STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1512-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 1023

S.D. 1

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Culture & Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 1023, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE SPAYING AND NEUTERING OF ANIMALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish and appropriate funds into and out of a Spay and Neuter Special Fund as a grant-in-aid to the counties to reduce pet overpopulation and the reproduction of free-roaming cats; and

(2) Establish various revenue and fundraising sources for the Special Fund.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiian Humane Society and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the American Bird Conservancy and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Taxation; Department of the Attorney General; and Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that animal overpopulation in Hawaii contributes to increased animal suffering, strain on shelter systems, and negative impacts on wildlife, the environment, and public health. Your Committee also finds that spaying and neutering are widely recognized as effective and humane methods to reduce pet overpopulation and the number of free-roaming cats. By establishing a Spay and Neuter Special Fund, this measure promotes responsible animal population control and advances the well-being of animals and communities statewide.

Your Committee further finds that H.B. No. 1736, H.D. 2 (Regular Session of 2026), was previously passed by the House.

Your Committee has amended this measure by deleting its contents and inserting the contents of H.B. No. 1736, H.D. 2, a measure that:

(1) Establishes the Spay and Neuter Special Fund to reduce pet overpopulation, including the free-roaming cat population, and authorizes an income tax designation to provide revenues for the Special Fund;

(2) Requires cats over the age of five months to be surgically sterilized, unless covered by an intact cat declaration, and conditions the importation of intact cats on state and county declaration requirements, with certain exceptions; and

(3) Appropriates funds into and out of the Spay and Neuter Special Fund to reduce pet overpopulation.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Culture & Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1023, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1023, S.D. 1, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Culture & Arts,

____________________________

JEANNE KAPELA, Chair