KansasHB 24332025–2026 Regular SessionHouse

Clarifying county authority over the transfer or appropriation of water by placing such authority, except for domestic use, with the chief engineer and water transfer hearing panel.

Sponsored By: Barb Wasinger (Republican)

Signed by Governor

senate committee on local governmenthouse committee on local governmenthouse committee on water

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Water users face fewer county rules

Kansas counties cannot require permits, fees, or other conditions for taking water for use or transferring water. County rules cannot conflict with, exceed, interfere with, or duplicate oversight by the state chief engineer or water transfer hearing panel. The ban covers existing and future county rules affecting past, present, or future water appropriations or transfers. Counties can still use zoning and sanitary rules to regulate where household wells are located and how they are used. The law takes effect upon publication in the Kansas Register.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Barb Wasinger

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 304 • No: 18

House vote • 4/23/2026

Yea: 36 Nay: 3

Yes: 36 • No: 3

House vote • 4/23/2026

Yea: 116 Nay: 6

Yes: 116 • No: 6

Senate vote • 3/13/2026

Final Action - Passed

Yes: 36 • No: 3

House vote • 2/10/2026

Final Action - Passed

Yes: 116 • No: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor on Friday, March 20, 2026

    3/20/2026House
  2. Enrolled and presented to Governor on Tuesday, March 17, 2026

    3/17/2026House
  3. Final Action - Passed; Yea 36, Nay 3, Absent 1

    3/13/2026Senate
  4. Committee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by Sen. Michael Murphy

    3/12/2026Senate
  5. Sen. Dinah Sykes raised a question of germaneness. The amendment was ruled germane.

    3/12/2026Senate
  6. Committee of the Whole - Amendment by Sen. Michael Murphy was rejected

    3/12/2026Senate
  7. Committee of the Whole - Be passed

    3/12/2026Senate
  8. Committee Report recommending bill be passed by Senate Committee on Local Government, Transparency and Ethics

    3/3/2026Senate
  9. Hearing: Thursday, February 26, 2026, 9:30 AM — Room 142-S

    2/26/2026Senate
  10. Referred to Senate Committee on Local Government, Transparency and Ethics

    2/11/2026Senate
  11. Final Action - Passed; Yea 116, Nay 6, Absent 3

    2/10/2026House
  12. Received and Introduced

    2/10/2026Senate
  13. Committee of the Whole - Be passed

    2/9/2026House
  14. Committee Report recommending bill be passed by House Committee on Local Government

    2/3/2026House
  15. Hearing: Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 9:00 AM — Room 281-N

    1/28/2026House
  16. Withdrawn from House Committee on Local Government; Referred to House Committee on Local Government

    1/13/2026House
  17. Prefiled for Introduction on Friday, January 9, 2026

    1/12/2026House
  18. Introduced

    1/12/2026House
  19. Referred to House Committee on Water

    1/12/2026House

Bill Text

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