NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Proposed Amendments to Administrative Rules
for Rabies Quarantine Program
Pursuant to Chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (Department) will hold public hearings to receive testimony on proposed amendments to chapter 4-29, Hawaii Administrative Rules, entitled "Dogs, Cats, and Other Carnivores."
Chapter 4-29, HAR is being amended to:
(1) Change definitions by: (a) simplifying the definitions "Animals", Board", Chairperson", "Department", "Groomer" and "Guest"; (b) amending "Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility", "Service Dog" and "User"; (c) adding the definitions "Current", "Eligibility Date", "Eligible Date", "Qualification Date", "Safeguard", "Service Animal" and "Veterinary Hospital"; (d) clarifying "designated address";
(2) Clarify "Oahu";
(3) Clarify procedures for carriers;
(4) Clarify "islands" concerning transiting private and commercial vessel responsibility;
(5) Reduce the minimum time required: (a) from the most recently administered rabies vaccine before arrival from 90 days to 30 days; (b) from a successful OIE-RVA test before arrival in Hawaii from 120 to 30 days;
(6) Require only the current rabies vaccination’s product name, booster interval, and date of vaccination be listed on the health certificate;
(7) Require owners to register their pet’s microchip number with the local county humane society or local animal welfare organization;
(8) Simplify a term from "early release" to "release";
(9) Add a new subsection to establish requirements for the importation of cloned animals derived from a pet donor originating in Hawaii;
(10) Clarify Guam as a "US territory" and replace "Hawaii" with "those of the state";
(11) Clarify, as pertaining to the State animal quarantine station: (a) movement of animals; (b) authority of the Animal Industry Division Administrator; (c) denying entrance into quarantine stations; and (d) the authority of station veterinarians to refer an animal to a veterinary facility for diagnostics and treatment not available at the station with or without owner authorization when in the best interest of the animal;
(12) Reduce the time period when an animal is considered abandoned in quarantine;
(13) Change fees in Section 4-29-17 for five-day or less quarantine, direct airport release; neighbor island inspection permit and re-entry;
(14) Repeal section 4-29-15 relating to use of an "apartment" on the Animal Quarantine Station that is not serviceable as a dwelling;
(15) Change "service dog" to "service animal" to reflect current Federal ADA language in Sections 4-29-15.1, 4-29-20, 4-29-21, 4-29-22, 4-29-23, 4-29-24 and 4-29-26, HAR; and
(16) Other minor changes proposed throughout the Chapter to correct grammar, punctuation and clarification.
The schedule of public hearings on the proposed rules is as follows:
April 2, 2018, at 10:00 a.m.
Department of Agriculture Conference Room
4398A Pua Loke Street, Lihue, Kauai
April 3, 2018, at 10:00 a.m.
Department of Agriculture, Plant Quarantine Conference Room
1849 Auiki Street, Honolulu, Oahu
April 4, 2018, at 10:00 a.m.
Department of Agriculture Conference Room
635 Mua Street, Kahului, Maui
April 5, 2018, at 10:00 a.m.
Kona Civic Center Conference Room
82-6130 Mamalahoa Hwy., Bldg. 2
Capt. Cook, Hawaii
April 6, 2018, at 10:00 a.m.
State Office Building, Conference Room C
75 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii
All interested parties are urged to attend the hearings and submit comments or testimony orally or in writing. Copies of the proposed rules may be reviewed by accessing the Department’s website at www.hawaii.gov/hdoa/Info/proposedrules or in person, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 7:45 a.m. until 4:15 p.m., at the following Department of Agriculture offices:
Oahu 99-941 Halawa Valley Street, Aiea, HI 96701
(Phone — 483-7100)
99-951 Halawa Valley Street, Aiea, HI 96701
(Phone — 483-7151)
1428 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96814
(Phone — 483-7100)
Kauai 4398A Pua Loke Street, Lihue, HI 96766
(Phone — 274-3069)
Maui 635 Mua Street, Kahului, HI 96732
(Phone — 873-3555)
Hawaii 75 Aupuni Street, Hilo, HI 96720
(Phone — 974 6500)
Kona Civic Center, Rm. 3,
82-6130 Mamalahoa Hwy., Capt Cook, HI 96704
(Phone – 974-6500)
Copies of the proposed rules may also be obtained at the above offices by paying a fee for photocopying or may be sent by mail to any person who requests a copy upon receipt of a fee for photocopying and postage. Requests for mailed copies of proposed rules should be sent in writing to Division of Animal Industry, 99-941 Halawa Valley Street, Aiea, Hawaii 96701 or by calling (808) 483 -7100.
The Department of Agriculture will also accept written testimony until April 13, 2018 at the Department of Agriculture, 1428 South King St., Honolulu, HI 96814 2512 or via e-mail to HDOA.BOARD.TESTIMONY@HAWAII.GOV
Special accommodations, such as sign language interpretation, large printing, taped materials, and accessible parking, can be provided if requested at least seven (7) business days prior to the scheduled hearing. This request may be made in writing to one of the addresses listed above or by calling (808) 483-7100.
State of Hawaii
BOARD OF AGRICULTURE
SCOTT E. ENRIGHT, Chairperson
(TGI1077521 3/1/18)
