetings; and then one bill, with all amendments to Chapter 4, forwarded to Council.
What is required to accomplish this goal is a workable process by which (approximately 5)
"pieces" can be placed on the PSPRC agenda one piece at a time, to be followed by Committee
referral to Council on Bi114, amending the entire chapter.
On March 6, Council District staff met with Legislative Research Branch staff, the Deputy
County Clerk, and the County Clerk regarding said process. Of various possibilities discussed, I
recommend the process described below as the most transparent and straight forward.
Using Bi114 (Draft 6), PSPRC will undertake a workshop process in its regularly scheduled
meetings, in which pieces of Bi114 (Drafr 6) are on the agenda. For example, the table on the
following page outlines pieces of Bi114 (Drafr 6) to divide the tasks of drafting and committee
work more or less equally, along with respective anticipated dates for consideration on the
PSPRC agenda.
Such a process provides an opportunity for public testimony and committee debate to focus on
specific pieces of the broader legislation. It also provides those committee members desiring to
do so an opportunity to offer amendments to Bill 4.
The outcomes from each of the PSPRC meetings will be collated by staff, distributed to
committee members, and brought together in a single Bill 4 (Drafr 7) on the PSPRC agenda, for
public testimony, committee debate, and recommendation to Council.
Comm. No. Z.Z . ~ ~3
Ref. To:^~P5''P~2G
District 6 -Upper Puna, Ka `u, and South Kona Rl~r ~10t0 1"~
Hawaii Counfy /s An Equal Opportunity Provider And Employer
Public Safety and Parks and Recreation Committee Agenda items, and approximate dates,
for Chapter 4, "Auimals", Hawaii County Code
Date Provisions
(Approximate)
Article 5. Enforcement.
Apri14, 2006 Article 6. Dog, Cat, and Animal Pounds.
Article 7. Spay-neuter Special Fund.
Article 3. Farm Animals.
April 18, 2006 Article 4. Animals.
Article 2. Dogs.
May 2, 2006 Division 1. License Reguired
Division 2. Leash & Confinement Requirements.
Article 2. Dogs. (continued)
May 16, 2006 Division 3. Stray Dogs.
Division 4. Noisy Dogs.
Division 5. Dangerous Dogs.
Article 1. Administrative Provisions.
June 6, 2006 Section 4-1. Definitions
Article 8. State Law Reference and Severability.
June 20, 2006 Bi114 (Draft 7)
Finally, in an effort to progress work on this important legislation and in the interest of orderly
Committee proceedings, at the March 21 PSPRC meeting, I will ask for a motion to close file on
Bi114 (Draft 5) and all related communications (numbering over 100 items). With Bill 4 (Draft
5) and all related communications filed, the committee's attention can be directed entirely to the
work at hand: drafting legislation that ensures public safety and humane treatment of animals. As
with any communications on which the file is closed, these communications will remain a part of
the official Council record for consideration as the Committee moves forward with its work on
legislation regarding animals.
Should you have any questions, please call me.
att.
BJ/jw
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