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SB 1023 Hawaii Senate · 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 to the counties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Issues: ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes Spay and Neuter Special Fund using income tax check-off and special plates, appropriating funds to counties for animal control programs.90% confidence
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Mar 11, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB1023_HD1 → SB1023_SD1 · 7 edits
MODERATE
This bill establishes a new Spay and Neuter Special Fund to reduce pet overpopulation and free-roaming cat populations in Hawaii. It creates a special license plate program with fundraising fees and allows residents to designate portions of their state income tax refunds to the fund. The legislation also sets up an advisory committee to oversee fund disbursements and establishes eligibility criteria for using the money for spaying and neutering surgeries.
Scope change
The bill expands state involvement in animal welfare by creating a new special fund and associated revenue sources, whereas the original version noted the state does not contribute funds to address these issues.
FISCAL

Created a new Spay and Neuter Special Fund in the state treasury to be administered by the Department of Budget and Finance.

Established special license plates with fundraising fees that generate revenue for the special fund.

Added income tax refund check-off option allowing residents to designate $5 of their refund to the special fund.

REQUIREMENT

Created a five-member advisory committee to establish eligibility criteria and procedures for fund disbursements.

Established that fund moneys must be used for spaying and neutering surgery and associated veterinary care to reduce pet overpopulation.

Added restrictions on special number plate design, prohibiting infringement of trademarks, obscene content, advertising, religious promotion, or discriminatory philosophies.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date for the Act as July 1, 2050, with special number plate provisions applying to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
21
Key actions
8
Committee
11
Mar 11, 2025
Committee
Reported from AGR (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1174) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to CAA.
lower
Mar 7, 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, Lowen, Perruso, Quinlan; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Kusch, Ward.
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Committee
Referred to AGR, CAA, FIN, referral sheet 18
lower
Feb 28, 2025
Introduced
Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 49) in amended form (SD 1).
lower
Feb 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) DeCoite, Keohokalole, Richards. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 2 (Senator(s) Fukunaga, Kidani). Transmitted to House.
upper
Feb 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) DeCoite.
upper
Feb 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-18-25 10:01AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
upper
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
Reported from AEN/TCA/EIG (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 303) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
upper
Feb 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EIG were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Wakai, Chang, DeCoite; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Richards ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.
upper
Feb 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on TCA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in TCA were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Elefante, Kanuha, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Inouye.
upper
Feb 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, DeCoite, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Richards ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
upper
Jan 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on AEN/TCA/EIG has scheduled a public hearing on 02-05-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
upper
Jan 23, 2025
Committee
Referred to AEN/TCA/EIG, WAM.
upper
Jan 17, 2025
Introduced
Introduced.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Karl Rhoads
Karl Rhoads
DDemocratic
HI
13