Brief ⁽¹⁾

HB 2246 amends a drainage district law (KSA 24,601 et seq.,) to change the process for expansion of drainage districts by seeking such approval from the board of county commissioners and to expand the powers of these drainage districts to mirror powers of drainage districts formed under a different drainage district law including the power to levy a property tax (KSA 24-501 et seq.).

The bill also authorizes these drainage districts to enter into agreements with owners of land located outside the district allowing water from these lands to drain into the district. The bill provides that where no agreement is reached, a court action may be initiated to bring these lands within the drainage district and to charge the landowners for the drainage benefit. Any judgement rendered becomes a lien against the property. Land affected which is located within a city located in a county with an assessed valuation of more than $150 million may not be added without the city governing body's approval.

The bill also permits another drainage district to be named a defendant in such action and to be charged for any benefit the district receives of the drainage of its lands.

The House Committee made a technical amendment to the bill.

Background

The bill was supported by Representative Ward Loyd to give Drainage District No. 1 in Finney County the powers necessary to deal with continual urban development in the area. Representatives of Drainage District No. 1 appeared in support of the bill.

1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/fulltext.cgi