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Minutes for HB2633 - Committee on Water
Short Title
Providing for additional sources of revenue for the water program management fund and requiring water supply system and wastewater treatment facility operator certification examination fees to not exceed the costs for such exams.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 6, 2024
Representative Minnix opened the hearing on HB2633.
Chris Waggoner, Revisor of Statutes, provided a bill brief (Attachment 1a).
Proponents
Katie Miller, Kansas Municipal Utilities, provided testimony as a proponent (Attachment 1).
Cathy Tucker Vogel, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, provided testimony as a proponent (Attachment 2). Ms. Vogel shared with committee the bill would allow for standardized certification and providing a bigger pool of certified operators from outside the state.
Wendi Stark, League of Municipalities, provided testimony as a proponent (Attachment 3).
Fred Jones, Garden City, Kansas, provided testimony as a proponent (Attachment 4).
Opponents
Doug Mays, Legislative Liaison, Kansas Rural Water, (Attachment 5).
Mr. Mays raised issues about the cost of certification and not putting an upper limit on the cost for certification. He noted that there are two different types of water operations. One that uses surface water and one that uses ground water, they don't require the same skill level. Water treatment for groundwater isn't as technical as surface water.
Chairperson Minnix asked Cathy Tucker Vogel, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, to respond to Mr. Mays concerns. Ms. Vogel discussed the complexities of ground water and the need for a broader base of certified operators to draw from.
Written Proponents
Rodney Eggleston, Public Works, City of Valley Center, (Attachment 6).
Representative Minnix closed the hearing on HB2633.
