Bill > HB216

This bill modifies regulations for employees of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture regarding their participation in agricultural development programs. Specifically, the bill allows employees of the Department of Agriculture who are not employed within the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy (KOAP) to participate in, apply for, and receive funds, awards, or contracts administered by the KOAP's Agricultural Development Board or Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation. The bill makes this provision retroactive to March 12, 2021, effectively addressing a previous restriction that prevented these employees from accessing agricultural development resources. By amending the existing ethics regulations in KRS 11A.040, the bill creates an exception to the general rules prohibiting public servants from benefiting from state agency programs. The legislation is presented as an emergency measure, highlighting the importance of agricultural resources and the need for immediate implementation. The bill emphasizes that agriculture is crucial to the well-being of Kentucky's citizens and that access to state resources is vital for the advancement of the agricultural industry.