Advocacy Initiatives
ADVISORYAloha concerned advocates, We wanted to clear up some well-meaning, but inaccurate messaging being shared on social media. House Bill 1735 and Senate Bill1537 have not been heard, the deadlines to do so have passed. Bills cannot move forward without going through the hearing process. HB363 died without a hearing last year. We have worked very hard to turn HB1736 Relating to Animal Control into a bill we can support. Its current version (HB1736, HD2):
While we would prefer that the funds could also be used to support trap-neuter-return-manage efforts, money for spay/neuter is a win and we are in support of this compromise. The bill does not, and never did, ban TNR. To find out more about the bills we are tracking and learn how to participate, please sign up for our advocacy list:
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2026 State Legislative Session – Priority Bills
The Hawaiian Humane Society regularly engages in efforts to improve our state and county animal laws, as well as engaging in one-health issues like access to affordable housing. Current efforts include:
Support
Housing Access for Pet Owners
There two bills this session that recognize the critical need to expand housing access for pet owners. The inability to find housing that welcomes pets is among the most common reasons that people need to find new homes for beloved family members. This is a preventable tragedy that takes a terrible toll on people and pets.
HB1593 Relating to Affordable Housing
This bill requires, for any affordable rental housing development project that receives financing or any financial assistance from the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation, that the Corporation require the housing development lease or occupancy agreement to allow residents to own or otherwise maintain one or more common household pets.
SB3011 Relating to Public Housing
This bill requires the Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority to allow any resident of a public housing project or state low-income housing project to keep one or more pet animals in the resident’s unit, subject to applicable state laws, county ordinances, and any reasonable conditions; provides that the Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority may charge a refundable deposit for each pet animal but shall not impose a monthly pet fee or pet rent; and allows the Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority to remove a vicious animal to protect persons or property.
Human-Animal Bond
Several bills this session either recognize the importance of the human-animal bond or present an opportunity to do so.
SB874 Relating to Veterinary Medicine
This bill requires veterinarians to provide a written prescription, upon the request of a client, for any animal patient of a client with whom the veterinarian has established an existing veterinarian‑client-patient relationship; allows pharmacies licensed in the State to dispense medications prescribed by veterinarians; and authorizes the Hawaiʻi Board of Veterinary Medicine to establish penalties, which may include fines or suspension or revocation of a license.
SB2109 Relating to Emergency Preparedness Communications
This bill requires the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency to develop and implement a statewide public education and communications program to promote household emergency preparedness consistent with the Agency’s fourteen-day essential supplies recommendation; requires annual reports to the Legislature; and appropriates funds.
SB2158 Relating to Veterinarians
This bill establishes the Veterinarian Workforce Development Special Fund; establishes the Veterinarian Workforce Development Loan Repayment and Scholarship Program to support qualified veterinarians committed to or currently working in veterinary medicine in the State; authorizes the Hawaiʻi Board of Veterinary Medicine to enter into agreements, including memoranda of understanding, with the University of Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiʻi Veterinary Medical Association, and accredited out‑of‑state schools to increase the availability of accredited veterinary programs and licensure opportunities to residents of the State; and appropriates funds.
Pet Animal and Free-Roaming Cat Overpopulation
Two bills this session would help address pet overpopulation. This is a subject of dire importance to our community where we have more animals in need of homes than families available to care for them.
HB1594 / SB3012 Relating to Animal Importation
This bill requires, as a condition of entry into the State, documentation verifying that any dog or cat imported into the State has been surgically sterilized, subject to certain exemptions; requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish a breeder registry and adopt rules.
HB1736 Relating to Animal Control
This bill establishes the Spay and Neuter Special Fund to reduce pet overpopulation, including the Free-Roaming cat population and authorizes an income tax designation to provide revenues into the special fund; requires cats over the age of five months to be surgically sterilized and prohibits cats that are not surgically sterilized from being brought into the State, with certain exceptions; and appropriates funds.
Animal Cruelty
Several measures this session aim to protect animals from cruel treatment.
SB3043 Relating to Hunting
This bill requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules regarding safe and humane hunting practices of feral pigs and hunting dog welfare standards; establishes requirements for the hunter education program instruction; includes the use of dogs to torture wildlife or game mammals as torture in the second degree.
SB2710 Relating to Animals
This bill defines a “dog breeder” as any person who owns, possesses, controls, or otherwise has charge or custody of more than ten dogs over the age of twelve months with intact sexual organs, and who sells, barters, or otherwise transfers more than three litters and more than twenty-five dogs per calendar year; requires dog breeders to meet minimum standards of care and not place certain types of dogs in the same enclosure to ensure the proper treatment and care of dogs and the dogs’ offspring; prohibits any person from owning or having custody of more than thirty dogs over one year with intact sexual organs; requires dog breeders to maintain specific written records for each dog for a specified period; authorizes each county to assess, implement, and enforce its own licensing system for dog breeders; and establishes civil penalties for violations.
HB2101 Relating to Commercial Aquarium Collection
This bill prohibits the capture and sale of aquatic life for commercial aquarium purposes, regardless of the method of collection.
SB2078 Relating to the Department of Land and Natural Resources
This bill establishes a criminal penalty and monetary fines for aquarium fishing violations; and clarifies that each fish or aquatic life specimen taken in violation of certain fishing laws regarding aquarium fish and the possession and use of prohibited explosives, electrofishing devices, and poisonous substances constitutes a separate offense.
HB2503 Relating to Fireworks
This bill authorizes civil asset forfeiture related to fireworks offenses involving fireworks with a total weight of twenty-five pounds or more; amends the definition of “aerial device”; and clarifies that the offense of sending or receiving fireworks or articles pyrotechnic by air delivery applies regardless of whether the offender accompanies the air delivery.
Comments
Urging a Humane Approach
Some issues that come up at the state Legislature provide an opportunity to ensure that animal welfare concerns are considered as lawmakers work to address priorities raised by their constituents. These bills can be some of the most complex to work on and we sometimes shift our positions as language changes and the debate continues.
HB2152 Relating to Dog Attacks
This bill clarifies owner liability and increases penalties and enforcement mechanisms for dog attacks on livestock on land or premises within the agricultural district.
HB2561 Relating to Feral Animals
This bill declares feral chickens on public lands as a public nuisance and controllable pest in a city with a population of three hundred thousand or more; prohibits supporting feral chickens on public lands, including by feeding chickens; prohibits the abandonment of chickens on public lands or on private property without consent; establishes fines and authorized enforcing agencies; appropriates funds for the receipt, handling, and humane disposition of feral chickens that have already been caught.
Testimony tips
If you click the underlined links to the bill or resolution mentioned above, the link will take you to the home page for each measure. There you can find the text of the measure and a great deal of other information, as well as a button that allows you to submit testimony.
You will have to make an account the first time you submit testimony. Visit https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/ and hit the “register” link in the top right corner. That will bring up a short form. Once you’ve filled it out, submitting testimony is easy.
Click the link below for a template on writing and submitting testimony. Testimony should be brief and clear. Always include your neighborhood along with your name, so lawmakers know you are a Hawaiʻi resident.
You may either type your testimony directly on the webpage or upload a text file. If you wish to testify via Zoom and that option is available, you must check the box saying “Remotely via Zoom & submitting written testimony” when you submit. The Zoom link will be added to your testimony page on the day of the hearing.
After you have submitted testimony, please email a copy of it to the House and Senate members who represent the district where you live. Write “In support (or opposition) of (measure number)” in the subject line. You can find the names and email addresses of your legislators here.
