HI HB220

Establishes a spay and neuter special fund administered by the department of budget and finance to provide spaying, neutering, and associated veterinary care to reduce animal overpopulation and free-roaming cat populations.

Allows individual taxpayers with state income tax refunds of $5 or more to designate $5 of their refund to the special fund; married couples with refunds of $10 or more may each designate $5.

Creates an advisory committee to establish eligibility criteria and procedures for fund disbursements, with prioritization for organizations specializing in trap-neuter-release practices; committee includes representatives from budget and finance, Hawaii Animal Welfare Association, Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, a private animal welfare organization, and the general public.

Appropriates $50,000 from general revenues for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to be deposited into the special fund, with the same amount appropriated from the fund for expenditure by the department of budget and finance.

Becomes effective June 30, 3000, except section 3 applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022.