House Status:
Senate Status:
Senate Status:
Minutes for SB405 - Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources
Short Title
Clarifying animal conversion units for poultry facilities with dry manure systems.
Minutes Content for Mon, Feb 12, 2018
Chairperson Kerschen opened the hearing on SB405.
Tamera Lawrence of the Revisor of Statutes Office explained the bill.
Secretary Jackie McClaskey testified in support of the bill. She believes that for Kansas to be competitive with other states in our region as a stronghold for growth of the poultry industry, we need to be competitive. To do this we need statutes that apply to modern poultry production while ensuring we have the proper authority to protect our natural resources. (Attachment 1)
Dr. Peter Tomlinson testified in support of the bill. He told the committee that recent interest expressed by the poultry industry to expand broiler chicken production in Kansas has highlighted that current animal unit designations for poultry do not accurately reflect current production practices. He referred the committee to a handout on broiler chicken growth. (Attachment 2)
Dr. Scott Beyer spoke in support of the bill. According to Dr. Beyer, university research, anecdotal data, and personal experience indicate that poultry farms, when well managed, are unlikely to be as disruptive as some claim them to be. He believes that the proposed setback of 1320 feet between a broiler house and an occupied dwelling is more than adequate to permit broiler production within the norms expected of noise, dust, and odor mitigation. (Attachment 3)
Ashley Hutchinson testified in support of the bill. She believes that the passage of this bill will create the opportunity for economic development in her region of the state. Her community found a suitable site for processing and growing, discovered that there were a number of people committed to the idea, and have educated themselves and their citizens about poultry growing.(Attachment 4)
Trisha Purdon spoke in support of the bill. She believes that bringing the poultry industry to Kansas will help diversify the economy for Montgomery County. In the past few years Montgomery County has gone through difficult times with significant job losses as well as poor health indicators, high poverty rates, and substance abuse issues. Establishing the poultry industry in the area will bring in much needed jobs that will in turn help the economy of the area.(Attachment 5)
Rich Felts testified in support of the bill. Kansas Farm Bureau is always looking for opportunities for growth in the agricultural sector in Kansas. Since the modern poultry facilities being discussed do not fit the conversions in the current statute, a modern , science based animal unit conversion factor for dry manure systems needs to be added to Kansas law.(Attachment 6)
Aaron Popelka testified in support of the bill. He believes that the bill falls within the context of science-based, uniform environmental laws. The current statute does not contain a standard for dry litter poultry barns that are the industry standard for modern poultry production. If poultry production is in Kansas' future, a standard must be added. (Attachment 7)
Written testimony in support of the bill was submitted by:
Greg Krissek- Corn Growers Association(Attachment 8)
Craig Correll- Superintendent Coffeyville Public Schools(Attachment 9)
Vance Keaton- Senior Loan Officer, Live Oak Bank(Attachment 10)
Kendal Francis-City Manager, Coffeyville, KS(Attachment 11)
Heather Morgan-Executive Director, Project 17(Attachment 12)
Kansas Department of Health and Environment(Attachment 13)
It was announced that opponents of SB405 would testify at the next meeting and the committee would be able to ask questions of the proponents at that time as well. Chairperson Kerschen adjourned the meeting.
