Kansas House approves conference report limiting some nonresident waterfowl hunting days, restores lifetime licenses for seniors and youth

The Kansas House on April 9 approved the conference committee report on House Bill 2028, adopting a set of changes that restore senior lifetime hunting licenses and add new youth lifetime license categories while imposing a three‑day‑per‑week restriction on nonresident public waterfowl hunting on certain public areas for a trial period.

Representative Kessler, the bill’s carrier, said the statute had accidentally let a lifetime senior license lapse and that the conference report restores those licenses and creates youth lifetime options: a birth‑to‑5 lifetime at $300 and a 6‑to‑15 lifetime at $400. Supporters emphasized protecting resident hunting opportunities on heavily used public waters such as Cheyenne Bottoms.

"Senior licenses in this bill, Wildlife and Parks had a five‑year sunset on it…So we've been selling licenses to folks. They can't get a senior license. If this bill goes down, we won't be able to sell senior licenses for another year," Representative Will Carpenter said in support.

The package also includes a provision limiting nonresident hunters on some public waterfowl areas to Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, while exempting walk‑in areas, navigable rivers and private leases. The restriction carries a three‑year sunset and requires the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to produce economic impact studies in January following the season and again in 2027.

Opponents warned the restriction would harm local economies that rely on out‑of‑state hunters for lodging and other spending. Representative Elwig and Representative Featherston urged the House to send the base provisions back for a clean vote without the Senate’s amendment restricting nonresidents, calling the statewide restriction disproportionate to local problems.

"This is taking a local problem and trying to apply a statewide solution," Representative Elwig said, noting the economic reliance of some Southeast Kansas counties on out‑of‑state hunters.

Supporters countered that many states have imposed similar limits or fees to manage crowding and protect resident access, and that the conference report includes a study and a three‑year sunset so the Legislature can reassess. The House recorded 65 votes in favor and 59 opposed; the bill was declared passed.

The provisions affecting licensing and the temporary restriction on nonresident hunting will be subject to the mandated studies and the three‑year sunset provision described in the conference report.