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HRS §142-23

Testing cattle for brucellosis and paying owners

The agriculture department can test cattle for brucellosis. If a cow tests positive and is sent to slaughter, the state may pay the owner part of the loss, but not more than a set amount. The department makes the rules for how much to pay.

The statute, as written — Brucellosis testing; indemnity for slaughtered cattle

The department of agriculture and biosecurity may institute and conduct a brucellosis testing program. The department may pay indemnities to owners of cattle sent to slaughter as reactors to the brucellosis test. The payment shall be in the amount of one-third of the difference between the appraised value of each animal slaughtered and the salvage value thereof to owners of cattle reacting positively to the brucellosis test and sent to slaughter; provided that in no case shall this amount exceed $75 per animal; and provided further that no indemnity shall be paid for steers and spayed heifers. The department shall prescribe and enforce rules under which the amount of indemnification shall be ascertained, pursuant to this section. The amount of indemnification having been thus ascertained, the owner may present to the state comptroller a claim against the State therefor. A warrant for the payment of the claim shall be made upon vouchers approved by the department and supported by the inspector's report. The department may take such action that it may deem necessary to further the provisions of this section over any ensuing fiscal period.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.