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Minutes for HB2113 - Committee on Water
Short Title
Transferring $5,000,000 each July 1 to match federal funding for soil conservation districts, providing for the enhanced transfer of moneys from the state general fund to the state water plan fund and sunsetting such enhancements and the water technical assistance fund and the water project grant fund on July 1, 2028.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 11, 2025
Chairperson Minnix opened the hearing on HB2113
Kyle Hamilton, Revisor of Statutes, provided a bill brief HB2113 (Attachment 1) .
Heather O'Hara, Research, provided a review of fiscal note.
Proponents
Oral
Sean Miller replaced Dan Meyerhoff, Kansas Association of Conservation Districts, (Attachment 2), Sean provided an overview of how the fund will be spent. He responded to questions from the committee regarding how the bill would help with hiring and maintaining staff.
Aaron Popelka, Kansas Livestock Association,(Attachment 3).
Josh Svaty, Kansas Municipal Utilities, (Attachment 4), Mr. Svaty discussed the importance of maintaining small public water systems and their water processing facilities. Mr. Svaty responded to questions from committee regarding the importance of a statewide blue ribbon task force on water.
Wendi Stark, Kansas League of Municipalities, (Attachment 5). Ms. Stark explained the importance funding projects for small community water systems. She read off a list of communities who have requested funds to improve their water system. She explained current funding was able to provide support for only 20 percent of total communities making request. Wendy responded to questions regarding how many small communities made request and how many request were awarded. Wendy referred inquiries to Kansas Water Office website.
The Chairperson requested Connie Owen, Kansas Water Office, come to the podium to to address questions regarding grant funding for small communities. Connie shared information on how projects were determined with the limited amount of funds. She shared that in 2024 community request exceed 318 million with only 18 million available for grants.
Daryn Martin, Kansas Rural Water, (Attachment 6) provided a background on the Kansas Rural Water district and how funding programs impact small communities water operators used. He shared some examples of how state funding has helped with wastewater systems in small communities.
Proponents written only
Randy Stookey, Kansas Grain and Feed Association, Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association, and Renew Kansas Biofuels Association, (Attachment 7).
Hardy Howard, City of WaKenney, (Attachment 8).
Shahira Stafford, Kansas Cooperative Council, Attachment 9).
Dan Merkh, City of Edgerton,(Attachment 10).
Kent Askren, Kansas Farm Bureau, (Attachment 11).
Kate Gleason, Joint Testimony, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Department of Agriculture, and Kansas Water Office, (Attachment 12).
Chairperson Minnix closed the hearing for HB2113.
Chairperson Minnix adjourned the meeting at 10:03 am
