News & Government - Kansas Water Office

Legislative Update

The KWO Legislative Update is intended to keep persons interested in water issues apprised of legislation and associated legislative actions that pertain to these matters. Highlighted bills pertain to the Governor's water policy proposals.

For complete information on a bill, go to the new Kansas Legislative Information Systems and Services web site.

Another helpful link is State Library of Kansas

SB 122 - authorizing the director of the KWO to grant easements on state property on the Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri rivers. - Approved by the Governor 4/7/11
SB 124 - concerning the KWO; relating to water supply storage access and creating the Lower Smoky Hill Water Supply Access Program. - Approved by the Governor 5/19/11
SB 147 - interstate water litigation fund.
SB 186 - Pesticides; hearing prior to denial, suspension or revocation of license, registration or certification - Approved by the Governor 3/31/11
SB 187 - making the Water Bank Act permanent.
SB 188 - Amending the exemptions from a solid waste permit. - Approved by the Governor 3/31/11
SB 194 - allowing homestead rights to continue after annexation until land is sold after annexation.
SB 214 - House Substitute for SB 214 by Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources - Amendments related to groundwater management districts and stream obstruction permitting. - Approved by the Governor 5/12/11
SB 252 - rules and regulations filing act; change in notice period; agency name changes.
SB 272 - concerning water; relating to administrative division of water right; fee; multi-year flex accounts - Testimony
SB 310 - establishing local enhanced management areas. - Testimony
HB 2096 - providing for a coordinated water date repository system; granting preservation easements; drinking water costs in water plan storage rates.
HB 2109 - creating the Kansas dam rehabilitation program.
HB 2116 - establishing state property tax levy for state water infrastructure maintenance, construction, renovation and acquisition.
HB 2183 - an Act concerning environmental protection; relating to the interstate environmental freedom compact.
HB 2231 - updating the provisions regarding water bank flex accounts.
HB 2271 - amending the inspection and regulation of livek plant dealers and plant pests by the department of agriculture. Approved by the Governor 5/12/11
HB 2272 - exempting certain minor construction projects from state and federal water regulations.
HB 2451 - eliminating "use it or lose it" for groundawter rights in areas closed to new water right development.
HB 2516 - A bill that amends the water bank law; allows a charter to become permanent - Testimony
HB 2517 - A bill making the Water Transition Assistance Program permanent - Testimony
HB 2526 - An act concerning oil and gas; relating to regulation of hydraulic fracturing.
HB 2528 - Establishing grant programs for stream bank stabilization and multi-purpose small lakes.
HB 2553 - Tort claims act; attorney general representation; Nemaha-Brown watershed district.
HB 2685 - Allowing eligible water right holders to create reservoir improvement districts. - Testimony
HR 6009 - A RESOLUTION urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to accept "Life of the Project" conservation easements.