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.