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KDHE requests funding for operator exam rewrite, water remediation and local programs during budget hearing
Summary
KDHE budget staff told the Agriculture and Natural Resources committee that the agency seeks targeted funding to rewrite the certified operator exam ($300,000), stage remediation of the Burton chloride plume near the Equus Beds, and use settlement and federal funds for water projects and contamination remediation. Members pressed KDHE on costs, local partners and program metrics.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment told the Agriculture and Natural Resources committee that it needs targeted funding to update operator certification and to advance water‑quality projects across the state.
Deputy Secretary Kate Gleason and Legislative Research fiscal analyst Luke Drury presented KDHE’s revised budget and enhancement requests, highlighting a $300,000 request to rewrite the certified drinking‑water operator exam, settlement and federal grant spending from the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust Fund and EPA grants, and several State Water Plan Fund enhancements for remediation and local assistance projects.
The budget presentation matters to communities that depend on rural drinking water systems and to cities that would partner on large remediation projects: KDHE said some funds would support operator workforce development, septic and private well assistance and multi‑year contamination remediation at orphan sites.
Drury told the committee the agency’s FY2026 revised request includes a $3,000,000 increase from the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust Fund to bring that FY2026 total to $5,000,000, and an increase of $2,200,000 for the Kansas Water Pollution Control…
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