HI HB576

Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, and counties of Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai shall collaborate on feral chicken management projects to manage populations, mitigate impacts on native habitats and ecosystems, and reduce disturbance to indigenous wildlife, plants, agriculture, and communities.

Secondary goal of feral chicken management is to generate a viable food source to assist in feeding the State's houseless and hungry populations.

Feral chicken management programs shall include ante- and post-mortem inspections, slaughtering, and processing capabilities; best management practices for safe carcass handling; and programs to incentivize live and humane capture such as redemption centers or live capture rewards.

Management funding mechanisms shall include seed money sources, public-private partnerships, hunting fees, sales to local farms, and potential Clean Water Act grants to reduce reef sedimentation.

Appropriates unspecified funds for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to establish one full-time natural resources management specialist position for feral chicken management; effective June 30, 3000.