Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Surveying topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee hears bill to extend land survey filing deadline from 30 to 90 days
Summary
A bill that would extend the deadline for land surveyors to file reference and restoration reports from 30 to 90 days drew support from surveyors and the Board of Technical Professions, which told the Kansas Senate Transportation Committee the change reflects current practice and larger project timelines.
Senate Bill 9 would extend from 30 days to 90 days the period for a land surveyor to file a reference report and, where required, a restoration report for public land survey corners and related accessories with the Secretary of State, the Historical Society and the county surveyor or an alternative county office.
The change was presented to the Kansas Senate Transportation Committee by an agency staffer identified as Adam, who said the extension is aimed at allowing surveyors working on large projects — such as long highway improvements or transmission line surveys — more time to collect and file reports. "That 30 day window ... dries up pretty quick," said Bill Havercamp, a Topeka surveyor and director on the Kansas Society of Land Surveyors board, describing multi‑mile projects and mail delays from western Kansas as reasons to broaden the filing window.
The bill also would allow county commissions to designate an alternative county office — for example, a register of deeds office — to receive filings where a county surveyor or county engineer is not available. Brad Parker, incoming executive director of the Board of Technical Professions, said the board supports the change and believes 90 days will let surveyors be "more efficient and effective" on large projects. Parker said the board licenses and regulates the professions affected and that the proposal should not impose substantial burdens on surveyors, clients or the agency.
Committee members asked about monument types and the relevance of modern geolocation. Havercamp explained monuments range from early stones and pits to modern rebar with identification caps and said most corners are now georeferenced but not every surveyor or project has access to the same technology. The committee recorded written testimony but heard no opponents; the hearing was closed with no immediate vote recorded.
The committee did not take a final vote on SB 9 during the hearing. The bill remains at the hearing stage pending further committee action.
