Agriculture committee opens brief meeting, schedules hearings on pesticide and lithium-battery measures

The Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources convened for a short organizational meeting in which members introduced themselves and Chair Ken Rogers announced the committee will hold hearings on two bills: a pesticide measure and legislation related to lithium batteries.

"We are planning on doing 2 bills. Hearings on 2 bills. There's a pesticide bill and then the lithium battery ones," Chair Ken Rogers said, outlining the committee's immediate priorities. He asked members to bring laptops to follow the paperless proceedings and to notify him in advance if they intend to offer amendments.

Dr. Dwayne Droge, a representative for House District 13, opened member introductions, listing the communities in his district and noting his background as a way to introduce himself to colleagues. Several members then gave brief introductions and light icebreaker remarks about Kansas food products.

Committee staff also introduced themselves. Dana Roody identified herself as the committee assistant; Kyle Hamilton said he works with the Reviser's Office; and Heather O'Hara identified herself as a Legislative Research staff member. Broadcasting representative Reid Plinske also introduced himself to the committee.

Keen to move items forward, the chair reviewed scheduling: the committee will not meet Monday or Tuesday next week, plans to meet Wednesday and Thursday with hearings on Thursday, and intends to work bills the following Monday ("I believe that's the 26th," he said). No bill numbers, sponsors, or formal votes were recorded during the session.

The meeting concluded when the chair, hearing no further business, adjourned the committee.