Login Join

Newsroom

03 Apr

Posted at 06:40h in Advocacy
0 Likes

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 Agribusiness Retailers Association (KARA), 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 Legislature’s work in...

02 Apr

Posted at 12:49h in Industry News
0 Likes

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...

30 Mar

Posted at 09:19h in Industry News, Regulatory
0 Likes

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...

28 Mar

Posted at 14:41h in Industry News, Regulatory
0 Likes

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...

27 Mar

Posted at 14:43h in Industry News
0 Likes

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....

27 Mar

Posted at 14:29h in Regulatory
0 Likes

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 13:40h in Industry News, Regulatory
0 Likes

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,...

25 Mar

Posted at 12:00h in Advocacy, Industry News, Regulatory
0 Likes

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,...

25 Mar

Posted at 07:41h in Advocacy, Industry News, Regulatory
0 Likes

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 and...

24 Mar

Posted at 07:53h in Advocacy, Industry News, Regulatory
0 Likes

Governor’s Executive Order Does Apply to Agriculture Products However, be ready to answer some questions about your load 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: transport of agricultural crop inputs (seed/pesticide/fertilizer/diesel) from import/manufacturer to the end user/farmer transport of grain from farm to elevator transport of grain from...

X
X