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Kansas Wildlife and Parks presents budget pressures, seeks fee increases and more law enforcement staff
Summary
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks officials told the Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee the agency faces rising park utility and maintenance costs, seeks modest fee increases and requested $300,000 SGF for law enforcement equipment plus authority for 8 additional LEO positions as part of a proposed restructure.
Secretary Kennedy and Legislative Research presented the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks budget to the Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee, outlining operating pressures, capital needs and staffing shortages.
Luke Drury, Senior Fiscal Analyst, described FY2026 and FY2027 projections and notable capital items. He said the agency's approved FY2026 budget included roughly $128 million in all funds and highlighted $3 million previously counted toward federal match on the Flint Hills Trail, $2 million for dam repairs, and $200,000 to replace a shower house at El Dorado State Park. Drury also noted an increase in capital improvement spending (+$7.2 million) largely attributable to federal disaster grants and said some federal grants awarded late to the department shifted expenditures into FY2026.
Secretary Kennedy framed the agency's priorities: conserving fish and wildlife while connecting Kansans to outdoor recreation. He cited visitation and economic impact figures: the department operates 29 state parks welcoming nearly 7 million visits annually and generates roughly $150 million in economic activity through operations. Kennedy described an asset and infrastructure review that has identified more than $1 billion in agency infrastructure and argued for focused capital investment and improved fiscal processes.
On staffing, Kennedy emphasized law enforcement needs and pay parity concerns. He told the committee the agency has 61 field game wardens statewide and is understaffed; he asked lawmakers to support the governor's recommendation of $300,000 one-time SGF for equipment and increased spending authority to add eight law enforcement FTEs to facilitate a restructure intended to improve training, safety and standardization.
Committee members pressed on camping fee increases, public hunting access and deer management. Kennedy said fee increase specifics would be provided later, and confirmed that huntable public land comprises roughly 1.7% of Kansas, which he said ranks last in the nation. He explained the department manages deer in geographically distinct units and said the agency will supply data, including harvest and tag-usage figures, to members who requested them.
Members asked technical and operational questions about procurement and the chart of accounts; Barbara Albright, the department's chief fiscal officer, explained that the chart of accounts lists funds and budget units and that an inventory and infrastructure review are underway. The department committed to circulate presentation materials and follow-up answers to written questions.
What happens next: staff will provide requested fee and staffing data, Drury will circulate a table of governor recommendations, and the committee scheduled additional hearings later in the week to review related water and health-environment budgets.
