Turner, Megan; recognize

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Kennedy

SR 142 urges Honolulu's departments to collaborate on managing feral cat populations, balancing animal welfare with public health and environmental concerns.

Senate Read and Adopted

Bill Overview

Bill Number: SR 142
Title: Urging the Department of Natural Resources to Work with the Department of Customer Services of the City and County of Honolulu to Appropriately Manage Feral Cat Concerns
Status: Referred to WTL/PSM
Introduced: March 07, 2025
Classification: Resolution
Subject: Department of Customer Services, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Free-Roaming Cats

Purpose and Intent

The primary intent of SR 142 is to address the growing concerns related to feral cats in the City and County of Honolulu. The resolution urges collaboration between the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Customer Services to develop effective management strategies for feral cat populations. This initiative aims to balance the welfare of the animals with public health and environmental considerations.

Key Provisions

Collaboration: The resolution calls for a cooperative effort between two key departments:

Department of Natural Resources: Responsible for wildlife management and conservation efforts.
Department of Customer Services: Engaged in community services and public health initiatives.

Management Strategies: While the resolution does not specify detailed strategies, it emphasizes the need for appropriate management practices that may include:

Population control measures.
Public education campaigns about responsible pet ownership.
Support for local animal welfare organizations.

Impact

Target Groups: The resolution primarily impacts:

Local government agencies involved in animal control and public health.
Residents of Honolulu who may encounter feral cats.
Animal welfare organizations working to manage feral cat populations.

Public Health and Environment: By addressing feral cat concerns, the resolution aims to mitigate potential public health risks associated with free-roaming cats, such as the spread of diseases, while also considering the ecological impact of feral cat populations on local wildlife.

Legislative Timeline

March 07, 2025: Bill offered.

March 12, 2025: Referred to the Health and Human Services (HHS) and Commerce and Consumer Protection (CPN) committees.

March 20, 2025: A public hearing was scheduled for March 24, 2025, at 1:05 PM in Conference Room 225 and via videoconference.

March 24, 2025: The HHS committee deferred the measure.

March 14, 2024: Previously referred to WTL/PSM.

March 08, 2024: Initially offered.

Related Legislation

HR 87: House resolution companion to SR 142.

SCR 173: Senate companion resolution.

SCR 168: Another related Senate companion resolution.

This resolution represents a proactive approach to managing feral cat populations in Honolulu, highlighting the importance of inter-departmental collaboration to address community concerns effectively.

Bill