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

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.