[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6323047,"mediaKeyId","2343235-4c4adf7fa50013c3cc2d8bdc740a6cd0","parentId",2343235,"title","Committee advances bill raising small-scale honey threshold, easing permit requirement for Kentucky beekeepers","audioSeconds",872,"startMs",1796000,"endMs",2668000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2343235-4c4adf7fa50013c3cc2d8bdc740a6cd0&start=1796&end=2668","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2343235-4c4adf7fa50013c3cc2d8bdc740a6cd0/thumbnail_1796000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6323047/Kentucky/Committee-advances-bill-raising-small-scale-honey-threshold-easing-permit-requirement-for-Kentucky-beekeepers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6323047-65cd38f11e999f579f6620659dd448af/orig.mp4?Expires=1770552540&Signature=R-rqzmRnESFiqJcFhzrqeJ0EZjhc7wbBhY0G13ZeQeCvtbRdHZSM-YBZXoJh65YoV-nL77IF7XOL4reqtNnnR9FvotBtikKl6rrCZXvhz6-fxxJfJTVRC~du8W7bxg9UErs27KVDZG0wspAw2ayP2-CgKRxuu3r~LLXVQvxeVjO1fmoMxO5OUzBXMXwljrmOUWuerPsCOuUw6RVfitNYz3gIPLl5oWZNnyfj7vX1gwypfcpHw1SsZAkf0UqFejfrPHCj0jhZAp0B7uXDMXhVqvB7SQ5jB90Ev7haIBwtirKIH2FciaiEFRdcrdXslethcewuewtKMym-orDfrUXlDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kentucky Legislature","date","2025-02-19T00:00:00Z","article","House Bill 391, which increases the production threshold that requires a beekeeper to use a certified honey house and reduces permitting burdens on small producers, passed the House Agriculture Committee after extended testimony from beekeepers and lawmakers.

Representative Jason Nemas, sponsor of the bill and the state representative for the 33rd District, told the committee that Kentucky’s current limit is 50 gallons and that the bill raises the threshold to 500 gallons: “Kentucky\\u2019s rules are the second worst in the country. We have a rule that says that you can produce 50 gallons of honey on your own farm,” he said, and added the change is a step toward the many states that have no regulation. Nemas said the state has roughly 3,000 beekeepers but no mandatory apiary registration, so exact counts of who falls into the newly exempted range are not available.

Scott Moore, director and program manager for Certified Kentucky Honey Producers, and Jessica Mays of the Kentucky State Beekeepers Association joined the sponsor at the table. Committee members asked about fiscal impact, and Nemas and the witnesses said some fiscal effect is possible because permitting and testing can carry costs, but a precise fiscal estimate was not available in committee. Nemas noted that a certified commercial honey house can cost into the six-figure range, which many small producers cannot afford.

Lawmakers also discussed protections against out-of-state or adulterated honey. The bill includes language requiring honey sold under the exemption to be “pure and unadulterated” and to be “produced in Kentucky” to target Kentucky producers rather than import bottlers. Committee testimony described the Certified Kentucky Honey Producers program as a marketing and verification program separate from the Kentucky Proud program; the certified program conducts apiary verification and random testing of products submitted for certification.

Representative Nemas and supporters argued the change would help small and hobbyist beekeepers sell more honey without incurring the costs of a certified honey house, and committee members expressed widespread support. The committee moved the bill forward with favorable expression.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Standing Committee on Agriculture (2-19-25)","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 391 would raise the threshold that triggers commercial honey-house permitting from 50 gallons to 500 gallons and make other changes intended to help Kentucky beekeepers; the Agriculture Committee advanced the measure after extended testimony.","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},6323050,"Committee clears cleanup to soybean assessment language; state checkoff would resume if federal program ends",314,1484000,1798000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2343235-4c4adf7fa50013c3cc2d8bdc740a6cd0&start=1484&end=1798","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2343235-4c4adf7fa50013c3cc2d8bdc740a6cd0/thumbnail_1484000.jpg","/articles/6323050/Kentucky/Committee-clears-cleanup-to-soybean-assessment-language-state-checkoff-would-resume-if-federal-program-ends","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6323050-cec423b9a471d97cb1a1733cbed5c6e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770552540&Signature=CPZ4Y9HHWf~q6QUtNOjAM~h4eWZ4~RCgMPNo8UcdSEpmxzBagGRFbKFjqe0quSuU92tkeq2MAQwbbfO6iDrSI2EnYgSMclKEwFyNqsazZpVGp~MIJyt8Nfu582s86yiqnMMhHkg4sa3YpSSvbZQBwyCkDKzxg50PoD-SgZCVSnqIQ938VQH79ozRxxE5cGcPp3I6l0-03xbKlKAGeDUvWMeBv5tavIMBdQtj6ecbLqcxcE9CsISik6lyplb6GVs4fptKH-9M16pzCEukpRki0JyxDm1FNLm61wwsXCXB049p1wWjg-dyjyR2HtKRkDoXhD8E4jLkOvjJJLbhTaqOpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 304, aimed at clarifying Kentucky law on soybean assessments and how state-level checkoffs interact with the federal checkoff, advanced from the House Agriculture Committee with bipartisan support.

Representative Ryan Bivens, state representative for District 24, introduced the measure and said it is “just some very simple language to talk about soybean assessment” and characterized it as cleanup language. Bivens explained that Kentucky currently participates in a federal soybean checkoff set at 0.5 percent; the state language governs what happens if the federal checkoff ends.

Committee members asked whether producers and associations supported the change. Bivens said the referendum authorizing the federal checkoff had already taken place and that the Kentucky soybean industry supports the measure; Jonathan Reynolds and Debbie Ellis of the Kentucky Soybean Association joined the sponsor at the table. Representative Moore asked whether state producers supported the change; Bivens replied that the association directors do support it and that checkoff dollars are limited to promotion and research, not policy advocacy.

The committee moved the bill with Representative Tate as mover and Representative Pearson as second. The committee recorded the bill as passing with favorable expression and indicated it would likely receive the same on the House floor.","House Bill 304, a cleanup to soybean assessment language, was advanced by the House Agriculture Committee. The bill clarifies how state assessments interact with the federal soybean checkoff.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6323056,"Committee advances bill to reorganize Kentucky Department of Agriculture offices for farm safety and economic development",746,706000,1452000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2343235-4c4adf7fa50013c3cc2d8bdc740a6cd0&start=706&end=1452","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2343235-4c4adf7fa50013c3cc2d8bdc740a6cd0/thumbnail_706000.jpg","/articles/6323056/Kentucky/Committee-advances-bill-to-reorganize-Kentucky-Department-of-Agriculture-offices-for-farm-safety-and-economic-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6323056-ab9a672ec843f169ffcc9553ce9f6637/orig.mp4?Expires=1770552540&Signature=I-OzL-n~5pxis5WktybRibbpiiu40SHn~mObBiAZfymzsobUHCcGdsA~qO4Ffw~Thqj-iBkG2kDH2cV1arW09a-Zdi4qcXLti4kRVSA~AMLWnp-cPcImjzJNn8-Z6bx26-Is6V6tbuKMJMwSDZMm-P4ibnrgchjOYqTnquC~ha6mZeDnYkKjrQRXZVVKuAQaVGdcELpwry8ekq1Bx-2ANNZDn5mBs6BMMlNLjsQKMbpK-gDF2cTNPop2cfQ8IYjcjTOe4l3LkUIOcbhWiLHUGXkxUUH5POUhpxnCVEeb0zAYzARsxxZ~gMWaeb~s6KDcIHpDp97-nNWYK079OglUFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 370, a reorganization measure for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, won a favorable recommendation from the House Agriculture Committee after lawmakers and departmental leaders described how the changes would support programs on farm safety, rural health and economic development.

Representative J.T. Payne, state representative for the 11th House District (Henderson County), summarized the bill as “a fairly simple reorganization measure that will allow for major impact within the Department of Agriculture.” Payne said the bill would place a Division of Farm Safety and Rural Health inside the Office of Agricultural Marketing and authorize implementation of an Office of Agricultural Economic Development to continue initiatives such as the department’s “Food Is Medicine,” rural mental-health and farm-safety programs.

Jonathan Schell, Commissioner of Agriculture, told the committee the reorganization is intended to improve departmental efficiency and focus resources on shows and fairs, youth programs and farm-safety initiatives. Schell said the reorganization itself does not change appropriations: “That doesn’t move around the monies. That’s what you all will do next year during the budget process,” he told Representative Watkins when asked if new funding was included.

Committee members asked how the reorganization would affect livestock shows and fairs, which have seen declining participation. Schell described steps the department is taking to grow those programs, including a planned “Livestock Classic” in Casey County framed as a larger showcase for youth participants and 4-H/FFA activities.

The committee moved the bill with Representative Pollock making the motion and Representative Bivens seconding. The committee recorded the measure as passing with favorable expression and indicated it would likely receive the same on the House floor.","House Bill 370 would reorganize divisions inside the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to create an Office of Agricultural Economic Development and fold a Farm Safety and Rural Health division under marketing; the committee advanced the bill after testimony from the department commissioner.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6323061,"Committee approves bill to let churches and nonprofits serve food in disasters and to homeless shelters",484,183000,667000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2343235-4c4adf7fa50013c3cc2d8bdc740a6cd0&start=183&end=667","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2343235-4c4adf7fa50013c3cc2d8bdc740a6cd0/thumbnail_183000.jpg","/articles/6323061/Kentucky/Committee-approves-bill-to-let-churches-and-nonprofits-serve-food-in-disasters-and-to-homeless-shelters","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6323061-8a5037792858a65b77f881c9ebe39b6b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770552540&Signature=AYzX5UmgLz4mu99-Q7MoyhUMWoMD3W8btaxZ~TZxrwhOiLR0g04xjtnTscwPaOG2~0XEx0Qmm8Ko~KhKzkzdjxq4n8pK-uVpf~YojlGDD8BqCxtQJEfbFJJzNj2lKSysvtoYij8-QKeej~EL~sV9zAq5X4Ixs9oIObI09KZ9~NOA-WdxUwQ7~5OvUYsGEsX9PrdeD8zBVaAS6yEzqK~qoSILFeEqU52K7SI6tZ6-bwLcTp92joXaxNqujja-Z0KUYJMZQq2wg11juN8-Bc58ObcmEE3V4L2w~2v8eku6UIJJperT7Vggc~ivvEIRUVjeLVuygOJnWUmq4yK6tXUeIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 186, which would ease regulatory barriers so churches and nonprofit groups can provide food to people in declared disasters and to homeless shelters, cleared the Kentucky House Agriculture Committee after a floor of questions and supportive remarks.

Representative Robert Duvall, state representative for District 17, introduced the bill, saying it “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.” The bill removes a requirement that organizations use an industrial kitchen or specific plumbing to distribute prepared food, as long as the food is safe and wholesome.

The bill is aimed at making it easier for local organizations to respond when communities are hit by floods or other declared emergencies. Representative Donworth asked whether the change applies only to declared natural disasters; Representative Duvall confirmed it applies when there is a “declared natural disaster.” Representative Pollock and others described existing community efforts, with Pollock noting a church-run soup kitchen that serves roughly 800 people and praising local food assistance during emergencies.

Several lawmakers asked about food-safety safeguards. Representative Watkins asked whether donations to shelters are limited to emergency situations; Duvall said donations to homeless shelters are a separate, non-emergency provision. Watkins also asked about training to ensure safe handling of donated food; Duvall said the bill requires food to be safe or “wholesome,” and committee members discussed the value of offering food-safety education through health departments or other providers.

The committee moved the bill with Representative Felicia Rayburn making the motion and Representative Pollock seconding. The committee recorded the measure as passing with favorable expression and indicated it would likely receive the same on the House floor.

The bill does not specify new funding for training or program administration; committee members suggested that any additional education or implementation resources would be addressed separately.","The Kentucky House Agriculture Committee voted to advance House Bill 186, which relaxes requirements that had limited churches and nonprofits from serving food to people displaced by declared natural disasters and to homeless shelters.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances bill raising small-scale honey threshold, easing permit requirement for Kentucky beekeepers

Committee clears cleanup to soybean assessment language; state checkoff would resume if federal program ends

Committee advances bill to reorganize Kentucky Department of Agriculture offices for farm safety and economic development

Committee approves bill to let churches and nonprofits serve food in disasters and to homeless shelters