Kentucky allows local school districts to purchase local agricultural products outside standard procurement laws

Original title: AN ACT relating to Kentucky-grown agricultural product procurement and declaring an emergency.

Last action · March 27, 2026: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 8)Sponsors: Jason Howell and 5 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Does

Kentucky local school boards and districts participating in USDA child nutrition programs are newly authorized to buy Kentucky-grown s without complying with standard competitive bidding and procurement statutes. The law takes effect immediately upon receiving the Governor's signature on March 27, 2026.

Why it matters

Local school districts gain a direct purchasing pathway for regional farm goods intended for student meals, bypassing traditional bidding requirements while remaining bound by all other applicable state and federal regulations.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Local school boards and districts

Local school boards and districts gain the legal authority to purchase Kentucky-grown agricultural products outside of standard state competitive bidding statutes.

Directly affected

Agricultural producers

Kentucky agricultural producers are directly impacted by having a streamlined procurement pathway for selling local farm products to school districts.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which school districts can use this new purchasing authority?

Local school boards or local school districts that participate in United States Department of Agriculture Child Nutrition Programs.

Does this exemption excuse schools from all state and federal regulations?

No. The law explicitly states it does not exempt school boards or districts from any other requirement established by state or federal law.

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

14 actions

Mar 27, 2026SenateEnrolled
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 8)
Mar 24, 2026HouseEnrolled
received in Senate to Rules (S) taken from Rules posted for passage for concurrence in House Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title) Senate concurred in Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title) passed 35-0 enrolled, signed by President of the Senate enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House delivered to Governor
Mar 20, 2026SenateFloor
3rd reading, passed 92-0 with Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
Mar 19, 2026Senate
posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, March 20 2026
Mar 17, 2026Senate
floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute , floor amendment (2-title) filed to bill
Mar 12, 2026SenateFloor
2nd reading, to Rules

Show 8 earlier actions

Mar 11, 2026Senate
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1) and Committee Amendment (1-title)
Mar 4, 2026HouseCommittee
to Agriculture (H)
Feb 6, 2026HouseIntroduced
received in House to Committee on Committees (H)
Feb 5, 2026SenateFloor
3rd reading, passed 38-0
Feb 4, 2026SenateFloor
2nd reading, to Rules posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, February 05 2026
Feb 3, 2026Senate
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
Jan 30, 2026SenateCommittee
to Agriculture (S)
Jan 28, 2026SenateIntroduced
introduced in Senate to Committee on Committees (S)

Version history

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