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GM 1214

Informing the Legislature that on June 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2152 HD2 SD2 CD1 (ACT 114).

2026 Regular Session

The law makes dog owners liable for twice the value of livestock damaged and allows livestock owners to destroy a dog injuring animals, with penalties for noncompliance.

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Bill Summary · GM 1214

Overview

GM 1214 (HB 2152, CD1) reflects the Governor’s confirmation that HB 2152, HD 2, SD 2, CD 1, titled Relating to Dog Attacks, was signed into law as Act 114 on June 8, 2026. The act strengthens penalties and enforcement related to dogs that attack livestock within Hawaii’s agricultural districts.

Purpose and intent

  • Recognize the importance of livestock production to Hawaii’s economy, food security, and land stewardship.
  • Address the impact of dog attacks on livestock by increasing accountability of dog owners and enhancing enforcement mechanisms.
  • Draw on a model from California’s strict liability approach to dog attacks on livestock.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 2 – Habits of repeat offenders:

    • Redefines “habitual agricultural crime perpetrator” for purposes of agricultural dog-related offenses.
    • A person is a habitual offender if they have:
    • Three or more prior convictions for offenses under the relevant chapter within five years, or
    • Four or more liability findings under section 142-74, with each finding tied to separate incidents on separate dates.
    • Prosecution may rely on these prior convictions/liability findings without proving a specific state of mind.

  • Section 3 – Liability and destruction provisions:

    • Liability for dog owners: if a dog injures or destroys livestock or other property on agricultural land without owner consent, the owner is liable for twice the value of the property damaged.
    • Right to destroy a harassing dog: livestock owners, their agents, or family members may destroy a dog actively injuring or persistently harassing livestock on agricultural land not owned by the dog’s owner, with no civil/criminal action for destruction.
    • Post-incident action: dog owners must confine or destroy the dog after an incident; failure to do so can lead to a misdemeanor conviction, minimum $1,000 fine, and court costs. The livestock owner may lawfully destroy the dog if needed.
    • If the dog is not destroyed and further damages occur, the dog’s owner may face civil actions, and a judge may order humane euthanization of the dog.
    • Counties may enact ordinances regulating dogs that injure or destroy another’s livestock, provided such ordinances do not invalidate civil liability protections.
    • Destruction methods must be humane and reasonable under the circumstances.

  • Section 4 – Savings clause:
    Existing rights, duties, penalties, and proceedings in effect before the act remain unaffected.

  • Section 6 – Effective date:
    The act takes effect upon approval.

Who is affected

  • Dog owners in Hawaii, especially those with dogs in or near agricultural districts.
  • Livestock producers and their agents/families.
  • County governments that may enact related ordinances.
  • Legal and enforcement bodies handling livestock damage and dog-related offenses.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Signed into law: June 8, 2026 (Act 114).
  • Effective date: upon approval (immediate effect following the Governor’s signature).
  • The act amends sections of Hawaii Revised Statutes, including provisions related to liability for dog-caused livestock damage and enforcement remedies.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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