Hawaii Senate Bill SB961

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/23
• Refer: 1/27/23

Caption

Relating To Feral Chicken Control.

Impact

The bill proposes to allocate necessary funds from the general revenues of the State for the Department of Health. The appropriation covers fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025, enabling the department to establish and maintain a feral chicken complaint hotline. This hotline would allow residents to report nuisances and health hazards related to feral chickens, facilitating a streamlined response for their removal. The initiative is aimed at improving community health and environmental conditions by managing the feral chicken population more effectively.

Summary

SB961 is a legislative bill aimed at addressing the issue of feral chickens in the State of Hawaii. The bill identifies the growing feral chicken population as a significant nuisance with health implications, including noise disturbances, damage to gardens and crops, and the potential for disease transmission. Feral chickens are particularly problematic in urban and suburban areas, where they pose risks to both property and public safety. The bill articulates the legislature's concern over these issues and seeks to provide solutions through state intervention.

Contention

While the bill appears straightforward in its goal to control the feral chicken population, it may face opposition from those concerned about how such measures might be implemented. Specific points of contention could revolve around the ethical treatment of feral animals, as well as the potential for overreach in animal control practices. Additionally, the reliance on private entities to assist the Department of Health in managing the chicken population could raise questions about accountability and effectiveness in implementing the provisions outlined in the bill.