Hawaii House Bill HB227

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/23
• Refer: 1/25/23

Caption

Relating To Feral Chicken Control.

Impact

To effectively manage the feral chicken population, HB227 appropriates funds from the general revenues of the State to the Department of Health. This funding is aimed at facilitating a structured response to the feral chicken issue, ensuring that the department can establish a complaint hotline for residents. This hotline would encourage public reporting of complaints relating to the nuisances and health threats posed by the feral chickens, enabling targeted removal of these animals where necessary. This initiative reflects an effort to enhance public health and safety while respecting community concerns regarding the invasive chickens.

Summary

House Bill 227 (HB227) focuses on addressing the growing issue of feral chickens in Hawaii. The legislative intent is grounded in concerns that the feral chicken population has surged to unacceptable levels, causing various nuisances such as trespassing in yards, damaging food crops, and posing health hazards to communities. The bill articulates that these chickens not only disturb suburban and urban areas but also threaten native Hawaiian species through disease transmission and contribute to unsafe driving conditions due to unexpected encounters on roads.

Contention

Discussion around HB227 highlights a range of opinions regarding the best approach to dealing with feral chickens. While the bill is designed as a direct response to local frustrations and health concerns, there may be debates on the methods of implementation and the ethical implications of animal control measures. Some community members may advocate for more humane approaches, while others may prioritize immediate removal efforts due to the pressing nature of the issues caused by the feral chicken population. This dichotomy may create points of contention among stakeholders, policymakers, and advocacy groups inspired by animal welfare considerations.