Bill > SB58

This bill modifies the requirements and allocations for multi-year flex accounts in Kansas water management. The bill authorizes the chief engineer to establish multi-year flex accounts that allow water rights holders to deposit and use water flexibly over up to five consecutive calendar years, subject to several important conditions. These conditions include that the base water right must be vested or have a certificate of appropriation, not be subject to other water management orders, and not be deemed abandoned. The bill limits the amount of water that can be deposited in a flex account to 500% of the base average usage or net irrigation requirement, and ensures that the flexibility does not impair existing water rights or increase the total amount of water diverted. The legislation requires separate applications for each point of diversion, maintains the original point of diversion and place of use, and mandates that the chief engineer submit a report on the implementation of these accounts every four years. The bill aims to improve water management by providing more flexibility in groundwater use while maintaining protections for existing water rights and water sources.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Agriculture and Natural Resources (Senate)

https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb58/