[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6687732,"mediaKeyId","2362039-d19b1b843c5fbcc5e547b2c34debaaa5","parentId",2362039,"title","Committee backs reorganization bill to fold farm safety, rural health and ag economic development into department structure","audioSeconds",826,"startMs",706000,"endMs",1532000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2362039-d19b1b843c5fbcc5e547b2c34debaaa5&start=706&end=1532","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2362039-d19b1b843c5fbcc5e547b2c34debaaa5/thumbnail_706000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6687732/Kentucky/Committee-backs-reorganization-bill-to-fold-farm-safety-rural-health-and-ag-economic-development-into-department-structure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6687732-1dca0022423b57a3a0261b024fab7966/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179742&Signature=KFgoAszryH~ZZP1Hlyq8U7KEhq-slfR24yAy0HGLJDLbrIcMwjE7MDyzuJR24PSoyRu7btPcaYakPAOFnFBhaTm5YP~jtPrNM0-Au2LtGz9DDAslUm9j9BGZM4~TWqQ4AvCNY-xnj1jKAPpknP6vg~3SULD~Q2JRobnQHsxe5Wcy9ELxkN-ZtwOVSNQBZ~KFHWsaUL4hx7X5Cc3-Eg8lQJKXWD9NcG~QQD6veaiTJSzZ8p5AJErl512xakWwAa1VaaG7wOpg5tPmbdtfYbhWV8uWsoxfq0j9BT-O-0esx5P19f399pbQGvB0UP16hGuxVdGvUcvx4yzjwq0GPNaJVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kentucky Legislature","date","2025-02-19T18:53:32.99Z","article","House Bill 370, a reorganization measure intended to consolidate and prioritize farm safety, rural health and agricultural economic development inside the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, passed the House Agriculture Committee with a favorable recommendation.

Representative J.T. Payne, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the measure “allows the Division of Farm Safety and Rural Health within the Office of Ag Marketing” and “allows for the implementation of the office of ag economic development.” Payne said the change is intended to improve departmental efficiency and sustain programs such as the department’s Food Is Medicine campaign, farmer mental-health and farm-safety initiatives.

Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Schell and Brandon Reed, executive director of the Office of Agricultural Policy at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, joined sponsors at the table. Schell told members the department aims to concentrate resources on shows and fairs, 4-H and FFA participation and youth livestock programs; he also described efforts to treat youth development as a priority within livestock programming rather than solely focusing on animals.

Schell highlighted recent national attention to Kentucky programs: he said USDA Secretary Rollins visited Kentucky within 24 hours of confirmation and expressed interest in elevating Kentucky’s farm-safety and “Raising Hope” initiatives to a national level. Schell tied the changes in the bill to broader economic-development goals, urging committee members to cultivate relationships with department leadership.

Representative Bivens and others asked whether the bill creates new funding; Schell replied the reorganization alters structure and emphasis but does not itself move monies—budget decisions would occur in the next budget process. Representative McPherson and other members praised the department’s outreach and encouraged continued collaboration.

Representative Pollock moved the bill; Representative Bivens seconded. Chair Dossett announced House Bill 370 “has passed, and receives with favorable expression, and we believe it will do so on the House floor.”

The committee record shows discussion of multiple department programs by name, including Food Is Medicine, Raising Hope, farm safety, and a planned Livestock Classic in Casey County to promote youth livestock participation. The transcript does not attach a budget number to the reorganization or specify statutory sections being amended in the committee discussion.

Committee members were urged to engage with Commissioner Schell and Director Reed to help implement the department’s initiatives and to support the reorganization through the legislative and budget processes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Standing Committee on Agriculture (2-19-25)","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 370, a reorganization measure intended to consolidate and prioritize farm safety, rural health and agricultural economic development inside the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, passed the House Agriculture Committee with a favorable recommendation.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature KY, Kentucky","taxId",77680,"location","Kentucky","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6687737,"House committee advances bill to ease food donations by churches, nonprofits in disasters and to shelters",468,198000,666000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2362039-d19b1b843c5fbcc5e547b2c34debaaa5&start=198&end=666","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2362039-d19b1b843c5fbcc5e547b2c34debaaa5/thumbnail_198000.jpg","/articles/6687737/Kentucky/House-committee-advances-bill-to-ease-food-donations-by-churches-nonprofits-in-disasters-and-to-shelters","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6687737-054d8a8d7ff5ae9dc393bb73a5920074/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179742&Signature=bMiujrLnCudzgyZfJLB-FT2AHJqEVgWe7JMmrZ5-kRQ0qyTHrBw~OQa7TGs7adjkg2hQm41AIetRAck9IOAkYzkAcI0ob3FvOunzr2wqjAG3ezGhrfMycz3-VlZJ99Ppzav1jzzDGIDdS~lizaUxNcZsjvAMDMma6NrjLmOe5YPuvIRy3TOyi4JJfZqzgtkiIf5b7~DlBEgdXpvOOpabnxtHb03ZR82qYSzAgUI3cW81~JFKCj46rM-K809hbpzWyxY41zhqyxlhcZNgMQHfiCNgGsGU-5BP~TRDtoQOrAIWRBWIRwRX8-GQWRTqsH~jBIJZrVB6KA2pZNpoZX8osg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 186, which would ease requirements for churches and nonprofits to donate prepared food to homeless shelters and to people displaced by declared natural disasters, passed out of the Kentucky House Agriculture Committee on a voice/roll call vote.

The bill’s sponsor, state Representative Robert Duvall, said the measure “streamlines the process for churches and nonprofits to be able to provide food for homeless shelters and for those who have been displaced due to natural disasters.” Duvall told the committee the change is meant to remove a regulatory barrier that can prevent local groups from handing out prepared meals during emergencies.

The bill clarifies two separate situations: donations tied to a declared natural disaster and donations to homeless shelters that are not limited to emergency declarations. Representative Donworth asked whether the bill applies only to relief situations; Duvall confirmed the disaster provision applies when there is “a declared natural disaster,” and that the homeless-shelter donation provision is independent of that requirement.

Committee members raised food-safety and training questions. Representative Watkins asked whether donations to shelters are limited to emergency scenarios; Duvall responded, “That’s correct. Yes. That’s correct,” clarifying the emergency tie for that portion of the bill. Representative Watkins and others urged consideration of food-safety education for volunteers; Duvall said the bill requires donated food to be “safe” or “wholesome,” and he welcomed training from health departments to ensure safe handling.

Representative Hall described seeing local volunteers hand out fried baloney sandwiches after recent floods and said the bill would make it easier for volunteers to help in similar circumstances. Representative Pollock and others praised the bill as practical relief for communities responding to disasters.

Representative Rayburn moved the bill and Representative Pollock seconded. Chair Dossett announced the bill “passes with favorable expression and we believe it would do so on the House floor.”

If enacted, the bill would remove a requirement—under current rules discussed by witnesses—that organizations meet industrial-kitchen or specific plumbing standards before providing prepared food in the covered circumstances. The measure does not specify new state funding or a new regulatory program.

Committee members and the sponsor emphasized that the bill preserves food-safety standards while lowering procedural barriers so local congregations and charities can respond more quickly in emergencies.

The committee record does not cite a specific Kentucky statute number for the existing kitchen or permit requirements; the bill text referenced by the sponsor was not provided in the committee transcript excerpt.

Votes at a glance: the committee approved House Bill 186 by voice/roll call and the chair indicated the bill will be recommended with a favorable expression to the full House.","The Kentucky House Agriculture Committee voted to advance House Bill 186, which would allow churches and nonprofit groups to provide donated food to homeless shelters and to people displaced by declared disasters without meeting industrial-kitchen requirements, provided the food is safe.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6687723,"Committee advances bill raising state honey-production threshold and easing permit requirement for beekeepers",0,1796000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2362039-d19b1b843c5fbcc5e547b2c34debaaa5&start=1796&end=1796","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2362039-d19b1b843c5fbcc5e547b2c34debaaa5/thumbnail_1796000.jpg","/articles/6687723/Kentucky/Committee-advances-bill-raising-state-honey-production-threshold-and-easing-permit-requirement-for-beekeepers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6687723-3bc251660dae831e85064a1b2d2327db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179742&Signature=GETa63~t9XIh3Op6pM~xxMJPYVN2N~TP8X6ZX-3GZMDvbK2nxo~O9Hllpyqn~Q5B7~6qdWuxT6i5cLNYHqkR5A58BYFM3DQQGrf0UyAwflW~5vuKiSGtnlgmNT18UkSZxqmJZtLtIb1uhWKNRjv69mTCwGtEpN-E-yv1uB6KGeWbqD67yIYrWd6bAOvykzPFMJKzl4-zqD6O-HDbYnKR9JFk-taUc-4KC943nUANDlZBHG4~-K6HKvB-UmX5KeM0OApmft2cwqR9BqEz83g4Gw0s3qjXKwiLtouKnnLN7c~n0ZjKQgFpsZINboayl0nzodjlASRubKXJm7Tz-H13yQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 391, introduced by Representative Jason Nemas, would adjust state rules governing small-scale honey production by increasing the threshold that requires a certified honey house from 50 gallons of honey per year to 500 gallons per year and by removing a permit requirement for producers who fall under that new ceiling.

Nemas told the committee the existing limit—50 gallons—makes Kentucky one of the most restrictive states and forces some beekeepers to curtail honey production or move operations across state lines. He said the current rule has been in place about 23 years. Jessica Mays of the Kentucky State Beekeepers Association and Scott Moore, director/program manager for Certified Kentucky Honey Producers, testified in support of the change.

Moore said a certified honey house can cost roughly $150,000, which prevents many small and hobbyist beekeepers from scaling up honey production. He and other witnesses said neighboring states such as Indiana and Ohio impose fewer or no such restrictions, and beekeepers sometimes shift production to states with less stringent rules.

Members asked about fiscal impacts and enforcement. Representative All asked whether a fiscal impact estimate was available and how many beekeepers would be affected; sponsors said the state lacks an apiary registry so an exact count is not available, and that there may be some fiscal impact from eliminating permit fees but the size was not known. Representatives raised labeling and origin concerns; the bill includes a “pure and unadulterated” standard and language that honey must be “produced in Kentucky” so the exemption benefits Kentucky producers rather than bottlers using imported product. The Certified Kentucky Honey Producers program and Kentucky Proud were discussed as marketing and verification mechanisms; Moore said their program includes application, apiary verification within Kentucky and random laboratory testing.

Representative Tate moved the bill; Representative Massaroni seconded. Chair Dossett announced House Bill 391 “passes with favorable expression and should do so on the floor.” Representatives who spoke in favor called the bill a practical step to reduce regulatory burden on small beekeepers and to support pollinator programs.

Key numerical clarifications from committee testimony: current statutory threshold cited in testimony is 50 gallons per year; the bill raises that threshold to 500 gallons per year; a certified honey house was described as costing on the order of $150,000; the state’s number of beekeepers was described as roughly 3,000 based on USDA surveys because the state lacks a registry.

The transcript does not include a formal fiscal note or a specific Kentucky statute citation in the committee discussion; committee members requested technical clarifications about fiscal impact and enforcement during testimony.","House Bill 391 would increase the threshold at which Kentucky beekeepers must use a certified honey house from 50 gallons to 500 gallons and remove a permit requirement for many small producers. The committee voted the bill out with a favorable recommendation after testimony from beekeepers and industry representatives.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6687727,"Committee advances cleanup bill for soybean assessment tied to federal checkoff",382,1484000,1866000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2362039-d19b1b843c5fbcc5e547b2c34debaaa5&start=1484&end=1866","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2362039-d19b1b843c5fbcc5e547b2c34debaaa5/thumbnail_1484000.jpg","/articles/6687727/Kentucky/Committee-advances-cleanup-bill-for-soybean-assessment-tied-to-federal-checkoff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6687727-d53758247b84c56d20643b6399a7b092/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179742&Signature=Qkgs6PYa~t5iV~aX89F~rs9styjmBUjX6WrPonlZ9p3iYXMHTT6akrH7R4isubWUJ2uJKG5gXjnqzCQgT9vGc84I5tIwIsNOyQr3HO0RrG6CMfRuMIW7fJhnTB4lkrl0ZV7iekNPx5x~GVBfcLVwu01IIVlGArsFo-o4e9iEgMBEn5dKv1SNJRxMDPbTIQXxhG0CUw2ZKCb3v-yeZfrRSRTgnq19Kox8vVa11jr6Wap8i4~2Yq8wvV3ZfGMtrS3ARWAcRSi88JPSrUMNW~WITfSKNkaLQYmmPkS6CpIIouuLxf8JFS6FOrJEpTJW1m-o1afm-h1NoZF1gyNBDqkPmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 304, presented by Representative Ryan Bivens, would clarify state language governing the soybean assessment and its relationship to the federal soybean checkoff. The committee voted to advance the measure with a favorable recommendation.

Bivens said Kentucky is currently under a federal checkoff; the federal checkoff rate he cited is one-half of 1 percent. He described the bill as “cleanup language” to ensure the state assessment functions properly if federal arrangements change. Jonathan Reynolds and Debbie Ellis from the Kentucky Soybean Association attended to represent producers.

Representative Tipton and other members praised the bill and noted the value of checkoff dollars for research and promotion programs including consumer marketing. Bivens told the committee that, if the federal checkoff no longer applied, the state checkoff provision would return to effect.

Representative Moore asked whether state producers support the change; Bivens said yes, and that the association board and directors back the bill. Representative Donworth observed that adjustments at the federal level will require periodic state-level responses, noting this bill is one such response.

The committee approved House Bill 304 and Chair Dossett said it “receives with favorable expression and should do so on the House floor.” The transcript does not show a specific fiscal note or statute citation in committee discussion, but members discussed that the checkoff is a producer assessment used for promotion and research rather than policy lobbying.

Votes: committee approved the bill by roll call; the transcript indicates a favorable expression to send the bill to the full House.","House Bill 304, a cleanup measure regarding the soybean assessment and the interaction with the federal checkoff, advanced from the committee. Sponsors said the measure clarifies that Kentucky’s state assessment (a half-percent checkoff) would revert if the federal program ends.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee backs reorganization bill to fold farm safety, rural health and ag economic development into department structure

House committee advances bill to ease food donations by churches, nonprofits in disasters and to shelters

Committee advances bill raising state honey-production threshold and easing permit requirement for beekeepers

Committee advances cleanup bill for soybean assessment tied to federal checkoff