HB 2424 establishes a new license for pump installation contractors in Kansas and adds requirements for water well contractors. It mandates that contractors document each installation with specific details (location, pump specifications, well data) and submit records within 30 days. The bill also requires water quality analysis from Kansas-certified labs within 60 days after well completion, with reports submitted to the state health department. These provisions aim to improve groundwater data collection and safety standards for well systems.
SB 400 requires large data centers in Kansas (defined as facilities with 20+ megawatts monthly electrical demand) to switch from open-loop cooling systems - which release water vapor into the air - to closed-loop systems that recirculate water without atmospheric discharge. This directly affects major data center operators by mandating a specific cooling technology to reduce on-site water consumption. The bill also authorizes the attorney general or local prosecutors to seek court injunctions against violations, ensuring enforcement through legal remedies. The law takes effect after publication in Kansas statutes.
HB 2585 would create a special "delta waterfowl" license plate for Kansas residents who own or lease eligible passenger vehicles or trucks (under 20,000 pounds gross weight). To obtain the plate, owners must pay an annual fee of $25 to $100 (set by Delta Waterfowl) in addition to standard registration fees. The collected fees would support Delta Waterfowl's conservation work, and the plate is non-transferable, requiring annual renewal with the fee payment.
HB 2441 amends Kansas' income tax code to include compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) as eligible alternative fuels for a tax credit program. This change directly affects Kansas taxpayers who purchase qualified alternative-fueled vehicles (like CNG trucks) or build fueling stations for these fuels, expanding the existing credit to cover CNG/LNG vehicles and infrastructure. The bill updates the legal definition of "alternative fuel" (Section e(1)(B)) to explicitly include CNG and LNG, allowing taxpayers to claim the same credit percentages (40% for post-2005 vehicles) previously available for other alternative fuels like ethanol blends. The credit applies to incremental vehicle costs or fueling station expenditures, with limits based on vehicle weight categories, and follows the existing carryover rules for unused credits.
This bill allows Kansas counties to adopt local resolutions regulating activities like camping, waste disposal, and vehicle use on navigable rivers, specifically to protect public health, safety, and welfare. It also expands the criminal trespass law to include navigable rivers, making unauthorized activities on them subject to trespass penalties. The policy directly affects county governments (which gain new regulatory authority) and river users (who must comply with local rules). The changes amend Kansas law to explicitly grant counties this power, without altering state-level river management.
SB 403 creates two new distinctive license plates in Kansas for "Pheasants Forever" and "Quail Forever," supporting conservation groups. Kansas residents with eligible passenger vehicles or light trucks can apply for these plates by paying an extra $25-$100 fee (determined by the organizations) to their county treasurer, in addition to standard registration costs. The plates are non-transferable and require annual renewal with the same fee. This bill directly affects Kansas vehicle owners who choose to support these wildlife conservation initiatives through their license plate selection.
HB 2554 creates two new distinctive license plates in Kansas: "Pheasants Forever" and "Quail Forever," available to Kansas residents who own eligible passenger vehicles or light trucks (under 20,000 lbs gross weight) starting July 1, 2026. Owners must pay a $25-$100 annual "logo use royalty" fee to Pheasants Forever, Inc., in addition to standard registration fees, to obtain or renew the plates. The plates are non-transferable, require annual renewal with the fee payment, and include data-sharing consent for vehicle information. This bill directly affects Kansas vehicle owners seeking these specialty plates, generating revenue for the nonprofit organization through the license plate program.
HB 2577 requires Kansas state agencies to purchase diesel fuel blends containing at least 20% biodiesel for all state-owned diesel-powered vehicles and equipment. This replaces the current 10% ethanol mandate with a higher biodiesel standard, applying specifically to state agency fuel procurement. The bill limits the cost increase to no more than $0.25 per gallon above regular diesel fuel prices. It directly affects state agencies purchasing diesel fuel, mandating a cleaner fuel standard while controlling cost impacts.
HB 2543 requires Kansas to annually reimburse the Department of Wildlife and Parks for revenue lost when new free or discounted hunting/fishing licenses, permits, or passes are created by law on or after July 1, 2027. The department must track these lost revenues, certify the amount by June 30 each year, and the state must transfer funds from the general budget to the wildlife fee fund. This applies only to licenses established by new legislation after 2027, not existing discounts. The accounting is subject to audit by the state treasurer.
HB 2462 requires Kansas' Secretary of Health and Environment to adopt rules by July 1, 2028, allowing communities to safely reuse treated wastewater as drinking water. It defines "direct" reuse (advanced treatment to produce drinking water directly from treated wastewater) and "indirect" reuse (treated wastewater discharged into natural buffers like rivers before reuse). The rules must meet or exceed federal drinking water standards and apply to public water systems serving at least 25 people daily, including cities and towns managing drinking water infrastructure. This bill directly affects water utilities and communities seeking to expand water sources through reuse.
