[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6332544,"mediaKeyId","2306760-358c079ca8479e6c09348ab9874fee3c","parentId",2306760,"title","House advances bill allowing law enforcement pole attachments with hold‑harmless for utilities amid privacy concerns","audioSeconds",1910,"startMs",2090000,"endMs",4000000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2306760-358c079ca8479e6c09348ab9874fee3c&start=2090&end=4000","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2306760-358c079ca8479e6c09348ab9874fee3c/thumbnail_2090000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6332544/Kansas/House-advances-bill-allowing-law-enforcement-pole-attachments-with-holdharmless-for-utilities-amid-privacy-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332544-86a0a55752f2e529c73e37f888b71f28/orig.mp4?Expires=1771605049&Signature=JI7j2KZfMvv~Lkyjz1c8Aho7BGK7d61qIwA32YVncjA1vy-ekEIAN8ZFEdOWbYavL~XLQsUUN2TiPRlECXI1chlL1z1hrw5sWbgcl7F5~xP2fjg1pBFIIymRKPKop4cTu-G-FCqBZl8ajIxGvBhOLLuWmZqitWv1GC8SCFhW9~9kMLNkau~kIdGHzKyZxu1WYwzULIoyCpoYU9ujaOM3Nz9X2KWXzsopGyiFnD689rib5ZhjuDvPqBqsJ43AIhKthxop3vo~6UTud~Lu2YewExdccT1uWg2pWhkddqH~awy7kbIwWPesHmKlqfh0LULv5Wly58O0JuoieoYUGlibSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kansas Legislature","date","2025-02-13T00:00:00Z","article","House Bill 2,109 — a measure authorizing law enforcement agencies to attach and operate equipment on utility poles and public rights-of-way under pole-attachment agreements and providing hold-harmless protections to public utilities — was reported favorably by the Committee of the Whole after prolonged floor debate and a roll-call on the motion to report.

The bill requires written agreements between law enforcement agencies and public utilities specifying the poles involved, the nature of the law enforcement equipment, safety and security specifications, and that law enforcement agencies indemnify utilities for liabilities arising from the attachments. Sponsors said the provision codifies a practice that has been in place for years and would allow utilities to charge reasonable administrative fees to recover costs (but not charge for space used). The bill also designates public utilities as instrumentalities of government under the Kansas Tort Claims Act to provide certain liability protections.

Supporters, including the Kansas Sheriffs Association and several police organizations, said the arrangements help public safety. Representative Wilborn, the carrier, said: \"Make no mistake about it. This is a whole harmless bill for the utilities when entering the pole attachment agreements with law enforcement agencies upon request.\" He and others said the measure is intended to keep utilities from being drawn into litigation for law enforcement actions.

Opponents and skeptics raised privacy and oversight concerns. Representative Carmichael and others described the potential for surveillance creep and the need to secure sensitive data; Representative Carr urged colleagues to oppose the bill, saying it would disproportionately affect underserved communities and remove civil-liability recourse for residents. Carr said, \"I would urge the body, to vote along with me against this, against this house bill 21 0 9.\" Representative Schreiber, citing utility reliability concerns, supported the bill on grounds it provides certainty about placement and maintenance and can protect grid reliability.

The committee record included proponents such as the Kansas Sheriffs Association, chiefs’ groups, the state fire marshal and the Wichita Police Department; neutral testimony came from the Kansas Department of Transportation and the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board, which noted potential administrative costs. Sponsors said an estimated administrative fiscal note for some entities could be about $3,000.

On a roll call opened after a challenged voice vote, the chair recorded 77 yeas and 44 nays; the chair declared the motion carried and the Committee of the Whole recommendation adopted. The committee report was later adopted by the House.

Discussion vs. decision: The debate on HB 2,109 included operational and liability clarifications, privacy and data-security concerns, and reliability considerations. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report favorably; the bill moves forward under the House calendar for subsequent steps.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Chamber Proceedings 02/13/2025","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 2,109, which authorizes law-enforcement attachments to utility poles under written agreements and provides hold-harmless protections to utilities, was reported favorably after extended floor debate and a roll-call vote of 77–44.","taxTitle","HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Kansas","taxId",15102,"location","Kansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6332549,"House amends measure authorizing sale of two K‑State properties, adds appraisal requirement",380,1686000,2066000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2306760-358c079ca8479e6c09348ab9874fee3c&start=1686&end=2066","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2306760-358c079ca8479e6c09348ab9874fee3c/thumbnail_1686000.jpg","/articles/6332549/Kansas/House-amends-measure-authorizing-sale-of-two-KState-properties-adds-appraisal-requirement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332549-d695fb5ed53611a71d2fd2fc0acbca59/orig.mp4?Expires=1771605049&Signature=FeVMp6L~H6yk~-AfAV5~FjzXkbCTZhzjxx9gPZQjWJSkE8ML1vlQy0sz~0xy6iGaZK8ajFLmchA-XN6tVXt6TK89o~mxOly8oQaRBrDUmaMeQ3~MwW1id0FWc99GNAIuj9C7HEyGmlPsAWBAIB6oHNjSTBVCjuBl5NKH3L9JlK4GDk0XITn~zhyYHuH2g9cOwoWt6qNteaVV17RdM4-ePj4I8nNuUj6RqZu9sp6XMhPVW6-BeRcT7Hj3vtqK56FL3rxQvmnu3jWwvWj87WVvVgI5jV5Lumw1DugET05EZl8mHJ6fE2Tov6pJOlIrjRS6e80SHwjEErulNWnmM08q6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 2,120, a legislative proposal concerning the sale of two parcels of property associated with Kansas State University, was amended on the floor to ensure the sales remain subject to state appraisal requirements.

Representative Howe, carrying the bill, said one parcel is in Riley County, Kansas, and another was located in Douglas County, Nebraska, and described prior uses including a veterinary medicine satellite clinic and former administrative offices. The sponsor told the body he had missed committee language exempting the sales from the state statute requiring three appraisals; he offered a short amendment to strike the exemption so the university would be subject to the appraisal requirement for property valued over $200,000 as determined by county assessment value.

Representative Howe said the Riley County sale was estimated to return about $3,500,000 to K‑State for deferred maintenance; the Omaha/VetMed satellite property was estimated at about $1,100,000 to support renovations and repairs. The amendment was adopted by voice vote, the committee report was adopted and the Committee of the Whole reported the bill favorably as amended.

Outlook: With the amendment restoring the three-appraisal requirement for properties over $200,000, the bill was reported favorably and awaits normal floor action; sponsors said proceeds would be used for deferred maintenance and facility renovations at K‑State.","House members amended HB 2,120 to remove an exemption that would have allowed sales of two properties used by Kansas State University to proceed without the statute requiring three appraisals for properties above $200,000; sponsors said sales could raise about $3.5 million and $1.1 million respectively.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6332554,"House extends review window for high-voltage siting applications from 120 to 180 days",504,1149000,1653000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2306760-358c079ca8479e6c09348ab9874fee3c&start=1149&end=1653","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2306760-358c079ca8479e6c09348ab9874fee3c/thumbnail_1149000.jpg","/articles/6332554/Kansas/House-extends-review-window-for-high-voltage-siting-applications-from-120-to-180-days","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332554-d1ffc3e4a876530f01cf59e4e8fc6b56/orig.mp4?Expires=1771605049&Signature=eRDClZBgtZEQt6bQq4tRAR0rS-CfGdizUuoU~lDGJR2WCL2NelBLPQaxxxyhN8VyGRnVR2kb3j8ioIDW886bECNRO4xXNQe3S3A~byAzMV2-~uVBogL9LJTE8phUj60HLGvK5t7o8J8n8QNpZxIibyoi-VSXpPXz7ygEk~~N5VQ4LDMEXu8azWh6tnx7FWqn1gLFgyjtYS76ZwdRnOjm9EJMu0385fpd9WfCLgozKFrcGLruwPne52Vp-hn4VOQw1ypYD0Nkt8X0JUGTdLuHaNdRmiC5U5YSwXq3O6lEyTR-I0P2v7DD0J-SpPtppLEjNjDPasXm5FBc3efZ3nPRWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 2,040 was carried and reported favorably after sponsors said it would extend the Kansas Corporation Commission’s (KCC) statutory deadline for issuing a final order in high-voltage transmission-line siting applications from 120 days to 180 days.

The sponsor told the committee the longer period would give staff and applicants additional time to work with stakeholders including landowners and farmers. Proponent testimony included the deputy director of the KCC’s utilities division and written testimony from the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board (CURB), the Kansas Farm Bureau and the Kansas Livestock Association. Representatives of Evergy offered neutral testimony that an extended timeline could hinder project timing and increase cost.

The committee heard no formal opponents. Representative Ohavisham and others spoke in support on the floor. A motion to report HB 2,040 favorably for passage carried in committee and the Committee of the Whole recommendation was adopted by the House.

The change would increase the statutory review period for the KCC in siting proceedings; proponents said the extra 60 days is intended for stakeholder coordination and does not, in committee testimony, change the standards the commission must apply.

Outlook: With the committee report adopted, HB 2,040 moves forward on the House calendar for subsequent floor action.","HB 2,040, advanced by the Committee of the Whole, would extend the Kansas Corporation Commission's deadline to issue final orders on high-voltage transmission-line siting applications from 120 days to 180 days to allow additional engagement with landowners and other stakeholders.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6332559,"House advances bill aligning Kansas travel-insurance filing lines with NAIC model",289,859000,1148000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2306760-358c079ca8479e6c09348ab9874fee3c&start=859&end=1148","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2306760-358c079ca8479e6c09348ab9874fee3c/thumbnail_859000.jpg","/articles/6332559/Kansas/House-advances-bill-aligning-Kansas-travel-insurance-filing-lines-with-NAIC-model","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332559-2f57b5e92cdb1da50c3fbdc308b528a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771605049&Signature=jRMN1cvLUuHT7fZfOnpxa9vLMcqe2-pWXST1YSsdXHFOfHAtSQmcxZjdBhGLb3IwAXWYmXIjy96x3Y02j88vU0LTNMLO5bmuJz31I4qWw4tTjlukhUNEH1OSELOhrygm0uWlVnj3n35Tm5u1v19DA61vQDBrV-puha46pI8NqRkBq6y2i5Dy~mWY7dQIznna0BfPmFE0eqTDls1GvLWs3XujHXeKnmENIDewZGx5Dz~ywmNj8jQaEBdWuXWVaUZspi5kbsrU9gY67-NScXoRZOEAXrknBTdoFjCGAQ3Dms~9Lf5t4DrD7pNP7zoyhyCW~VEYm0M-kSlfwvX0gGTUYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 2,046, carried by Representative Penn, was reported favorably and advanced by the Committee of the Whole after proponents told lawmakers it resolves filing confusion for travel insurance policies.

The measure amends state insurance filing rules (statutory citation discussed in committee as 40-2-239) to add the accident and health line of insurance to the inland marine line under which certain travel insurance policies may be filed. Sponsors said the change aligns Kansas law with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) Travel Insurance Model Act, adopted by the NAIC in December 2018, and noted that 36 states had adopted versions of the model as of the previous May.

Representative Penn said the American Council of Life Insurers requested the bill; no opponents or neutral witnesses testified in committee. Representative Neighbor said the measure covers coverages including emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains, and urged support.

There was no fiscal note in committee. The Committee of the Whole adopted the committee report recommending the bill be passed; the committee report was later adopted by the House.

Outlook: The bill moves forward to subsequent House action; sponsors said the change clarifies rate and premium tax treatment and brings Kansas into alignment with the NAIC model law.","House committee reported HB 2,046 favorably to clarify which insurance lines can be used to file travel insurance policies, adding the accident and health line to the existing inland marine line in statute, sponsors said.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6332564,"House panel broadens 'critical infrastructure' definition to include telecommunications gear",497,447000,944000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2306760-358c079ca8479e6c09348ab9874fee3c&start=447&end=944","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2306760-358c079ca8479e6c09348ab9874fee3c/thumbnail_447000.jpg","/articles/6332564/Kansas/House-panel-broadens-critical-infrastructure-definition-to-include-telecommunications-gear","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332564-aa58eaf915e7d230f8e397fcb5b1202d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771605049&Signature=L--mj2fNHGTNjIj3vVXkAJsXu9gpdx9Ofs4JnERDq-ayV6AmIgNZ1R27e6G~gc2dGa7E~VYCzwoPWF9YPIXekWC9FTRYmvRAGn6R4Xh41EvDMhMmD0tDFNP~o584EsJYkAcCj5XIkKeu7WcC4RNsVFtHzPOadu5c8UrnKxSKJ2bMA~6ujIDcIK6zl-fkAniPFNBMLPOga9ZXjFasuvhOyuRFJgDfDm7jxcb5frrDgCps1ZOT6xXTEmmq7jxYYelFuHsyTMSRCQf2YtyL0YTVXAVGcEg8GBqJoWv352OdnJGxr3Aq62CzD2TiSXvhhJys21PLI0MFZSM1-Fwd4vGsyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 2,061 advanced out of the Committee of the Whole on a motion to adopt the committee report and was reported favorably for passage. The bill revises the definition of ‘‘critical infrastructure facility’’ in statutes governing trespass and criminal damage to make explicit that telecommunication and video services infrastructure are included.

Sponsors and proponents told lawmakers the change is intended to make clear that lines, antennas, radio transceivers, towers, support structures, equipment buildings and other related equipment used for wireline, broadband or wireless services are covered whether located inside or outside public rights-of-way. The committee adopted an amendment listing above- and below-ground lines, antennas, towers and other supporting equipment.

The carrier of the measure explained the amendment and noted that Charter Communications and AT&T offered proponent testimony in committee; no opponents testified. The sponsor said the change is not expected to have a fiscal impact on the state budget.

During floor discussion, Representative Osman said she had support for the bill after caucus discussion and encouraged members to ‘‘vote your district.’’ Representative Penn questioned the carrier about the sponsor's military service, and the carrier confirmed deployments and service details on the record.

On a voice vote in the Committee of the Whole, members adopted the committee report and moved HB 2,061 forward. The Committee of the Whole recommendation to pass the bill was subsequently adopted when the committee report was accepted by the House.

The bill's text narrows and specifies the statutory definition of critical infrastructure facilities for the crimes of trespass and criminal damage; it does not, in committee testimony, change penalties or enforcement procedures.

Outlook: With the committee report adopted and the Committee of the Whole recommendation accepted, HB 2,061 was placed on the House calendar for further action consistent with the body's procedures.

","The Kansas House Committee of the Whole advanced HB 2061 to the full House after committee amendments expanded the legal definition of ‘‘critical infrastructure facility’’ to explicitly include wireline, broadband and wireless telecommunications and related structures, sponsors said.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House advances bill allowing law enforcement pole attachments with hold‑harmless for utilities amid privacy concerns

House amends measure authorizing sale of two K‑State properties, adds appraisal requirement

House extends review window for high-voltage siting applications from 120 to 180 days

House advances bill aligning Kansas travel-insurance filing lines with NAIC model

House panel broadens 'critical infrastructure' definition to include telecommunications gear