KDHE implements ‘Find My Vaccine’ on new COVID-19 vaccine website
February 04, 2021
Governor Laura Kelly announced the launch of the “Find My Vaccine” mapping tool to assist in location of sites administering COVID-19 vaccines in Kansas.
KDHE launches COVID-19 vaccine website
January 19, 2021
Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment has launched a website dedicated strictly to COVID-19 vaccination information.
Governor Laura Kelly announces five vaccine phases in Kansas: Agriculture listed
January 08, 2021
Governor Laura Kelly has announced the five-phase distribution order of COVID-19 vaccines for population groups in Kansas.
KARA organizes industry effort for prioritizing COVID-19 vaccination priority among agricultural workforce
December 07, 2020
On Friday, Dec. 4, Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association (KARA) organized a coalition of 14 agriculture-related organizations and led efforts of sending a letter to Governor Laura Kelly and Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam emphasizing prioritizing distribution of COVID-19 vaccines among agricultural employees.
Governor Laura Kelly issues second statewide mask mandate
November 19, 2020
Governor Laura Kelly has announced several new plans to combat the spike in COVID-19 cases, among them a statewide face-covering protocol. This order allows counties one week to create their own version of a mask ordinance or they will automatically come under the governor’s face mask requirements. However, they can still opt out of the order under state law.
Governor Laura Kelly extends relief from certain motor carrier rules and regulations until Dec. 31
September 16, 2020
This week, Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive order No. 20-65, extending conditional and temporary relief from certain motor carrier rules and regulations. The rule is set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2020 or until the statewide State of Disaster Emergency extended by House Bill 2016 expires, whichever is earlier.
State Finance Council extends emergency declaration & Update from KDOT
September 11, 2020
On Friday, September 11, 2020, the State Finance Council met to consider Governor Kelly’s request to extend her COVID-19 related disaster declaration which is set to expire on Tuesday, September 15th.
Kansas Dept. of Commerce Announces State Grant Program for Businesses Affected by COVID Pandemic
August 12, 2020
The Economic Development and Connectivity grant program is a new COVID response program that will use $60 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide grants to small businesses and nonprofits that have incurred losses greater than 25% of revenues during the COVID pandemic, among other eligible categories.
Governor Laura Kelly issues Executive Order No. 20-57
July 15, 2020
This week, Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive order No. 20-57, extending conditional and temporary relief from certain motor carrier rules and regulations. The rule is set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on August 14, 2020 or until the statewide State of Disaster Emergency extended by House Bill 2016 expires, whichever is earlier.
Governor Laura Kelly Issues Statewide Mask Mandate
June 29, 2020
Due to increasing COVID-19 cases, Governor Laura Kelly issued a statewide mask mandate at her press conference this afternoon in Topeka.
Governor Laura Kelly issues Executive Order No. 20-45
June 15, 2020
Governor Laura Kelly’s Executive Order 20-33, maintaining the 10 percent weight waiver up to 90,000 lbs for trucks hauling essential goods and supplies expires on June 14, 2020.
Kansas Executive Order 20-33, Motor Carrier Extension – Expiring on June 14
May 18, 2020
Governor Laura Kelly’s Executive Order 20-33, maintaining the 10 percent weight waiver up to 90,000 lbs for trucks hauling essential goods and supplies expires on June 14, 2020.
Governor Kelly adds new phase to “Ad Astra” plan
May 14, 2020
This afternoon, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive Order 20-31, which establishes a new phase to the “Ad Astra: Plan to Reopen Kansas.” The new “1.5” Phase, effective May 18, 2020, continues reopening efforts while preserving some data-driven restrictions necessary to prevent community transmission of COVID-19.
SBA to make loans specifically for agribusinesses
May 04, 2020
U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza announced today that agricultural businesses are now eligible for SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance programs.
Governor Kelly details plan to re-open Kansas
April 30, 2020
This evening, Governor Laura Kelly issued executive guidance on her six-week plan to re-open the state of Kansas amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19: SBA PPP Update & Gov. Kelly Plan to Reopen Kansas
April 29, 2020
The U.S. Small Business Agency (SBA) will begin taking loan applications today at 9:30 am for its Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Kansas Governor Laura Kelly is expected early this week to release her plan to reopen the state as the COVID-19 begins to ease.
Congress Passes 4th COVID-19 Response Bill Thursday
April 24, 2020
Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives followed the Senate’s vote on Tuesday to pass the fourth COVID-19 response bill aimed to shore up funding for small businesses hurt by the global pandemic.
Kansas Capitol Review – Legislature Pushes Back Date to Reconvene
April 22, 2020
On Wednesday, April 22, 2020, the Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC) of the Kansas Legislature met to discuss the possible reconvening of the legislature.
NGFA: Important Message on Obtaining PPE in Response to COVID-19
April 21, 2020
For the past several weeks, National Grain and Feed Association has been working intensely with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the FEMA Supply Chain Stabilization Task Force to prioritize the needs of the food and agriculture sector for access to available personal protection equipment (PPE), as well as disinfectants and sanitation supplies, to protect the health and safety of employees within the sector and to retain consumer confidence.
FMCSA Releases Guidelines on CDL Renewals and Seasonal Drivers
April 21, 2020
Last week, the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) published a set of answers to frequently asked questions regarding State Driver Licensing Agencies and commercial driver’s license holders during the COVID-19 pandemic. This information may be helpful to members as it relates to retention of current drivers and the licensing of new seasonal drivers. The FAQ’s specifically address HAZMAT endorsements and skills tests for new drivers.
Kansas Capitol Review – Interim Report
April 21, 2020
In March, the Legislature passed a budget for the remainder of fiscal year ’20 (through June 30) and for fiscal year 2021. At the time, the state’s ending balance June 30 would have been $927 million, and was projected to be $730 million at the end of 2021.
USCIS Temporarily Amends Certain H-2A Requirements During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
April 17, 2020
On April 20, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security and USCIS will publish a temporary final rule to amend certain H-2A requirements to help U.S. agricultural employers avoid disruptions in lawful agricultural-related employment, protect the nation’s food supply chain, and lessen impacts from the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency.
Governor Kelly Extends Stay at Home Order to May 3 … Agribusiness Still Exempt
April 16, 2020
This afternoon, Governor Laura Kelly issued Executive Order #20-23 extending the statewide “stay home” set to expire April 19, to midnight May 3.
OSHA Releases Guidance Determining COVID-19 as a Recordable Illness
April 16, 2020
Last Friday, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued an enforcement guidance with details on how employers should record occupational illnesses, specifically cases of the COVID-19.
SBA Resources & Kansas Executive Order 20-22, Motor Carrier Extension
April 14, 2020
Governor Laura Kelly has issued Executive Order 20-22 which extends the previous Executive Order 20-09, which expired on April 12, 2020. The Order maintains the 10% weight wavier up to 90,000 lbs for trucks hauling essential goods and supplies.
OSHA Issues New Respirator Guidance
April 09, 2020
The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued new enforcement guidance on the use of respiratory protection equipment certified under international standards or other jurisdictions during the coronavirus disease pandemic.
TSA Grants Temporary Exemption for Hazardous Material Endorsement Holders
April 08, 2020
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is granting a temporary exemption from requirements regarding expiration of TSA security threat assessments (STAs) for Hazardous Material Endorsement (HME).
Small Business Administration – New Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
April 02, 2020
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.
Kansas Division of Vehicles Offering limited service CDL Appointments
March 30, 2020
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.
Governor Issues Statewide “Stay At Home” Order … Kansas Agribusiness Exempt
March 28, 2020
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.
Congress Stimulus Package
March 27, 2020
The stimulus package passed by Congress contained a number of agriculture provisions to aid farmers and farm suppliers amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Essential Employee Documentation
March 27, 2020
Members can format for their own use for their employees to carry with them as they travel and work within a county that is under an Emergency Public Health Order.
FMCSA emergency actions
March 26, 2020
On Friday, March 13, President Trump declared a nationwide state of emergency on the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic and the national Coronavirus/COVID-19 emergency has caused some state agency offices and medical offices to close, making it difficult for commercial drivers to renew their licenses or receive medical certificates.
FMCSA Issues Waiver in Response to COVID-19
March 25, 2020
FMCSA has issued a waiver in response to COVID-19 outbreaks as several states are experiencing employee absences or have closed offices.
County “Stay at Home” Orders – Know What to Do
March 25, 2020
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.”
Governor’s Executive Order Does Apply Agriculture Products
March 24, 2020
Governor Laura Kelly’s Executive Order 20-09 (view by clicking the button below or HERE) allows a 10% weight waiver for motor carriers of essential services and food supplies. For our members’ clarification of the Executive Order, we requested clarification from the Kansas Highway Patrol if the waiver applies to the following:
COVID-19 County Emergency Public Health Order Update
March 24, 2020
Kansas Grain and Feed Association has partnered with Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council to work on behalf of the agribusiness and shared cooperative industries during this uncertain time.
KARA leads COVID-19 outreach effort to Governor’s office
March 23, 2020
Throughout this unprecedented time in our country, we have been working non-stop to ensure COVID-19 executive orders from Topeka do not impede on your ability to feed the world. In coordination with 15 agriculture-related organizations, known as the Kansas Agricultural Alliance, we spearheaded the effort to send the letter below to Governor Laura Kelly and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam this morning.
KDA: Continuity of Kansas Ag Industry Remains a Priority
March 18, 2020
Please find below a press release from the Kansas Department of Agriculture stressing the importance of our industry and the vital role you play in the state, national and international supply chain. Your association has been in close communication with our state and federal regulators since the onset of the COVID-19 game changer and have received insurances that robust agribusiness operations are vital to keep the country moving.
Spring CDL Schools in Manhattan & Hays CANCELED
March 16, 2020
Due to ongoing concerns over the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association has canceled its upcoming CDL Exam Preparation schools scheduled for March 26 and April 16 in Manhattan and Hays respectively.