HB 547 Hawaii House · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO THE SPAYING AND NEUTERING OF ANIMALS.

Summary

Establishes the Spay and Neuter Special Fund to reduce pet overpopulation and the reproduction of free-roaming cats. Establishes various revenue and fundraising sources for the special fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Feb 14, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB547_HD1 → HB547_HD2 · 6 edits

MODERATE

HB 547 was revised to establish a Spay and Neuter Special Fund in Hawaii to reduce pet overpopulation and free-roaming cat populations. The bill adds specific revenue sources including state income tax refund check-offs and special license plate fees, while also adding detailed requirements for the special license plate design and committee composition. The effective date was changed from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 3000, with tax provisions applying to returns filed after December 31, 2024.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly includes special number plates as a revenue source with detailed design requirements, adds income tax refund check-off provisions for the special fund, and establishes specific eligibility criteria for advisory committee members.

FISCAL

Added specific income tax refund check-off provision allowing taxpayers to designate $5 of their refund to the special fund, with joint filers able to designate $5 each for a $10 refund.

Added specific allocation requirements for income tax refund check-offs, directing funds to children's trust fund, domestic violence fund, and spouse and child abuse funds.

REQUIREMENT

Added detailed requirements for special number plate design including specific content requirements and restrictions on infringing trademarks, promoting religion, or endorsing products.

Added provision allowing the director of finance to charge additional fundraising fees for license plate renewals and revoke plates if fees are not paid.

TIMELINE

Changed effective date from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 3000, with tax provisions applying to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified advisory committee composition requirements to include specific representatives from state agencies and animal welfare organizations.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Matayoshi, Poepoe, Ward excused (4).

lower

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from CAA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 680) as amended in HD 2, recommending referral to FIN.

lower

Feb 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on CAA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Kapela, Kong, Garrett, Lee, M., Sayama; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Reyes Oda.

lower

Feb 6, 2025

Committee

Reported from AGR (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 232) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to CAA.

lower

Feb 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Kahaloa, Kusch, Lowen, Perruso; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Quinlan, Ward.

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to AGR, CAA, FIN, referral sheet 2

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

24 primary · 0 co-sponsors