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Minutes for HB2686 - Committee on Water
Short Title
Creating the Kansas department of water and environment within the executive branch and transferring the duties of certain offices to such department, establishing the water and environment maintenance fund and the water and environment maintenance board, modifying election procedures for groundwater management districts, establishing a water rights fee on owners of water rights and permits to appropriate water for beneficial use, authorizing the chief engineer to issue certain orders without review by the secretary of water and environment, increasing water protection fees, establishing a civil penalty for obstructions in streams violations and establishing the water structures emergency fund.
Minutes Content for Mon, Feb 14, 2022
Chairperson Orr substituting for Chairperson Highland, (Representative Highland participated by remote) recognized Chris Waggoner, Revisor of Statues, for a bill brief of HB2686 (Attachment 1) .
Chairperson Orr opened the briefing for questions. Victoria Potts, Legislative Research, responded to questions regarding, proposed organizational chart, physical location of staffing, and impact on headcount. Chris Waggoner, Revisor of Statues, responded to questions regarding reporting relationships, logistical challenges to restructuring, organizational effectiveness, fee collection, authority of new water agency, and who qualifies for ground water management positions.
Acting Chairperson Orr adjourned the meeting at 10:00 am.
