KLA staff testified on a multitude of bills during the last full week of committee meetings prior to turnaround. Committees held numerous hearings and worked bills to ensure they would be heard on the House and Senate floors next week.
Water - KLA testified in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee in support of HB 2172. The bill would establish a Water Program Task Force to evaluate and ensure the financial resources are adequate for the state’s water program. The task force would include 29 appointed members, of which KLA could designate one.
KLA also testified in the House Water Committee in support of HB 2113. This bill would increase annual funding for the State Water Plan by $20 million, which would bring the total to $55 million beginning July 1, 2025.
KLA testified in opposition to HB 2114 in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. The bill, which was brought forth by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, would increase dam inspection fees and authorize the chief engineer to collect annual permit fees. It also would require the chief engineer to conduct safety inspections of dams based on hazard class, unless a licensed professional engineer approved by the chief engineer conducts the inspection in which case the fee would not be paid. During testimony, KLA staff offered several amendments that would better align the bill with KLA policy on the Division of Water Resources Water Structures Program.
Energy - KLA testified in the House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee on HB 2107. KLA initially testified in opposition to the bill due to concerns it would limit the recovery of landowners when their property is damaged or destroyed by a fire and an electric public utility is found at fault. KLA was able to work with the electric utilities that drafted the legislation on an amendment that struck problematic language regarding how economic damages would be calculated. KLA now is neutral on the bill.
KLA jointly testified with the Kansas Farm Bureau in support of SB 92 in the Senate Utilities Committee. This bill would extend the timeline from 120 to 180 days in which the Kansas Corporation Commission can make a final order on a transmission line siting application. Extending the timeline could allow additional opportunities for public and landowner input and promote clarity in the process.
Property tax - KLA testified as neutral on HCR 5011 in the House Committee on Taxation. The proposed constitutional amendment would change how residential property is valued for tax purposes. It would allow property to be valued based on the lesser of fair market value or a rolling fair market average. KLA acknowledged a rolling average may take away some of the sharp annual changes in property valuations, but expressed concerns with how it might be implemented. Staff suggested the committee phase in the rolling average to avoid adverse impacts to other property classes, such as agricultural land.
Milk marketing trust - KLA testified in support of HB 2254 in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. The bill, which was requested for introduction by KLA, would require milk processors to hold payments in trust for milk producers until full payment is received. It also requires a milk producer to give written notice of nonpayment within 30 days after the payment was due to be eligible to receive the trust funds.
Livestock theft - KLA testified in support of HB 2253 in the House Judiciary Committee. The bill would increase the severity level of crime for livestock theft to a level 5, nonperson felony.
Nonresident landowner deer permits - KLA testified in support of SB 80 in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. The bill, which was introduced by KLA, would remove the ability of the secretary of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to issue nonresident landowner deer permits. KLA asked for an amendment that would clarify the bill applies to nonresident tenant deer permits.