Today marks the fifty-fifth legislative day of the 2016 session of the Kentucky General Assembly.  The Senate passed their version of the State Budget (HB 303) on Wednesday, March 23 by a vote of 27-2.  The State Budget Conference Committee will begin this evening.

Below is a list on the members of the State Budget Conference Committee: 

Rep. Rick Rand, (Chair)

Rep. Greg Stumbo

Rep. Jody Richards

Rep. Rocky Adkins

Rep. Sannie Overly

Rep. Johnny Bell

Rep. Jeff Hoover

Rep. Stan Lee

Rep. Jim DeCesare

 

Sen. Chris McDaniel, (Chair)

Sen. Robert Stivers

Sen. David Givens

Sen. Damon Thayer

Sen. Dan Seum

Sen. Jimmy Higdon

Sen. Ray Jones

Sen. Gerald Neal

Sen. Julian Carroll

Sen. Robin Webb

The Senate version of the state budget includes removal of all the line item appropriations the House had included from the one time money of $21 million in FY16 of Tobacco Settlement Dollars.

Regarding the Tobacco Settlement Dollars for the next two fiscal years 2017 and 2018:

• County Agricultural Development $8.87 million is FY17 and $9.96 million in FY18;

• $5 million each fiscal year for the Environmental Stewardship Program.

Other provisions of the Senate version of the State Budget include:

• $15.9 million is FY17 and $16.1 million in FY18 in general fund dollars for the Kentucky Department of Agricultural;

• $864,500 each fiscal year for the Division of Conservation to provide direct aid to local conservation districts.

For details on the House version of the budget please see Legislative Report Number 12.

HB 529: R. Rand, S. Rudy, R. Adkins, R. Crimm, M. Denham, D. Elliott, R. Heath, D. Horlander, K. King, M. King, T. McKee, M. Meredith, T. Mills, B. Rowland, W. Stone, C. Tackett, J. Taylor, T. Thompson, J. Tipton, B. Yonts - AN ACT relating to water resources policy.

This bill will establish the 11-member Kentucky Water Resources Board and identify the role and function of the board in developing water resource policy.  It will require the cabinet to provide leadership for on-farm and rural community drought and water assessment monitoring, and improvements for agricultural purposes and authorize the cabinet to receive and disperse federal, state, and other funds for on-farm and community drought and water assessment, monitoring, and improvements.

This bill passed the House or Representatives on Tuesday, March 8, by a vote of 95-0 and passed the Senate on Tuesday March 22, by a vote of 38-0.  The bill now heads to Governor Bevin.

2016 State Priority Issue:

“Support the creation of a Kentucky water resource management program that will create, support, and advocate a coordinated effort to manage water resource projects across the Commonwealth.”

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 2016 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.