Committees refer feral-chicken nuisance bill indefinitely after wide public opposition

Lawmakers heard robust, emotionally charged testimony on HB2561, a proposal that would declare feral chickens on public lands in jurisdictions above a population threshold as a controllable pest and establish fines for feeding or abandoning birds.

Brian Burns, founder of Trooper's Chicken Rescue, urged the state to partner with rescue organizations rather than punish people who attempt to help birds. "Trooper's Chicken Rescue' and I am pleading with the state to partner with us, not punish compassionate intervention," Burns said, warning that criminalizing compassionate actions would be counterproductive.

Other witnesses emphasized cultural and ecological values tied to chickens. Kulu Deilani noted chickens have been present since early Polynesian settlement, provide natural pest control and nutrient benefits, and cautioned against punitive approaches that ignore deeper causes. Several cultural practitioners and community members raised concerns about humane treatment and potential conflicts with cultural practices.

Committee members raised drafting, enforcement capacity and cultural-sensitivity concerns; the chair cited the number of opposed and supporting testimonies (the chair recorded 135 opposed and 7 in support during the hearing) and recommended referring the bill indefinitely so legislative leaders and stakeholders can consider alternatives.

The indefinite referral halts the measure for now; proponents and opponents both said they want humane, effective responses to feral-animal issues but disagreed on the best statutory approach.