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Minutes for HB2113 - Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources
Short Title
Transferring $5,000,000 each July 1 to match federal funding for 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 Mon, Mar 10, 2025
Tamera Lawrence, Revisor, gave an overview of HB2113.(Attachment 1)
Ms. Lawrence stood for questions.
Representative Jim Minnix spoke in support of the bill. (Attachment 2) (Attachment 3) Progress is being made addressing our water resources and there is much left to do. This bill builds on the work of the (2023) HB2302 as well as additional funding for reservoirs and local infrastructure provided through the budget process over the past 3 years.
Representative Minnix stood for questions.
Aaron Popelka, V.P. of Legal and Governmental Affairs, Kansas Livestock Association spoke in support of the bill. (Attachment 4) The bill builds on the historic funding for the state water plan provided by HB2302 during 2023 legislative season. Since the legislature provided this additional funding to the state water plan, state agencies and stakeholders identified further water conservation needs.
Mr. Popelka stood for questions.
Wendi Stark, Legislative Liaison, The League of Kansas Municipalities, spoke in support of the bill. (Attachment 5) This bill would increase funding in the water technical assistance fund from $5 million to $7 million per year. The technical assistance fund provides grants to municipalities for engineering, grant applications and management, and other technical assistance. Would increase funding in the water projects grant fund from $12 million to $18 million per year.
Ms. Stark stood for questions.
Josh Svaty, Legislative Liaison, Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU), spoke in support of the bill. (Attachment 6) KMU supports the development of the conservation fund outlined in this bill, as well as the statutory increase in funds to programs already outlined in HB2302.
Mr. Svaty stood for questions.
Sean Miller Kansas Association of Conservation Districts (KACD), spoke in support of the bill. (Attachment 7) KACD represents the 105 conservation districts in Kansas. HB2113 will provide the opportunity to provide a match of state moneys on the basis of $2 of state funds to $1 of non-state funds. This enhanced match rate, with a cap to limit total state expenditures will help lead to a more stable district workforce with the experience to effectively deliver programs to Kansans at the local level.
Mr. Miller stood for questions.
Written Only testimony in support of the bill:
Kent Askren, Public Policy Director for Kansas Farm Bureau (Attachment 8)
Randy Stookey Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Renew Kansas, KFGA, KARA (Attachment 9)
Travis Lowe, Kansas Society of Professional Engineers (Attachment 10)
Ellen Parker, Associate Attorney, WaterOne (Water District No. 1) (Attachment 11)
Elmer Ronnebaum, General Manager, Kansas Rural Water Association (Attachment 12)
Shahira Stafford, Kansas Cooperative Council (Attachment 13)
