Approved: March 21, 2017
MINUTES OF THE HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Kent Thompson at 3:30 pm on Monday, March 13, 2017, in room 582-N of the Capitol.
All members were present except: Representative Kyle Hoffman – Excused Representative Don Schroeder – Excused Representative Joe Seiwert – Excused Representative John Wilson – Excused
Committee staff present: Heather O'Hara, Legislative Research Department James Fisher, Legislative Research Department John Willey, Kansas Legislative Committee Assistant Kyle Hamilton, Office of Revisor of Statutes
Conferees appearing before the Committee: Susan Metzger, Assistant Secretary, Kansas Department of Agriculture Aaron M. Popelka, Vice President of Legal & Governmental Affairs, Kansas Livestock Association Kent Askren, Director of Public Policy, Kansas Farm Bureau
Others in attendance: See Attached List
Hearing on: SB46 — Water conservation area findings, notice and management plans. Vice-Chair Thompson opened the hearing on SB46 at 3:38pm.
Kyle Hamilton, Assistant Revisor, Office of The Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of SB46 and the statutes that it affects. (Attachment 1)
Susan Metzger, Assistant Secretary, Kansas Department of Agriculture, appeared before the Committee in support of SB46. She explained the purpose and benefits of Water Conservation Areas (WCA), current law, and the amendments made by the Senate. (Attachment 2)
Aaron M. Popelka, Vice President of Legal & Governmental Affairs, Kansas Livestock Association, appeared before the Committee in support of SB46. This bill will provide livestock facilities more flexibility is the use of their existing water rights under a WCA, while also advancing the goal of groundwater conservation. It also adds requirements for corrective controls for the efficient use of water for livestock watering and forage irrigation. (Attachment 3)
Kent Askren, Director of Public Policy, Kansas Farm Bureau, appeared before the Committee in
Unless specifically noted, the individual remarks recorded herein have not been transcribed verbatim. Individual remarks as reported herein have not been submitted to the individuals appearing before the committee for editing or corrections. Page 1 CONTINUATION SHEET MINUTES of the Committee on Agriculture at 3:30 pm on Monday, March 13, 2017, in room 582-N of the Capitol. support of SB46. This bill provides greater flexibility to existing water rights, while achieving the use of less water and remaining within state water law. It provides notification to nearby well owners of a proposed WPA so potential impacts can be aired to the Chief Engineer prior to implementation. (Attachment 4)
Written testimony in support of SB46 was received from
• John Donley Kansas Corn Growers Association (Attachment 5)
• Tracy Streeter, Director, Kansas Water Office (Attachment 6)
There were no opponents/neutrals of SB46.
The hearing on SB46 was closed at 3:46pm.
Vice-Chair Thompson adjourned the meeting at 3:47pm.
Unless specifically noted, the individual remarks recorded herein have not been transcribed verbatim. Individual remarks as reported herein have not been submitted to the individuals appearing before the committee for editing or corrections. Page 2