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Lawmakers oppose trap-neuter-return in proposed cat-sterilization bill; committee defers action
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Summary
The Senate energy committee proposed amendments to HB 1736 HD2 to allow trap-neuter-return (TNR) and expand special-fund uses, but multiple lawmakers raised conservation and budget concerns and the chair moved to defer action for further discussion.
The Senate Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs opened decision making on HB 1736 HD2, a measure relating to animal control, with the chair proposing several amendments including allowing sterilized cats to be returned to original colonies under trap-neuter-return programs and authorizing special-fund distributions to nonprofits and qualified entities to run spay/neuter services.
The chair also proposed reducing penalties in section 2 to a minimum of $50 and a maximum of $100, deleting a provision that limited the duration and requirements of veterinarian certification for cats not suitable for sterilization, and making technical non-substantive edits.
A lawmaker opposed including a TNR provision, saying TNR “does not work to reduce the overall population of cats” and expressing concern for endangered species and competing budget needs. “I cannot support this bill,” the lawmaker said, adding that with food insecurity affecting an estimated 30 percent of state families (and higher on the Big Island), committing program funds to TNR was not appropriate.
Another lawmaker echoed island-specific conservation concerns, citing Molokai and saying they also planned to vote no. After members voiced those objections, the chair proposed deferring action on the measure to allow further discussion with committee colleagues.
No formal vote on HB 1736 was recorded during this session; the committee deferred the measure for future consideration.
