| 48 | | - | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that feral chickens and roosters have become a persistent nuisance, particularly in suburban and urban residential communities. Feral chickens and roosters wander into yards and gardens, digging up plants, damaging food crops, and jeopardizing native plants and resources. Feral roosters crow at all times of the day and night, which has led to numerous noise complaints by residents throughout the State, and droppings from feral chickens are unsanitary and create a health concern. The legislature further finds that feral chickens and roosters also carry diseases that threaten other animals, including native birds, and a noticeable increase in the number of feral chickens and roosters also creates a road hazard for drivers who must suddenly stop or swerve to avoid them. The legislature further finds that residents and visitors need better education to not exacerbate this problem by feeding feral animals, which leads to further congregation and growth of the nuisance. To protect Hawaii's ecosystem and natural resources and the health and safety of its residents, it is critical that the State work together with the counties to identify and implement collaborative solutions to control the significant increase in the population of feral chickens and roosters. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to: (1) Require the department of agriculture to work with each county to implement feral chicken control programs and feeding of feral animals education campaigns; and (2) Require each county to match the funds expended by the department of agriculture for the implementation of the feral chicken control program and feeding of feral animals education campaign in that county. SECTION 2. (a) The department of agriculture shall work with each county to implement feral chicken control programs and feeding of feral animals education campaigns in each county. (b) Each county shall provide one hundred per cent of matching funds for the amount of funds expended by the department of agriculture for the implementation of the feral chicken control program and feeding of feral animal education campaign in that county. SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024. |
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| 47 | + | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that feral chickens and roosters have become a persistent nuisance, particularly in suburban and urban residential communities. Feral chickens and roosters wander into yards and gardens, digging up plants, damaging food crops, and jeopardizing native plants and resources. Feral roosters crow at all times of the day and night, which has led to numerous noise complaints by residents throughout the State and droppings from feral chickens are unsanitary and create a health concern. The legislature further finds that feral chickens and roosters also carry diseases that threaten other animals, including native birds, and a noticeable increase in the number of feral chickens and roosters also creates a road hazard for drivers who must suddenly stop or swerve to avoid them. The legislature further finds that residents and visitors need better education to not exacerbate this problem by feeding feral animals, which leads to further congregation and growth of the nuisance. To protect Hawaii's ecosystem, natural resources, and the health and safety of its residents, it is critical that the State work together with the counties to identify and implement collaborative solutions to control the significant increase in the population of feral chickens and roosters. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds as a grant-in-aid to each county of the State to implement feral chicken control programs and appropriate funds to the department of health for a feeding of feral animals education campaign. SECTION 2. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that: (1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and (2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act. SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 as a grant-in-aid to each county as follows: (1) $ to the city and county of Honolulu; (2) $ to the county of Hawaii; (3) $ to the county of Maui; and (4) $ to the county of Kauai, for the implementation of a feral chicken control program for each respective county. The sum appropriated shall be expended by each county for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for a feeding of feral animals education campaign. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050. |
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