Legislative Update
March 04, 2022
CEP has a rich history of advocacy. We respond to rapidly evolving climate and energy issues by mobilizing Kansans to take action through advocacy, coalition building, legislative action, and regulatory intervention.
Thanks to all who were able to join us for our WEALTH Day virtual gathering. We are ready to start planning 2023 … and eager to be back at the Capitol for that gathering. There’s no doubt we need to continue to elevate our voices with policymakers about the importance of policies that preserve and protect our environment.
The legislature is now in its final weeks of committee hearings with the last day for committees scheduled for March 18. Both Chambers were busy hearing the bills their counterparts passed.
Of greatest significance to Climate + Energy Project was the unfinished work in the Water Committee. Committee members worked the Water bill on Tuesday morning.
- You’ll recall Executive Director Dorothy Barnett testified in favor of the bill earlier this session, along with many other environmental advocates and WEALTH partners.
- Unfortunately, the bipartisan water bill was gutted and likely will not advance. We’re disheartened this bipartisan effort won’t make progress this year, further challenging efforts to ensure our state’s water supply. Read more about what happened here.
Moving into next week, the Senate Utilities Committee Chairman Mike Thompson will make another run at handcuffing the wind industry’s ability to site projects. This week’s effort targets wind lighting systems. SB 478 will have a hearing on Wednesday and Thursday. Climate + Energy Project opposes this bill. Senator Thompson has invited two speakers to discuss ADLS (aircraft detection lighting system) and radar technology for wind turbines Monday at 1:30 PM.
The House Commerce Committee has scheduled a hearing on the preemption bill that prohibits local governments from banning plastic bag use, etc. The bill passed the Senate 27-13. The hearing on HB 493 is scheduled for Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. and the Climate + Energy Project will oppose the bill.
We appreciate your continued advocacy for responsible clean energy policies that support a sustainable future for generations to come.
View last week’s legislative update on our website.
Live and recorded hearings can be viewed on the Statehouse Live & Archive Page.
Bills We’re Watching
SB 493 – Prohibiting cities and counties from regulating plastic and other containers designed for the consumption, transportation or protection of merchandise, food or beverages. Introduced by Senator Olson. Original and current bill sponsor: Committee on Federal and State Affairs. Passed the Senate 27-13. House received and introduced Mar. 1. Referred to House Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development. Hearing scheduled for Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in room 346-S.
SB 478 – Establishing requirements for wind energy conversion system obstruction lighting to mitigate the visual impact of such lighting systems. Requested for introduction Feb. 9 by Senator Thompson. Referred to and sponsored by Senate Utilities Committee. Withdrawn from Committee on Utilities; Referred to Senate Committee on Ways and Means Feb. 23. Withdrawn from Ways and Means and referred back to Utilities Mar. 1.
- Proponents Hearing: Wednesday, March 9, 2022, 1:30 PM Room 548-S
- Opponents Hearing: Thursday, March 10, 2022, 1:30 PM Room 548-S
HB 2689 – Limiting cost recovery of replacing coal-fired electric generation facilities in rates, requiring public utilities to purchase certain electricity generated from coal-fired facilities and exempting certain coal-fired electric generation facilities from regulation. Introduced Feb. 10 and sponsored by the House Committee on Federal and State Affairs. Referred to House Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications. No hearing has been set.
HB 2696 – Establishing electric generation requirements for certain renewable energy resources that provide baseload generation supply to public utilities. Requested for introduction by Representative Barker (R-District 70). Introduced Feb. 11 and sponsored by the House Committee on Federal and State Affairs. Referred to House Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications. No hearing has been set.
SB 374 – Discontinuing the property tax exemption for new developments of renewable energy resources. Introduced Jan. 24 by Senator Mike Thompson. Bill sponsor: Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs. Referred to Senate Committee on Assessment and Taxation. No hearing has been set.
Live and recorded hearings can be viewed on the Statehouse Live & Archive Page.
Thank You for Attending WEALTH Day 2022!
This year, WEALTH Day focused on ways to virtually show support from afar for policies related to the WEALTH topics: Water, Energy, Air, Land, Transport, and Health.
The day included:
- Toolkit for Digital Advocacy
- Advocacy Training
- Legislative Briefing with Remarks from U.S. Representative Sharice Davids
- KEEIA (Kansas Energy Efficiency Investment Act) Debrief
- Legislative Panel with members of the Kansas Future Caucus
- Kansas Youth Power Coalition Panel
- Closing Session
Recordings and materials are now available on our event page.
Kansas Rural Center Policy Watch
CEP is a 2022 co-sponsor of the Kansas Rural Center’s Policy Watch weekly e-updates. KRC monitors the state legislature for decisions affecting a diversified agriculture, the environment, our natural resource base, rural communities, and our local and regional food systems. The weekly e-updates also provide information about upcoming hearings, so constituents can contact legislators or attend.
Issue No. 9 Covered: food sales tax, water legislation dismemberment, and administrative rules & regulations proposed changes.
Read and subscribe to their latest issues on their website.
