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03 Apr

Posted at 06:35h in Advocacy
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In a press conference broadcast on Facebook Live, Governor Laura Kelly announced the signing of House Substitute for Senate Bill 173, enacting the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, Friday afternoon. The bill, much debated in conference committees during the legislative session, sets forth the state's next 10-year transportation plan. Of special interest to Kansas Grain and Feed Association (KGFA), the plan includes a new $15 million, three-year, 70/30 cost-share grant program for improvements to short line rail and rail siding owned or leased by industry. "We applaud the Governor and the...

02 Apr

Posted at 12:49h in Industry News
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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed the CARES act, creating the Paycheck Protection Program under the Small Business Administration (SBA). This guaranteed loan program authorizes approximately $350 billion in forgivable loan funding for small business payroll (including 1099 employees) and other monthly expenses. Under this program: Eligible recipients may qualify for a loan up to $10 million determined by 8 weeks of prior average payroll plus an additional 25% of that amount.Loan payments will be deferred for six months.If you maintain your workforce, the SBA will forgive the portion of the loan proceeds that...

30 Mar

Posted at 13:02h in Regulatory
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During a weekly conference call with Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam (KDA) last Friday, a question was raised about annual air quality operating permits by the KS Dept. of Health and Environment (KDHE), and whether facilities could continue to operate if KDHE had not approved their annual permit due to reduced KDHE staffing from the Emergency Stay-At-Home Order. In reaching out to KDHE, we received the following response from Leo Henning, KDHE Deputy Secretary of Environment: “During this time of reduced staff, KDHE expects the regulated community to continue to...

30 Mar

Posted at 09:15h in Industry News, Regulatory
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Due to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) extensions, and in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Kansas Division of Vehicles will offer on April 1, 2020 limited service to allow custom harvesters the opportunity to schedule appointments for CDL services. You can call today to schedule an appointment today. Appointments can be made at the following locations: - Colby Drivers License Office 990 S Range Ave, Colby, KS Contact for Appointment - Jackie Gray (785) 213-7099 - Dodge City Driver’s License Office 2601 Central Ave, Dodge City, KS Contact for Appointment - Brian Brunt (785) 213-9157 - Edgerton CDL...

28 Mar

Posted at 14:30h in Industry News, Regulatory
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At 11 a.m., today, Governor Laura Kelly issued Executive Order #20-16 establishing a statewide "stay home" order effective 12:01 a.m., Monday, March 30, 2020 and is in conjunction with the previously developed Kansas Essentials Function Framework (KEFF) shared earlier this week. The KEFF is based on national critical function guidelines established for pandemic and other disaster response efforts. The Governor’s Order directs all individuals within the state of Kansas to stay in their residences unless performing an essential activity including but not limited to: Performing, or going to or from work at a business or organization to perform, an essential function...

27 Mar

Posted at 14:39h in Industry News
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Courtesy of: Ag Retailers Association The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) advocates, influences, educates and provides services to support its members in their quest to maintain a profitable business environment, adapt to a changing world and preserve their freedom to operate. The stimulus package passed by Congress contained a number of agriculture provisions to aid farmers and farm suppliers amid the COVID-19 crisis. Find key portions of the bill below to know what kind of help is available to you under the bill from USDA Rural Development, Small Business Administration, and other agencies. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE...

27 Mar

Posted at 14:26h in Regulatory
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The employee can carry this letter with them to provide to law enforcement if asked about violating the County Public Health Order. The letter states that the company is an essential business, and that the employee performs essential activities for the company. For this reason, the employee may travel and work in the county during the emergency order. Download letter ...

26 Mar

Posted at 13:39h in Industry News, Regulatory
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FMCSA Hours of Service Waiver Extended to Fertilizer and Animal Feed On Friday, March 13, President Trump declared a nationwide state of emergency on the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.  Following the President’s declaration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a nationwide Emergency Declaration. The emergency declaration suspends hours of service (HOS) regulations in all 50 states and Washington D.C. for drivers who are directly transporting supplies (including food) which are “incident to the immediate restoration of essential services” related to the COVID-19 emergency. In order to fall under the waiver, the commercial motor vehicle must be providing “direct assistance...

25 Mar

Posted at 11:59h in Advocacy, Industry News, Regulatory
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FMCSA has issued a waiver in response to COVID-19 outbreaks as several states are experiencing employee absences or have closed offices.  As a result, many drivers are unable to renew their CDLs or are unable to provide medical certificates.  In addition, many medical providers nationwide have canceled appointments to dedicate resources to the COVID-19 response.  As a result, drivers are unable to obtain physicals to comply with the regulations.  Among the provisions, this waiver extends the expiration of CDLs due for renewal on or after March 1, 2020 until June 30, 2020.  It also waives the requirement that...

25 Mar

Posted at 07:38h in Advocacy, Industry News, Regulatory
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Beginning Friday, March 20, 2020, at least 14 Kansas counties have issued emergency “stay at home” orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of these local orders defines, and exempts, “essential businesses.” Earlier this week, Governor Laura Kelly issued Executive Order #20-15. This Executive Order establishes a “Kansas Essential Functions Framework (KEFF)” to identify a state-wide list of “essential businesses.” The KEFF is based on national critical function guidelines established for pandemic and other disaster response efforts. The Governor’s Order identifies agribusiness, grain storage, and biofuel production as essential functions...

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