Committee directs KDHE to adopt potable reuse rules by 2028, asks for revised fiscal note

House Bill 24-62 would require the Secretary of Health and Environment to adopt rules and regulations by July 1, 2028, allowing direct and indirect potable reuse of treated wastewater. Kyle summarized the bill for the committee and an amendment was discussed that would limit KDHE’s ability to add staff, purchase equipment or enter contracts for preparation or implementation of the rules.

Committee members expressed divergent concerns. Representative Fairchild and others were worried a large fiscal note might prompt opposition and sought to limit or eliminate it; Representative Vaughn and KDHE cautioned that standing up a new reuse program — including stakeholder outreach, rulemaking and technical review — will cost money and likely require personnel. Vaughn recommended tabling to give KDHE time to revise the fiscal note; the motion to table was later withdrawn by the mover with the consent of the second.

Instead, the committee adopted a supplemental direction asking KDHE to revise its fiscal note and provide updated information. Members largely expressed support for potable reuse as a water-conservation tool and pointed to projects in Wichita, Dodge City and Garden City as precedent. Representative Vaughn said the statute gives KDHE time to develop comprehensive rules and that the committee should move the policy forward while KDHE tightens fiscal estimates.

A motion to move HB 24-62 out of committee was made and seconded; the chair called for a hand vote and declared the result unanimous. The committee added a supplemental note asking KDHE to update its fiscal note where appropriate and advanced the bill with a favorable recommendation.

The committee also scheduled upcoming GMD annual reports at the end of the meeting and adjourned.