HB 364 Summary

• Establishes the Spay and Neuter Special Fund administered by the Department of Budget and Finance, funded by state income tax refund designations, permit fees, legislative appropriations, and private donations.

• Requires all female cats over three months old and male cats over five months old to be surgically sterilized, with exemptions for health reasons, temporary deferrals with veterinary certification, and cats with breeding permits.

• Authorizes county animal control authorities to issue breeding cat permits for $250 per cat annually, with strict requirements including microchipping, containment, health testing, age restrictions (18 months to less than 7 years), and breeding limitations.

• Allows taxpayers with refunds of $5 or more to voluntarily designate $5 to the spay and neuter fund on income tax returns; married couples may each designate $5 from joint refunds of $10 or more.

• Establishes an advisory committee of seven members to oversee fund eligibility criteria and procedures, with representatives from state agencies, veterinary and animal welfare organizations; violators of sterilization requirements face fines of $500 to $1,000 per cat.