Today marks the 15th legislative day of this 30 day session. There was a very limited legislative schedule due to weather conditions. The House of Representatives did not meet all week and the Senate only convened yesterday and today. When either chamber goes into session is does constitute a legislative day. The General Assembly will adjust this session’s legislative calendar because of the cancelled legislative days earlier this week.

One bill that passed yesterday on a 29-5 vote was SB 106.

SB 106: P. Hornback, W. Westerfield, C. Embry Jr., C. Girdler, S. Humphries, D. Parrett, D. Ridley, M. Wise - AN ACT relating to motor vehicle weight tolerance.  Amend KRS 189.222 to permit a vehicle registered under KRS 186.050(3) transporting certain meats, agricultural crop products, livestock, or poultry to exceed the gross weight provisions by a weight tolerance of 10%; add poultry to items specified in the provisions of KRS 189.222(10) that may exceed the axle weight provisions by 10% without being a violation.

KFB Policy:

“We support the 10% weight exemption on farm trucks and trucks servicing farms hauling agriculture products, similar to the same benefits currently given to the transportation of primary forest products.”

Due to the General Assembly not convening on Tuesday, February 17, our Food Check-Out Day event was postponed. We are trying to secure another date for this event.

Special Election

Please note there will be a Special Election held on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 to fill the vacant 27th Senate District seat. This district includes Bourbon, Fleming, Harrison, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas, Robertson, and Rowan counties.

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS

During the week, you may reach your representative and senator in Frankfort by calling 502.564.8100.

If you do not desire to talk to your state legislator immediately or you just want to leave a message, you may dial toll-free 800.372.7181. An answering service will take your message for your representative or senator. The legislative calendar information line is 800.633.9650, the bill status line is 866.840.2835, and the Governor's office number is 502.564.2611.

YOUR LOBBYISTS

The following are registered to lobby for Kentucky Farm Bureau for the 2015 session: Jeff Harper, Public Affairs Director, extension 5104; Bryan Alvey extension 7218; Tony Sholar, extension 5121, and David S. Beck, extension 5101. If you would like to call your lobbyists during the evening, call

502-352-4280 at the Frankfort headquarters or call 502.495.5000 and key in their extensions.

If you would like to contact one of your lobbyists during the day, please call Sara Stivers at 502.495.5121 and she will put you in touch with one of them.