Frankfort, Kentucky (March 1, 2023) – The Kentucky House of Representatives entertained a vote on HB 130, sponsored by Representative Amy Neighbors, yesterday which expands the variety of farming equipment offered through local shared-use equipment leasing programs.

HB 130 grants farmers and producers the ability to lease more specialized equipment through the Kentucky Shared-Use Equipment Program and allows them to use that equipment on farming operations that may not be within the county they lease from. 

“This measure is a way to ensure that our producers have the equipment they need when they need it and at an affordable price,” said Representative Neighbors. “Expanding the shared-use equipment leasing program protocol will be integral to making these local operations more efficient.”

The Shared-Use Equipment Program is offered through the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund and is powered by local fiscal courts and conservation offices. Currently, the scope of equipment offered through this program is limited, and HB 130 allows the program to include specialized equipment and machinery that would otherwise be a burden to the farmer to purchase.

HB 130 passed the House unanimously and is now headed to the senate for a vote.

For more information regarding HB 130 as well as current and past legislative measures, please visit legislature.ky.gov or click here.