Committee passes HB 364 with amendments to spay/neuter rules and advisory-fund placement

The House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce on Jan. 29 voted to pass House Bill 364, a measure to expand spay/neuter programs for cats and create a special fund to support sterilization and related services, adopting several technical amendments recommended during testimony.

Sponsors and numerous animal‑welfare and conservation organizations voiced strong support. Grant Sizemore of the American Bird Conservancy said the bill would "turn off the tap of unintended pet cat reproduction" and reduce predation on threatened and endangered wildlife. Stephanie Kendrick of the Hawaiian Humane Society said the measure enjoys "overwhelming support from both our conservation community and our animal welfare community," but urged the committee to allow funds to support trap‑neuter‑return management as well as pet sterilization to achieve greater impact.

Veterinary experts urged a technical amendment on timing for sterilization. Carrie Shahan, executive officer of the Hawaii Board of Veterinary Medicine, recommended changing the required age for sterilization of male cats from 3 months to 5 months (or alternatively a minimum weight and tooth-eruption trigger), citing concerns about early neutering and urinary tract risks in males. The committee adopted the board's recommended change for male cats while retaining the 3‑month threshold for females.

The committee also adopted the Attorney General's recommended language to attach the advisory committee and the special fund to the Department of Budget and Finance, and adopted an amendment from the Department of Taxation adjusting the effective date for the checkbox to taxable year beginning Dec. 31, 2025. The chair said the HRS cross‑reference to the animal‑mistreatment chapter would be corrected in the drafting process, and the appropriation amount and a license‑plate provision were deleted; the measure's effective date was deferred to July 1, 3000 for purposes of further drafting.

Vote: the chair's recommendation to pass HB 364 with amendments was adopted. Recorded votes listed members as voting “aye” or “no” during the committee's roll call; the chair announced the recommendation was adopted.

What happened in testimony: supporters highlighted community spay/neuter clinics, the bill's potential to reduce free‑roaming cat populations, and the need to fund county enforcement if counties are required to implement breeder restrictions; some public commenters urged free or low‑cost clinics and argued the proposal could affect owners' choices.