Committee advances house substitute on dam and water‑obstruction permitting

The Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources voted to report House Sub for 21‑14 favorably after adopting an amendment that refines inspection and certification language for water‑structures oversight.

Kyle Hamilton summarized HB 21‑14 for the committee: the bill revises definitions distinguishing dams from other water obstructions, increases application and preconstruction permit fees for constructing, modifying or adding to dams and water obstructions, requires preconstruction permit fees for projects that change a stream’s course or cross section, and mandates that licensed professional engineers who conduct required inspections be approved by the chief engineer. The bill also adds a civil penalty of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per violation, with penalty revenues remitted to the water structures fund.

Representative Minnicks offered an amendment (explained by Hamilton) to clarify inspection eligibility: the amendment specifies that an intern engineer who is certified under KSA 74‑70‑21b and is under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer may perform inspections if supervised. Representative Maddox closed on the amendment; it was seconded and adopted by voice vote. The committee then moved to adopt the house substitute (clean version incorporating balloon amendments) and voted the house substitute favorably for passage by voice vote.

Representative Fairchild raised concerns about the increase in fees (from previous $200 to proposed ranges as high as $1,500–$5,000 for new construction and $1,000–$3,000 for modifications) citing feedback from a watershed member in Rush County who feared the higher fees. The chair noted members may pursue floor amendments on fee structure if desired.

The House Sub for 21‑14 was carried out of committee favorably; members did not record a roll‑call vote in committee transcript but approved by voice.