Requiring the board of county commissioners or the city governing body to refer the proposed creation of a conservation easement to the appropriate planning commission for review and recommendation; providing the board of county commissioners or the city shall approve or deny the creation of conservation easements.

HB 2363 requires local governments to involve planning commissions before approving conservation easements. Landowners proposing easements must have their plans reviewed by the city or county planning commission (within 60 days) for consistency with local land-use plans, before the governing body (county commissioners or city council) makes a final approval or denial decision. The bill specifies that approvals can be denied only if an easement conflicts with the local comprehensive plan, conservation programs, or known government land-use proposals. This applies directly to landowners seeking conservation easements and local planning commissions and governing bodies in Kansas.