Department of Agriculture

GOVERNOR LINGLE SIGNS QUARANTINE ADMINISTRATIVE RULES CHANGES

Proposed Fee Structure Under Review by Department of Agriculture

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today signed proposed administrative rules changes to Hawai`i’s quarantine laws, a move that allows the state Board of Agriculture to hold a public hearing on the proposed changes.  However, in signing the changes, the Governor expressed disagreement with the proposed fee structure, which she said is too high.

“The proposed fees are too high,” said Governor Lingle.  “In cases where pets must be quarantined, the state’s goal should be to cover actual costs, rather than to make a profit.”

The Board of Agriculture will hold public hearings on the proposed rules changes, including the fee structure.  The Governor’s signature was needed before the proposed changes, which were developed by the previous administration, could advance to public hearings.

“I’ve instructed my department to review the proposed fees and to determine a fair and appropriate cost structure for quarantine services,” said Board of Agriculture Chairperson Sandra Lee Kunimoto.  “We are in favor of moving toward reducing the quarantine period to no more than five days, with the 120-day waiting period, but the fees that had been proposed seem excessive.  We believe that through our review, we will come up with a more reasonable fee structure to present to the board.”

The proposed rules changes are separate from a legislative quarantine bill (SB1531) introduced this year.

For more information, contact:

Janelle Saneishi
Public Information Officer
Hawaii Department of Agriculture
Phone: (808) 973-9560
To E-mail, click here