Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB131

Introduced
1/30/25  

Caption

Requiring the state corporation commission to establish and enforce a code of conduct and agricultural mitigation protocol for the development, operation and decommissioning of certain large energy facilities.

Impact

The implementation of this bill is expected to significantly influence how large energy facilities interact with landowners in rural Kansas. The bill explicitly requires facility owners to prioritize landowner communication through truthful and non-coercive dialogues. Additionally, landowners will have rights to adequate compensation that exceeds the fair market value of their property interests when eminent domain is invoked. Procedures for early landowner involvement and impact mitigation protocols for agricultural operations are also highlighted, aiming to minimize disruptions to local farming practices.

Summary

Senate Bill 131 mandates the Kansas state corporation commission to establish and enforce a comprehensive code of conduct and agricultural impact mitigation protocols regarding the development, operation, and decommissioning of large energy facilities within rural areas. The bill defines large energy facilities to include commercial battery storage systems, solar energy conversion systems, electric transmission lines, and wind energy conversion systems. By imposing these regulations, SB131 aims to ensure that energy facility owners adhere to public transparency practices and uphold the rights of landowners affected by such projects.

Contention

While the bill has the potential to enhance protections for landowners, it may also generate concerns among energy developers about the increased regulatory burden and potential delays in project implementation. Proponents argue that these safeguards are necessary for ethical operating procedures and respect for local communities, while opponents might contend that such regulations could hinder the development of renewable energy infrastructure in Kansas. Balancing the interests of landowners and energy facility operators will be crucial as this legislation is enforced.

Additional_points

SB131 also includes provisions for civil penalties against facility owners who violate the established code of conduct, thus providing a mechanism for accountability. The Kansas corporation commission will have the authority to adjudicate disputes and enforce compliance, which may prove essential in protecting landowner rights amidst varying interests in energy development.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS HB2764

Establishing a tax credit for contributions to eligible charitable organizations operating pregnancy centers or residential maternity facilities and establishing a child tax credit, increasing the tax credit amount for adoption expenses and making the credit refundable and providing a sales tax exemption for pregnancy resource centers and residential maternity facilities.

KS SB247

Providing a sales tax exemption for purchases by a not-for-profit corporation operating a community theater.

KS HB2041

Providing a sales tax exemption for purchases by a not-for-profit corporation operating a community theater.

KS HB2097

Enacting the Kansas film and digital media industry production development act, providing a tax credit, sales tax exemption and loans and grants to incentivize film, video and digital media production in Kansas, establishing a program to be administered by the secretary of commerce for the purpose of developing such production in Kansas, requiring the secretary of commerce to issue reports on the economic impact, providing sales tax exemptions for purchases by a certain community theaters and purchases and sales made by the friends of cedar crest association and establishing an income, privilege and premium tax credit for employers that employ members of the Kansas army and air national guard and establishing an income tax credit for employees that are members thereof.

KS HB2454

Providing a sales tax exemption for purchases of construction materials by a contractor for a not-for-profit corporation operating a theater.

KS SB498

Establishing a tax credit for contributions to eligible charitable organizations operating pregnancy centers or residential maternity facilities, increasing the tax credit amount for adoption expenses and making the credit refundable and providing a sales tax exemption for pregnancy resource centers and residential maternity facilities.

KS HB2768

Providing a property tax exemption for certain new electric generation facilities and sunsetting current property tax exemptions for such facilities removing certain requirements relating to the state corporation commission's determinations of cost recovery and prudent investments.

KS SB57

Establishing a 0% state rate for sales and use taxes for food and food ingredients, providing a sales tax exemption for children's diapers and feminine hygiene products, establishing the STAR bonds food sales tax revenue replacement fund and altering the calculation for STAR bond districts.

KS HB2435

Decreasing the sales and use tax rate, establishing a 0% state rate for sales and use taxes for food and food ingredients, providing a sales tax exemption for children's diapers and feminine hygiene products, establishing the STAR bonds food sales tax revenue replacement fund and altering the calculation for STAR bond districts.

KS SB91

Enacting the Kansas film and digital media industry production development act, providing a tax credit, sales tax exemption and loans and grants to incentivize film, video and digital media production in Kansas, establishing a program to be administered by the secretary of commerce for the purpose of developing such production in Kansas and requiring the secretary of commerce to issue reports on the economic impact of the act.

Similar Bills

HI SB523

Relating To Agricultural Biosecurity.

HI HB1294

Relating To Agricultural Workforce Housing.

HI SB498

Relating To Agricultural Workforce Housing.

HI HB843

Relating To The College Of Tropical Agriculture And Human Resilience.

HI SB2961

Relating To Agricultural Workforce Housing.

KS HB2108

Requiring the state corporation commission to establish and enforce a code of conduct and agricultural mitigation protocol for the development, operation and decommissioning of certain large energy facilities.

NJ A5347

Directs State Agriculture Development Committee to adopt agricultural management practice for housing certain full-time employees on commercial farms, and establishes such housing as eligible for "Right to Farm" protection.

NJ S2669

Directs State Agriculture Development Committee to adopt agricultural management practice for housing certain full-time employees on commercial farms, and establishes such housing as eligible for "Right to Farm" protection.