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Committee raises Kentucky honey production limit from 50 to 500 gallons, citing local producers and food-safety labels
Summary
House Bill 391 would increase the statutory honey-processing threshold from 50 gallons to 500 gallons, add labeling language to promote Kentucky-produced "pure and unadulterated" honey, and retain sanitation and certification requirements. The committee passed the bill and sent it to the Senate floor.
The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture voted to advance House Bill 391, which raises the limit on how much honey a beekeeper may produce before being required to use a certified honey house or food-processing establishment.
Representative Jason Nemas (identified in committee as the bill sponsor) described the change as corrective: current Kentucky law (KRS 217.1807, presented in committee as "KRS217 Dot 1 80 7") requires beekeepers producing more than 50 gallons (about 1,800 pounds) in a year to process honey in a certified honey house. HB 391 would raise that threshold to 500 gallons (about 6,000 pounds) and add language requiring labeling that the product is "pure and unadulterated honey" produced in Kentucky by the named producer.
Jason Nemas told the committee the 50-gallon threshold dates from about 2002 and was effectively arbitrary; he and industry witnesses said most states have higher limits or no limit at all. Scott Ward, director and program manager for certified Kentucky honey producers and director of the Jefferson County Farm Bureau, and Jessica Mays of the Kentucky State Beekeepers testified in support.
Supporters told the committee the change poses no additional public-health risk because honey is an unprocessed, shelf-stable food, and they noted the cost barrier: building a certified honey house (a licensed food-processing establishment) costs on the order of $100,000 to $150,000, making the 50-gallon threshold a financial burden that caps production for small beekeepers.
Witnesses cited federal and national context: USDA data cited in the committee record indicate U.S. consumption far outpaces domestic production (the transcript records 578,000,000 pounds consumed versus 39,000,000 pounds produced in 2023) and that honey is among frequently adulterated imported foods. Committee members discussed the possibility of eliminating the limit entirely as a floor amendment; Senator Boswell urged a broader amendment or committee sub to consider removing the threshold.
Committee members asked who certifies honey houses; a witness said the Cabinet for Health and Family Services certifies food-processing establishments in Kentucky, similar to certified kitchens used for other cottage-food activities.
The committee recorded a roll call with multiple "aye" votes, and the chair announced the bill passes and will move to the Senate floor.
