By Scout Nelson
The Kansas Legislature is actively reviewing multiple bills affecting agriculture, energy, and transportation as hearings continue in the third week of the session. Several key legislative proposals are progressing through committees, addressing taxation, landowner rights, and infrastructure concerns.
A significant measure, SB 35, passed the Senate with a 38-2 vote. The bill would eliminate the 1.5 mill levy for the Kansas educational and state institutions building fund, offering broad property tax relief.
Another tax-related bill, HB 2011, which reduces the statewide mill levy for schools from 20 to 18.5 mills, was amended to increase the residential exemption from $75,000 to $100,000.
In the energy sector, HB 2040, supported by multiple agricultural organizations, seeks to extend the state corporation commission’s review period for transmission line siting applications from 120 to 180 days.
This extension aims to improve transparency and allow more public and landowner input. SB 61, another energy-related bill, would require electric utilities to cover attorney fees when landowners successfully appeal appraised compensation amounts in court. This provision ensures fairness in eminent domain disputes.
Water conservation efforts are also a priority. SB 58 would revise the current multi-year flex account statute, removing historical water use as a basis for irrigation allocations. This update would help producers make informed decisions about water conservation while maintaining efficiency.
For the transportation sector, SB 17 proposes exemptions for grain and agricultural commodity haulers from certain truck weight limits during harvest. The bill includes provisions for an excess weight tolerance of up to 12.5% for hauls within 50 miles of market. An amendment has been recommended to extend the exemption to livestock transportation.
These legislative efforts demonstrate Kansas lawmakers’ focus on policies that support agricultural growth, improve fairness in land and utility disputes, and enhance water and transportation management. The bills continue to progress through hearings, shaping future agricultural policies in the state.
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Categories: Kansas, Energy, Government & Policy