Governor Laura Kelly has signed Senate Substitute for House Bill 2172, creating the Water Program Task Force to create a long-term investment program for water with a dedicated revenue source, similar to the state’s rolling 10-year transportation programs. With water being the most important part of agriculture and AG being the states most plentiful industry, Kelly says the legislation will take significant steps to ensure Kansas water supply is preserved.
The task force is charged with evaluating major risks to Kansas’ water quality and quantity, including any impact on current and future economic growth. It will also examine current funding for water and determine whether this funding is sufficient to address the water issues included in the state water plan, including Kansas’ current and future water infrastructure needs. The task force will represent every corner of Kansas by including at least one member from each of the five conservation regions of the state.
