Senate agriculture committee advances bill raising audit threshold for conservation districts

House Bill 24, which would change the audit threshold for conservation districts and permit temporary surface roads on some easements during projects, passed out of the Kentucky Senate Committee on Agriculture on a voice vote.

Representative Dan Pfister introduced the bill and described it as “a very simple bill,” saying the original language increases the audit threshold for conservation districts from $750,000 to $1,000,000 and that an amendment “simply amends KRS 262.910 to allow the [district] boards to consider the construction of temporary structures, roads, and highways on the surface of some of these easements as long as these roads are to be removed when everything is completed.”

The committee adopted a committee substitute before the bill discussion. Senator Boswell moved adoption of the committee substitute, seconded by Senator Funke Frohmeyer; the committee then voted to adopt the substitute. After discussion, Senator Wilson moved the bill; Senator Nunn seconded. The secretary called the roll and the motion passed. Committee members indicated the bill should pass with “favorable expression.” A title amendment was offered and adopted by motion (moved by Senator Wilson, seconded by Senator Nunn).

The committee record shows the bill advanced from committee with the stated changes to the Kentucky Revised Statutes. No formal floor date or further amendments were recorded in the committee transcript.

The chairman closed the item after the vote; committee members then proceeded to other agenda items.