HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1721

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to feral animal management.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the imbalance of feral animals in the State is wreaking havoc on the environment, agriculture, and communities.  As incidents of storms and severe drought increase, so will the impact of feral animals.  The populations of wild pigs on Hawaii island, axis deer on Maui, and certain non-native species of birds on Oahu and Kauai are evidence of the growing problem.  The legislature further finds that proactive long-term and short-term measures are needed to address the issue.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Require the department of land and natural resources and department of agriculture to collaborate on the development of a feral animal management plan, and submit a report to the legislature of their findings and recommendations; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds for this purpose.

SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of land and natural resources and department of agriculture shall collaborate to develop a feral animal management plan to manage feral animal populations, mitigate the impacts of feral animals on native habitats and ecosystems, and reduce their disturbance to indigenous species of wildlife and land plants, agriculture, and communities.  A secondary goal of the feral animal management plan shall be to generate a viable source of food to assist in feeding the State's houseless or hungry, although a species' inappropriateness as a food source shall not alone prevent the species from being targeted in the management plan.

     (b)  The feral animal management plan shall:

     (1)  Identify the process by which the feral animals are included to be addressed and prioritized in the management plan;

     (2)  Detail options to manage the identified feral animal populations and species-specific recommendations, to include:

          (A)  A process for determination of sustainable populations;

          (B)  Best management practices for population management, with recommendations for practices that are appropriate for public and private lands with various land uses;

          (C)  Minimization of diseased and starving feral species due to uncontrolled population growth;

          (D)  Programs to assist population management of species that threaten agricultural viability;

          (E)  A program to encourage the beneficial use of carcasses, including retail and nonprofit options for feeding the houseless and hungry, which shall include:

               (i)  Authority and capacity for ante- and post-mortem inspections, slaughtering, and processing of the animals; and

              (ii)  Best management practices for the safe handling of a carcass from the time the animal is caught to the time it is processed;

          (F)  Approaches depending on whether the feral animals are on public or private land, including access agreements, legal authorizations, and liability concerns;

          (G)  Consultation with the office of Hawaiian affairs and the department of Hawaiian home lands when feral animals are on their lands;

          (H)  Practices to reduce reef sedimentation through feral animal management;

          (I)  Milestones and timeframes for management of targeted species, including plans to adapt management goals as needed to keep populations from rebuilding; and

          (J)  The state and county agencies and other collaborators, including federal partners and resources, responsible for each action;

     (3)  Funding mechanisms to support the management plan, including:

          (A)  Sources of seed money to develop and initiate programs;

          (B)  Plans to create public-private partnerships to reduce reliance on public funds;

          (C)  Hunting fees and other cost recovery methods to subsidize costs; and

          (D)  Potential public and private grant funding to facilitate implementation of the plan, such as Clean Water Act funding to assist with practices to reduce reef sedimentation; and

     (4)  Any other matters deemed appropriate by the department of land and natural resources and department of agriculture.

SECTION 3.  The department of land and natural resources and department of agriculture shall submit a report of their findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2023.

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 2022-2023 for the development of the feral animal management plan.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 4 of this Act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 

Report Title:

Feral Animals; Management Plan; Report; DLNR; DOA; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the department of land and natural resources and department of agriculture to collaborate on the development of a feral animal management plan and submit a report of their findings and recommendations to the legislature prior to the regular session of 2023.  Appropriates funds.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.