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Panel approves bill to allow mail‑ballot elections for large irrigation districts
Summary
Committee approved Senate Bill 65 as amended to allow boards of irrigation districts covering more than 35,000 acres to conduct directors’ elections by mail ballot, aligning procedures with existing mail‑ballot statutes and adding county election‑officer requirements.
The Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs approved Senate Bill 65 as amended to let irrigation districts of more than 35,000 acres conduct board elections by mail ballot in conformity with Kansas' existing mail‑ballot election statutes.
Jason explained the bill carried over from last session would authorize the irrigation district board to conduct elections by mail ballot and the balloon amendment distributed in committee makes the necessary changes to conform those elections to standard mail‑ballot procedures. He said the amendment also adds responsibilities for county election officers so the special district elections align with current practice.
Committee members referenced proponent testimony from the Bostwick Irrigation District and neutral testimony provided previously by the secretary of state's office. Senator Dietrich moved the amendment and later moved that the committee pass SB 65 as amended; Senator Gossage seconded. By voice vote the committee approved the bill and passed it out of committee.
The chairman noted the bill carries over from last session and that the committee had previously wrestled with timing and conforming the election date to the March election cycle; the balloon amendment addresses those issues.
SB 65 passed out of committee and will proceed to further floor consideration.
