Chairman Bergquist opened the hearing on HB2495.

Jason Long, Revisor of Statutes (Attachment 18) gave an overview of the bill. He explained that the bill would authorize counties to regulate activities on or within navigable waters.

Representative Bob Lewis, 123rd District(Attachment 19) testified as a proponent to the bill. He explained that the bill would provide counties needed authority to deal with any future squatters who refuse to leave even after help has been offered and to sanction those who, though not living in the riverbed, are using it as a trash dump site or to engage in other unlawful or destructive activity.

Vicki Germann, County Chair, Finney County (Attachment 20) testified as a proponent to the bill.  She explained that the bill provided counties with the statutory authority to adopt resolutions regulating activities on or within navigable rivers.

The following person provided proponent written only testimony:

• Aaron Popelka, Vice President of Legal and Governmental Affairs, Kansas Livestock Association (Attachment 21) 

David Sain, Friends of the Kaw (Attachment 22) provided opponent testimony to the bill.  He explained that the Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri rivers flowing in Kansas should remain accessible to the public and managed as they are presently.

Dawn Buehler, Friends of the Kaw (Attachment 23) provided opponent testimony to the bill.  She explained that by extending county authority into the river itself, the bill creates legal uncertainty for long-standing lawful recreation and threatens ongoing riverfront development efforts in communities along these limited public waterways.

Jeff Hancock, on behalf of Kansas Outdoor Heritage Alliance (Attachment 24) testified as an opponent to the bill. He explained that existing state, federal, and local authorities already provide adequate mechanisms to address concerns related to navigable waters.

Christina Guidry, Director of Policy and Planning, (Attachment 25) United Community Services testified as an opponent to the bill.  She explained that this bill offers no solutions for shelter or housing stability; rather, it makes it a class B misdemeanor, punishable by a minimum of 48 hours of incarceration, to camp on or near a river 

Hannes Zacharias, private citizen(Attachment 26) testified as an opponent to the bill.  He explained that the bill is not needed to solve current  health and safety concerns taking place in, on, or around Kansas' three navigable rivers and could diminish or prevent current and future public use of this public land.

Andrea Mulford, private citizen (Attachment 27) testified as an opponent to the bill.  She asked to keep the rivers public so it is not a crime to enjoy the sunset on a sandbar,  to remove deteriorating tires from the mud, or watch your child reel in a catfish.  

Adam Hixson, private citizen (Attachment 28) testified as an opponent to the bill. He explained that further regulations put on our few remaining navigable waterways could have devastating impacts on his city, community, and lifestyle. 

Christine English Baird, private citizen (Attachment 29) testified as an opponent via WebEx to the bill.  She explained that as a previously homeless person, places along the riverbanks were not a choice made out of defiance, rather they were often the only place left when shelters were full, unsafe, or unavailable.

Kayla Knier, Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition (Attachment 30) testified via WebEx as an opponent to the bill.  She explained that a bill that criminalizes homelessness will not solve the problem.  The path to long-term progress starts with investing in systems that already exist and ensuring that the local service providers doing the work are part of the planning process.

Molly Mendenhall, Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition (Attachment 31) testified via WebEx as an opponent to the bill.  She explained that homelessness is a housing problem. No amount of criminalization, jail stays, court dates, or fines and fees will provide access to safe, affordable housing.

Written Only Testimony:

• Last names A-L (Attachment 32)
• Last names M-Z (Attachment 33)

Chairman Bergqist closed the hearing on HB2495.

Meeting adjourned at 10:27 a.m.