Hawai’i Senate Bill 593, a bill that seeks to regulate commercial dog breeders by establishing a definition for what constitutes as a dog breeder in Hawai’i, sets a statewide limit law for intact dogs, and establishes standards of care has been scheduled for its first committee hearing on Monday, February 10.
Hawai’i club members and breeders are urged to contact the bill’s author, committee leadership, and committee members. Express your concerns with Senate Bill 593 as introduced and ask them not to put onerous conditions on dog breeders. Scroll down for contact information.
Summary:
Some of the key aspects of Senate Bill 593 are below. For the entire bill click here.
Regulations on Dog Breeders Meeting Certain Criteria:
Defines “dog breeder” as any person who owns, possesses, controls, or otherwise has charge or custody of more than ten dogs over the age of twelve months with intact sexual organs, AND who sells, barters, or otherwise transfers more than three litters or more than twenty-five dogs per calendar year. BOTH criteria must be met in order for the bill to apply to you.
Those who meet this definition would be required to comply with several new requirements, including:
- Prohibition on the ownership or custody of more than thirty dogs over the age of one year with intact sexual organs. AKC is asking for this to be removed, as limit laws are arbitrary and are not a direct reflection on the quality of care animals receive.
- Provide regular exercise as a means of providing the dog with constant and unfettered access to an outdoor or indoor exercise area that provides at least four times the square footage of indoor floor space required for each dog.
- Provide continuous access to potable water.
- Ensure primary enclosures meet certain size and space requirements. Those meeting the definition of “dog breeder” are encouraged to view the bill and review these requirements.
New Provisions for County Enforcement:
- Allow each county to assess the county’s own situation, determine whether the need for regulation exists, and develop appropriate rules for housing and treatment of dogs by dog breeders, if necessary.
- Require each county to assess appropriate license fees for dog breeders and to pursue civil penalties for noncompliant dog breeders. Until and unless otherwise provided by ordinance, the biennial license fee for each dog breeder shall be $500, and the license includes an unannounced county inspection during regular business hours.
- Any county may contract with any society or organization formed for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or similar dog protective organization, for the seizure and impounding of all unlicensed dogs, and for the dogs owned by a dog breeder not in compliance
What You Can Do:
Participate in the committee hearing:
SB 593 is currently scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection Business and Professions on February 10. Hearing information is below if you wish to participate in person; the Legislature is accepting written (needed 24 hours prior to hearing; select you want to submit testimony after creating an account/signing in), videoconference (select you want to testify on Zoom after creating an account/signing in), and in-person testimony at public hearings. A live stream of all Senate Standing Committee meetings will be available on the Senate YouTube Channel:
Date: Monday, February 10, 2025
Time: 9:35 am
Location: Conference Room 229 & Videoconference
State Capitol, 415 South Beretania St.
Contact the Introducer’s Office and the committee members:
It is also important for those impacted to contact the introducer’s office and the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection Business and respectfully express your concerns with SB 593 as introduced. If you are a constituent, be sure to mention that when contacting her office:
Bill introducer: State Senator Sharon Moriwaki (D-HI-012):
(808) 586-6740, senmoriwaki@capitol.hawaii.gov
Committee Members:
Jarrett Keohokalole (Chair) – (808) 587-7215, senkeohokalole@capitol.hawaii.gov
Carol Fukunaga (Vice-Chair) – 808-586-6460, senfukunaga@capitol.hawaii.gov
Angus L.K. McKelvey – 808-586-6070, senmckelvey@capitol.hawaii.gov
Herbert M. “Tim” Richards, III – 808-586-6760, senrichards@capitol.hawaii.gov
Brenton Awa – 808-586-7330, senawa@capitol.hawaii.gov
AKC Government Relations continues to monitor bills in Hawai’i impacting dog owners and will provide updates. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.