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Committee on Water advances bill to publish maps of applied-for diversions
Summary
The Committee on Water voted to pass House Bill 24-77, which would require the Kansas Department of Agriculture to publish maps showing locations of applied-for water diversions and expand individual notice to landowners within a half mile; the bill drew a neutral concern from a Groundwater Management District about stripping notice for water conservation areas.
The Committee on Water voted to pass House Bill 24-77 favorably and send it to the House floor after a voice vote.
Kyle (staff) told the committee the bill would require the Kansas Department of Agriculture to publish a map on its official website showing the location of all applied-for diversions and requested changes greater than 300 feet. The measure would require any resulting orders to be posted, post only the relevant application information (rather than the full applicant address), and expand individual notice to all landowners within a half mile of such applied-for diversions or changes. It would also remove the statutory requirement that the department send that individual notice in conjunction with the applicable Groundwater Management District, allowing the department to send notice on its own.
Heather (fiscal staff) told the committee the Department of Agriculture and the Kansas Water Office indicated enactment "would not have a fiscal effect on operations." Representative Peschney asked about suggestions from neutral testifiers, and Orin Farrell, district manager for Big Bend Groundwater Management District 5, said GMDs generally support transparency but were concerned the bill, as drafted, "strikes any notification to nearby water right owners" for water conservation areas. Farrell recommended the district work with the agency to implement that notification in regulation if the statute moves forward.
Chair called for a voice vote; the motion carried and the bill was ordered to the House floor.
What happens next: HB 24-77 will be scheduled for floor consideration. Committee members and stakeholders signaled they expect to continue technical discussions about notice procedures, particularly for water conservation areas.
