The State Finance Council unanimously approved releasing $425,000 authorized by the legislature to fund enhancements to the Kansas Environmental Information Management System (KEAMS), KDHE Deputy Director Kate Gleeson told the council.

Gleeson said the appropriation in "Senate Bill 1 25" authorized $425,000 for KEAMS improvements. "These would fund improvements to KEAMS," she said, identifying two primary uses: integrating KEAMS into Perceptive Content (the department's long-term document storage system) and improving KEAMS' interface with EPA's ECHO database. The funds will be managed through KDHE's Bureau of Waste Management and are intended to benefit multiple KDHE programs, including storage tanks.

Gleeson described KEAMS as the Kansas Environmental Information Management System, developed by Windsor System Solutions, that the department rolled out for different programs beginning in late 2020 (above-ground storage tanks) and 2021 (underground tanks). KDHE staff are triaging software "bugs" ranging from cosmetic issues to larger usability fixes, and have convened a storage-tank working group with industry representatives, KDHE IT staff and regulated-community members, including FuelTrue, to prioritize fixes and communications.

Speaker Hawkins moved approval of the resolution and the council voted unanimously on roll call. Gleeson said KDHE will continue triaging bugs and working with stakeholders to improve usability and external communication.