Energy (Electric Grid)

SB 266 requires electric utilities to obtain legislative approval before building "high-impact" electric transmission lines (defined as 10+ miles long, carrying 340+ kilovolts of electricity). It directly affects utilities planning such projects and landowners near proposed routes, as utilities must submit detailed proposals to the legislature within 30 days of receiving a commission siting permit. The key mechanism adds a new step: the legislature must adopt a concurrent resolution approving the project, with no automatic approval if they fail to act within a timeframe. This bill changes the process by giving Kansas legislators a formal vote on major transmission line projects, beyond the existing commission review.