State Priorities - Kentucky Farm Bureau

State Priorities

KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU 2024 STATE PRIORITY ISSUES

AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

  • Maintain allocating 50% of the Master Settlement Agreement funds to the  Agricultural Development Board, and funds be spent for the purpose of improving the net farm income of individual farmers in production agriculture.
  • Support continued funding of the Soil Erosion and Water Quality Cost-Share Program.
  • Support an efficient, well-administered and adequately financed Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

TAXATION

  • Kentucky’s tax code should be reformed based on sound economic principles to create a more competitive business climate.
  • Strongly oppose freezing the state real property tax rate.
  • Support the provisions of House Bill 44 (KRS 132.010). Revenue from property taxes should continue to be limited to 4% plus new growth. Proposals to exceed 4% should automatically go to the voters.
  • Maintain Kentucky’s sales tax exemptions for production agriculture and establish a process for obtaining a wallet-sized sales tax exemption card.

HIGHWAYS, ROADS, AND BRIDGES

  • Support the rural secondary and county road aid programs and continuation of the 22.2% allocation of the state gasoline tax revenue for rural roads.

ENERGY

  • Support a decommissioning bond on all commercial solar projects. These bonds should be reviewed at least every three years.
  • Support oversight of ownership and control for energy infrastructure.

AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS

  • Support lowering the acreage requirement for establishing an agricultural district.

RURAL DEVELOPMENT

  • Support funding for the broadband deployment fund.
  • Support efforts and incentives to improve and provide all telecommunications in rural Kentucky.
  • Support efforts that will retain and attract new business and industry to rural areas of Kentucky.
  • Support increased funding for Kentucky riverports to upgrade their agricultural infrastructure.

WATER RESOURCES

  • Support the Kentucky Water Resources Board and advocate a coordinated effort to manage water resource projects across the Commonwealth.

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

  • Seek effective wildlife management that will reduce the wildlife population in an effort to alleviate continued crop and livestock losses, automobile accidents, human injuries, and loss of life.

REGULATORY AUTHORITY

  • Oppose any agency exceeding legislative intent in the implementation of regulations.
  • Oppose the power of eminent domain being used to take private property for private use.

FORESTRY

  • Support forestry initiatives that enhance the economy and create opportunities for woodland owners.