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SCR 170

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO IDENTIFY EXISTING DEPARTMENTAL LANDS THAT ARE UNSUITABLE FOR AGRICULTURAL USE BUT MAY BE UTILIZED AS PET ANIMAL SANCTUARIES.

2025 Regular Session

The bill asks Hawaii’s Department of Agriculture to identify nonagricultural state lands that could be leased or repurposed as pet animal sanctuaries and report recommendations.

Referred to AEN.
#departmentofagriculture #petanimalsanctuaries
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Bill Summary · SCR 170

Summary: SCR 170 – Department of Agriculture; Pet Animal Sanctuaries

Overview

SCR 170 is a Hawaii Senate Concurrent Resolution (concurrent with the House) introduced on March 7, 2025 and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment (AEN). The companion bill is SR 139. As a concurrent resolution, it expresses the Legislature’s request rather than imposing new law.

Purpose

  • Request the Department of Agriculture (DOA) to identify existing state lands under its control that are unsuitable for agricultural use but could be leased or repurposed as pet animal sanctuaries.
  • Require the DOA to report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the convening of the Regular Session in 2026.
  • Transmit a certified copy of the resolution to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture.

Key Provisions

  • Identification of Lands: The DOA would assess its existing lands that are not suitable for agricultural use and determine which could be leased or used for pet animal sanctuaries.
  • Reporting Requirement: The DOA must prepare and submit a report detailing findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature at a specified deadline (no later than 20 days before the 2026 Regular Session).
  • Roles and Transmission: A certified copy of SCR 170 must be sent to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture.

Rationale and Background (as outlined in the bill)

  • The resolution emphasizes protecting Hawaii’s endangered and native wildlife and notes feral cats as a major threat to wildlife and public health.
  • Cites statistics on feral cats’ impact (e.g., significant contributions to wildlife extinctions, tens of thousands to millions of birds killed annually, and the parasite Toxoplasma gondii).
  • Argues that existing Trap-Neuter-Return programs have not sufficiently mitigated the feral-cat threat.
  • Proposes pet animal sanctuaries as a potentially viable approach to protect wildlife by separating cats from wildlife, improving sterilization, providing food sources, and enabling adoption.

Who Would Be Affected

  • State Lands: Department of Agriculture-managed lands (potentially repurposed for sanctuaries).
  • DOA and Board of Agriculture: Required to evaluate land suitability and produce the report.
  • Legislature: Receives findings and may consider any proposed legislation.
  • Public/Sanctuary Operators: Potential future operators of pet animal sanctuaries, contingent on lands identified and any subsequent legislation.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduced: March 7, 2025.
  • Referred to: AEN (March 12, 2025).
  • Deadline: Report due no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026.
  • Status: Referred to committee; non-binding, advisory in nature.

Related Legislation

  • Companion bill: SR 139 (Senate); likely parallel consideration in the House.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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