STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3047

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2837

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2837, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE SPAYING AND NEUTERING OF ANIMALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to reduce pet overpopulation and the reproduction of free-roaming cats in the State.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Establishes a spay and neuter special fund to fund spaying and neutering surgery and associated veterinary care; and

(2) Allows funds from an income tax check-off to be deposited into the special fund.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from A4A, Aloha Animal Advocates, Animal Interfaith Alliance in Britain, Hawaiian Humane Society, The Humane Society of the United States, Neighborhood Cats, Rainbow Family 808, Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance, American Bird Conservancy, and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Taxation and Tax Foundation of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that overpopulation contributes to animal suffering in Hawaii. Your Committee also finds that spaying and neutering are proven ways to reduce pet overpopulation and euthanasia rates. Your Committee further finds that the humane reduction of the free-roaming cat population is in the interest of cats, wildlife, the environment, and humans.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that, in administering the special fund, priority shall be given to providing funding to organizations that specialize in trap-neuter-release practices;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(3) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2837, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2837, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair