Bill > HB980

This bill addresses the issue of feral chickens in Hawaii by amending existing laws to allow their elimination under specific circumstances. The legislation recognizes that feral chickens have become a significant nuisance in residential areas, causing problems such as noise, property disturbance, and potential road hazards. Moreover, the bill highlights the growing concern about H5N1 avian influenza (bird flu), which poses risks to public health and native bird populations. The key provision allows property owners to kill feral chickens on their private land with written permission, using methods that comply with veterinary euthanasia guidelines. The bill explicitly prohibits cruel methods of killing, such as animal fighting, torture, or beating, and clarifies that this permission does not create a right to enter private property without consent. Additionally, the bill makes complementary amendments to other sections of Hawaii's law to ensure consistency, such as modifying statutes related to wild birds and animal cruelty. The changes are designed to provide a legal framework for managing feral chicken populations while maintaining humane treatment standards, with the primary goal of addressing the public health and nuisance concerns associated with these birds.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=980&year=2025