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HJR 31

A JOINT RESOLUTION relating to contingent appropriations.

2025 Regular Session

authorizes the release of $5,000,000 General Fund from the Budget Reserve Trust Fund to the Department of Agriculture for agricultural economic development in FY 2025–2026.

signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 48)
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Bill Summary · HJR 31

Summary — HJR 31 (Acts Ch. 48, 2025)

A joint resolution authorizing a contingent release of General Fund moneys from the Budget Reserve Trust Fund to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to support agricultural economic development.

Purpose / Intent

To satisfy a condition set in 2024 legislative appropriations (2024 Ky. Acts ch. 223, sec. 64) by authorizing the Office of State Budget Director to release funds after the Department of Agriculture submitted the required proposal. The resolution makes $5,000,000 available in FY 2025–2026 for economic development initiatives within Kentucky’s agriculture industry.

Key provisions

  • Approves and authorizes the Office of State Budget Director to release $5,000,000 in General Fund moneys from the Budget Reserve Trust Fund Account (established under KRS 48.705).
  • Specifies the fiscal year for the release: FY 2025–2026.
  • Directs those funds to the Department of Agriculture budget unit to support economic development initiatives within the agriculture industry, as contemplated by 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 223, sec. 64.
  • Implies the statutory condition (submission of a proposal to the Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue by December 1, 2024) was met — the Department submitted the proposal and the General Assembly approved release.

Who is affected

  • Department of Agriculture: receives and administers $5,000,000 for agricultural economic development programs.
  • Office of State Budget Director: authorized to effect the fund transfer from the Budget Reserve Trust Fund.
  • Budget Reserve Trust Fund (KRS 48.705): will be reduced by $5,000,000 in FY 2025–2026.
  • Agricultural businesses, producers, and related local economies: potential beneficiaries of the economic development initiatives funded by the appropriation.

Fiscal impact

  • One-time release of $5,000,000 of General Fund moneys from the Budget Reserve Trust Fund in FY 2025–2026.
  • The resolution does not specify program-level allocations or grant rules — those details depend on the Department of Agriculture’s implementation consistent with the appropriation language in 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 223, sec. 64.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Condition in law required the Department to submit a proposal by December 1, 2024; that submission occurred.
  • HJR 31 was enacted as Acts Chapter 48 and signed by the Governor on March 19, 2025.
  • Classification: joint resolution (acts to authorize a contingent release rather than create a new ongoing appropriation).

Context / Additional points

  • This resolution finalizes a contingency in prior appropriation law: funds appropriated in 2024 were made conditional on agency action; HJR 31 confirms the condition was satisfied and authorizes release.
  • Implementation specifics (program criteria, grant awards, timelines for use of funds) will be determined by the Department of Agriculture under the existing appropriation authority and applicable state administrative rules.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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