Senate committee approves resolution urging revenue office to study issuing wallet-sized tax-exempt cards for farmers

The Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee voted to give favorable expression to Senate Joint Resolution 25, which asks the state Revenue Cabinet to study issuing wallet-sized tax-exempt cards to farmers and report back during the interim session.

“ It simply provides, [for] the revenue department [to] provide them with a tax exempt card with their tax exempt numbers that they can carry in their wallets,” the sponsor told the committee, describing the change as a convenience for farmers who currently carry an 8-by-11 printout. The sponsor said the resolution does not create an appropriation or require the General Assembly to commit funds; it only requests a report on potential costs and software solutions other states use.

The committee recorded a motion from Senator Givens and a second from Senator Nunn. Several senators recorded aye votes during roll call. Chair McDaniel announced the measure had the required affirmative votes and “passes with favorable expression onto the floor.” The committee did not specify a fiscal note in the record; the sponsor said the Revenue Cabinet indicated it could implement the cards but the committee wanted the cabinet to appear during the interim to give a cost estimate.

Votes at a glance: motion to give SJR 25 favorable expression — mover: Sen. Givens; second: Sen. Nunn; outcome: approved; roll-call yea votes recorded in the transcript include Senator Boswell, Senator Funky Fromeier, Senator Givens, Senator Meydon, Senator Richardson and Chair McDaniel; committee announcement recorded 10 yeas and 0 nays.

Ending: The committee advanced the resolution with a recommendation that the Revenue Cabinet present cost options during the interim; the resolution makes no appropriation or binding commitment by the General Assembly.