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Minutes for HB2583 - Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources
Short Title
Relating to the control and eradication of noxious weeds in the state of Kansas.
Minutes Content for Fri, Mar 16, 2018
Chairperson Kerschen opened the hearing on HB2583.
Kyle Hamilton from the Revisor of Statutes Office explained the bill and answered questions from the committee.
Mike Beam testified in support of the bill. He believes that this legislation is needed to update the archaic noxious weed statutes that go back to 1947. His organization has also suggested an amendment to the bill.(Attachment 2)
Shahira Stafford testified on behalf of Randy Stookey. She stated that the bill would make beneficial changes to the Kansas noxious weed law. The current process for designating noxious weeds is cumbersome and time consuming. Her industry supports this bill, along with the amendment(s) suggested by the Kansas Livestock Association, as long as they retain a seat on the advisory board.(Attachment 3)
Mandy Roe testified in support of the bill. She believes that giving the Secretary of Agriculture the ability to designate plants as noxious weeds through rules and regulations will allow for a quick response to damaging noxious weeds. She also supports the amendment(s) suggested by the Kansas Livestock Association.(Attachment 4)
Chad Bontrager testified in support of the bill. He believes that the proposed changes in the Kansas Noxious Weed Law in this bill are important to improving the eradication and control of noxious weeds in Kansas. He also supports the amendment(s) suggested by the Kansas Livestock Association.(Attachment 5)
Written testimony in support of the bill was submitted by Melissa Wangemann with the Kansas Association of Counties.(Attachment 6)
Chairperson Kerschen announced that opponent and neutral testimony on HB2583 would be heard on Monday, closed the hearing for today, and adjourned the meeting.
