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Public health, animal-welfare groups urge deferral of bill allowing private killing of mongoose and feral chickens
Summary
Witnesses including animal-welfare and public-health advocates told the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment they oppose HB980 HD1, which would clarify when mongoose and some feral birds may be killed and permit private disposal; the committee deferred decision making to March 17 because it lacked quorum.
A Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment hearing on March 14, 2025 featured strong opposition from animal-welfare and public-health witnesses to HB980 HD1, a bill that would amend state law authorizing the killing of mongoose and clarify circumstances under which feral chickens and other birds may be killed and disposed of by private parties.
The bill drew concerns from public-health and animal-welfare organizations that said permitting untrained private individuals to kill and dispose of birds could worsen disease spread during an ongoing avian influenza outbreak.
Inga Gibson, executive director of Pono Advocacy, told the committee, “This bill essentially puts this into the hands of anyone wanting to kill chickens. It is a really bad measure for public health, for animal welfare.” Gibson cited H5N1 avian influenza and said federal and state authorities have strict biosecurity and disinfection protocols that the public often cannot meet.
Stephanie Kendrick, government-affairs manager for the Hawaiian Humane Society, said the measure risks violating core animal-cruelty protections and urged deferral. “Most of the AVMA techniques...require very close contact with animals. And when we're dealing with an H5N1 outbreak, that seems extremely ill advised,” Kendrick said, and recommended amendments that limit disposal or require compliance with American Veterinary Medical Association standards and notification to public authorities.
The Department of Agriculture registered on its written testimony with comments. The transcript records mixed written support and opposition filings: there were four testimonies in support, seven opposed, and two comments recorded for the measure.
Because the committee did not have a quorum for decisions, hearing chair Senator Mike Gabbard announced that decision making on the entire agenda, including HB980 HD1, was postponed to Monday, March 17 at 1:02 p.m. in Room 224.
The hearing record shows the bill prompted questions about public-health safeguards, who would be authorized to carry out killing and disposal, and how state biosecurity protocols (including AVMA guidance noted by witnesses) would be enforced if private actors were allowed to act. Witnesses who favored the measure argued the change would assist landowners and ranchers in controlling invasive animals, but the transcript contains no final action because of the quorum shortfall.
Decision-making on HB980 HD1 is scheduled for March 17, 2025 at 1:02 p.m.; the committee did not vote on the measure at the March 14 hearing.
