STAND. COM. REP. NO. 723

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1023

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1023, 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 help reduce pet overpopulation and the reproduction of free-roaming cats by establishing and providing revenue sources for a spay and neuter special fund.

More specifically, the measure:

(1) Establishes a spay and neuter special fund to be administered by the Department of Budget and Finance for funding spaying and neutering surgeries and associated veterinary care;

(2) Establishes an advisory committee to assist the Department of Budget and Finance in developing eligibility criteria and procedures for the disbursement of moneys from the special fund;

(3) Allows each taxpayer to designate $5 of the taxpayer's income tax refund for deposit into the spay and neuter special fund;

(4) Requires the directors of finance for the counties to design and issue a special number plate for registered motor vehicles to raise moneys for the spay and neuter special fund; and

(5) Appropriates moneys into and out of the special fund.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Humane Society of the United States, Hawaiian Humane Society, and three individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from two individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Attorney General, Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Taxation, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Tax Foundation of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that reducing unwanted pet and free-roaming cat overpopulation by assisting with the costs of spaying and neutering these animals will help prevent surplus animal births, lower the cost of animal control efforts, address public health concerns, and decrease threats to the State's wildlife.

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. 1023, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair