Chairman Delperdang opened the hearing on SB380

Nick Myers, Office of Revisor of Statues provided an overview of the bill(Attachment1) and responded to questions from the committee members.

Proponents:

Ted Augustine, Triplett, Inc. 24/7 Travel Stores (Attachment2) explained the bill would provide certainty for companies like 24/7 Travel Store who would want to enter the market but had concerns about making the substantial capital investment to construct electric vehicle, EV, fast chargers without guardrails to protect their investment from being undercut by electric utility-owned EV fast chargers.

Brian Posler, Fuel True Independent Energy and Convenience (Attachment3) is in support of the bill for his fuel retailers that want to provide the products their customers would want to purchase, including EV charging services but require potentially risky, significant upfront capital investments.

Robert Baratta, Americans for Affordable Clean Energy (Attachment4) explained the bill would help to create a level playing field in the Kansas electric vehicle fast charging market that we believe would be needed in order for private sector investments to be made as the electric vehicle market continues to develop.

Neutrals:

Laura Lutz, Evergy (Attachment5) is committed to supporting the ongoing transition to EV's and the development of EV charging infrastructure in Kansas. She added Evergy had a rebate program designed to incentivize non-utilities to install, own and operate their own public charging stations.

Kimberly Gencur Svaty on behalf of Kansas Municipal Utilities, KMU, (Attachment6) believes with the ebb and flow in the EV industry coupled with necessity to recover mandated investments, KMU respectfully request that a five-year sunset in lieu of a five-year review be added to the bill.

Reagan McCloud, Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (Attachment7) respectfully urges the committee to amend the bill to include a true 5-year sunset provision requiring affirmative renewal based on demonstrated success. He added this would protect all stakeholders, allow the industry to prove effectiveness and provide a mechanism to address unintended consequences.

There were no opponent testimony.

Conferee responded to questions from the committee members.

WRITTEN ONLY TESTIMONY:

Jay Smith, Charge Ahead Partnership (Attachment8)

Justin Grady, Kansas Corporation Commission (Attachment9)

Joseph Astrab, Citizens' Utility Ratepayer Board (Attachment10)

Chairman Delperdang closed the hearing on SB380.