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 the objective by deleting “through quarantine of cats, dogs and other carnivores entering the State”; (2) Change definitions by: (a) Deleting “Annual vaccine,” “Triennial vaccine,” “monovalent,” and “Office of International Epizooties – fluorescent antibody viral neutralization test”; (b) Adding “Booster interval,” “HRS,” “OIE – rabies virus antibody test,” “Neighbor island” and “Neighbor Island Inspection Permit”; (c) Expanding the definition of “international unit” and “rabies vaccine”; and (d) Correcting the HRS citation under “Parking placard”; (3) Apply changes made in the objective and definitions sections throughout the Chapter for consistency; (4) Add carrier responsibility, requirements and procedures regarding Neighbor island Inspection Permits; (5) Reduce the minimum interval between rabies vaccinations from 90 days to 30 days; (6) Allow other rabies antibody blood tests to be used for 5-day or less qualification; (7) Require dogs and cats in quarantine beyond 45 days gestation to be confined at an approved veterinary hospital; (8) Delete the retroactive fee reduction for dogs and cats that were in quarantine from July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2001; (9) Change vaccination, blood test requirements for guide and service dogs for consistency with amendments proposed for pet dogs and cats; (10) Add a reduced fee for issuing neighbor island inspection permits by the Department to arrive at neighbor island airports; and
(11) Make other changes for simplification, clarity or to correct grammar and punctuation.

In addition, the Department will also be taking testimony on replacing “one month” with “thirty days” and adding “prior to arrival” after “the vaccine’s licensed booster interval listed on the manufacturer’s label”. These amendments are for clarification and apply to §4 29 8.1 and §4 29 8.2.

The schedule of public hearings on the proposed rules is as follows:

June 2, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
Department of Agriculture Conference Room
4398A Pua Loke Street, Lihue, Kauai

June 3, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
Department of Agriculture, Plant Quarantine Conference Room
1849 Auiki Street, Honolulu, Oahu

June 4, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
Department of Agriculture Conference Room
635 Mua Street, Kahului, Maui

June 5, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
Kona Civic Center Conference Room
82-6130 Mamalahoa Hwy., Bldg. 2
Capt. Cook, Hawaii

June 6, 2008, 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 during normal business hours 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 upon receipt of a fee for photocopying and postage.

The Department of Agriculture will also accept written testimony until June 13, 2008 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 in advance. This request may be made in writing to one of the addresses listed above or by calling (808) 483-7103.