Kansas committee hears opposition to bill letting wildlife commissioners submit proposed rules

The Kansas Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee heard opponent testimony on Senate Bill 211, which would allow members of the Wildlife and Parks Commission to submit proposed rules and regulations for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

Opponents—including Justin Cobb of The Nature Conservancy and former Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Commissioner Lauren Still—told the committee that while commissioners should have a voice, SB 211 would weaken the existing process that brings agency scientists’ work and public representation together.

"The commission represents the public," Justin Cobb said, arguing the current law creates a balance between the agency’s scientific staff and the commission’s public perspective. He added the department’s staff biologists are "the closest thing that we can get to on-the-ground facts for our Kansas wildlife." Cobb said the bill risks allowing a majority of commissioners to push through regulations over the agency’s scientific objections:…