HI HB1334

Establishes a Feral Animals Council within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to coordinate statewide feral animal control efforts among state departments, federal agencies, and local initiatives.

Council membership includes the chairpersons/designees of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Board of Agriculture, Director of Transportation, Director of Health, professional animal control specialists from each county, and representatives from federal agencies, legislature, and private sector as needed.

Council duties include maintaining oversight of feral animal problems, recommending control options, identifying resource shortfalls, creating implementation plans, tracking feral species and expenditures, securing federal and private funding, and advising the governor and legislature on budgetary issues.

Department of Land and Natural Resources serves as lead agency and must prepare biennial multidepartmental budget proposals for feral animal control programs and coordinate control efforts among all relevant agencies and organizations.

Authorizes departments to examine, control, or relocate feral animals on public or private property after notice to property owners, with option to seek court warrant if owner refuses entry or fails to comply with control orders; excludes cats from definition of "feral animals."