SESSION OF 2025
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON SENATE BILL NO. 92
As Recommended by Senate Committee on
Utilities
Brief*
SB 92 would increase from 120 days to 180 days the
time in which the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC)
must issue a final order on an electric transmission line siting
permit application after the date the application was filed.
Background
The bill was introduced by the Senate Committee on
Utilities at the request of a representative of the KCC.
Senate Committee on Utilities
In the Senate Committee hearing, proponent testimony
was provided by a representative of the KCC, who indicated
the bill would improve the KCC’s evaluation of a transmission
line siting application by allowing more opportunity for
landowner input and involvement in the process. The
representative explained transmission lines take several
years to plan and construct, noting that Southwest Power
Pool takes 37 months to study transmission systems, identify
and construct priority transmission lines, and issue a Notice
to Construct (NTC), which are often measured in multiple
years once issued. The representative stated adding 60 days
to the KCC’s timeline to evaluate proposed transmission
routes in Kansas will not materially affect these timelines.
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*Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research
Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental
note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at
https://klrd.gov/ Written-only proponent testimony was provided by
representatives from the Citizens’ Utility Ratepayer Board,
Kansas Livestock Association, and Kansas Farm Bureau.
Neutral testimony was provided by representatives of
Evergy and Kansas Electric Cooperatives (KEC). The
representative of Evergy indicated the bill has the potential to
affect electric reliability, noting the extra 60 days could make
a difference in the competition for transformers, conductors,
and labor, and extending the approval process is an
additional barrier to timely completion of any new or extended
transmission line that is 230 kilovolts (kV) and above and
greater than 5 miles in length. The representative suggested
applying the bill to 345 kV lines greater than 5 miles in urban
areas but increasing the rural distance to 20 or 50 miles, or
only having the 180 days apply if the line is not classified as a
Reliability or Economic Development project. The
representative also suggested, should the bill move forward,
a discretionary extension of up to 60 days. The representative
from KEC indicated the KEC is neutral on the bill because of
the entity’s understanding that the business conducted
through line siting dockets is complicated, but also
acknowledges concerns about price impacts stemming from
an additional 60 days.
Written-only neutral testimony was provided by a
representative of ITC Great Plains.
No other testimony was provided.
Following discussion on the bill on February 13, 2025,
the Senate Committee recommended the bill be placed on
the Consent Calendar.
Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
the Budget on the bill, the KCC indicates enactment of the bill
would have no fiscal effect.
2- 92 Kansas Corporation Commission; electric transmission line; siting permits;
application; final order
3- 92