HOWELL’S SENATE BILL 5 AND 199
BOTH CLEAR HOUSE COMMITTEE
Bill makes it easier to source Kentucky-grown food for schools; other aligns Kentucky with federal environmental standards
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Mar. 12, 2026) — Two measures sponsored by Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, advanced Wednesday after receiving approval from the House Banking and Insurance Committee.
Senate Bill (SB) 5 and SB 199 both cleared the committee and are now eligible to be considered by the full House of Representatives. Both bills have earned broad support from Kentucky’s agricultural communities. Testifying alongside Howell before the House committee was Kentucky Farm Bureau President Eddie Melton.
SB 5 removes barriers that have made it difficult for Kentucky schools to purchase locally grown agricultural products, helping connect students with fresh food while supporting in-state farmers.
The legislation builds on the “Food is Medicine” initiative launched by Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, which promotes the use of fresh, locally sourced food to improve health outcomes and reduce long-term health care costs. The initiative has focused on increasing access to nutritious food in schools, hospitals and high-need communities across the commonwealth.
“SB 5 makes it easier for our schools to purchase Kentucky-grown food by removing unnecessary procurement barriers and giving districts the flexibility to work directly with local farmers,” Howell said. “Because many children receive up to 60 percent of their daily calories at school, improving the quality of those meals is an important step in supporting better health. This bill also strengthens training and certification for school food service directors so we can continue promoting strong nutrition practices in our schools.”
The second measure, SB 199, aligns Kentucky’s pesticide labeling standards with federal law and provides clarity for manufacturers, retailers and consumers operating in Kentucky.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has exclusive authority over pesticide regulation, including the content of warning labels. SB 199 establishes that a pesticide label approved by the EPA under federal law is deemed a sufficient warning label under Kentucky law for purposes of state duty-to-warn claims. By recognizing EPA-approved labels as meeting state requirements, the bill ensures consistency with federal standards and helps protect Kentucky farmers from product price increases driven by frivolous lawsuit exposure.
Howell said the legislation would provide regulatory certainty while maintaining strong consumer protections. The measure also preserves accountability by maintaining liability in cases where a manufacturer knowingly withholds or misrepresents material safety information.
“Kentucky should not create conflicting standards when clear, science-based labeling requirements already exist at the federal level,” Howell said. “SB 199 keeps our state consistent with federal law, provides clarity for farmers and businesses, and ensures accountability remains in place when safety information is knowingly withheld or misrepresented.”
Both bills may now be taken up by the full House.