Bill > HB2153

This bill modifies Kansas law regarding irrigation district board elections and water obstructions, primarily focusing on three key areas: election procedures, dam and water obstruction definitions, and penalties. For irrigation districts with more than 35,000 acres, the bill allows boards of directors to conduct board member elections by mail ballot in either even-numbered or odd-numbered years, and gives the board the authority to establish board member terms between two to four years. The bill also expands and clarifies definitions of "dam" by creating separate definitions for agricultural and non-agricultural uses, specifying different height and storage volume requirements for each category. Additionally, the bill introduces a new civil penalty structure for violations related to water obstructions, allowing fines between $100 and $500 per violation, with continuing violations potentially incurring separate penalties for each occasion. The legislation provides more flexibility for irrigation district governance, provides more precise technical definitions for water-related structures, and establishes a more structured approach to enforcing water obstruction regulations, with specific provisions for how penalties will be assessed, appealed, and deposited into state funds.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Water (H)

https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2153/