KS
Kansas Senate Bill SB457

Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB457

Introduced
2/6/24  
Refer
2/7/24  
Report Pass
2/20/24  
Refer
2/23/24  
Refer
2/28/24  
Engrossed
4/1/24  
Refer
4/1/24  

Caption

Prohibiting public utilities from exercising eminent domain for the siting or placement of solar facilities.

Impact

The enactment of SB457 will modify existing statutes that govern public utilities and their ability to utilize eminent domain as a means for site acquisition. By restricting this power specifically for solar facilities, the bill represents a significant shift in how energy projects may be developed and signifies a broader legislative trend toward supporting renewable energy at a grassroots level. The implications are particularly relevant given the growing emphasis on green energy solutions amid national discussions on sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Summary

Senate Bill 457 seeks to amend current public utility laws in Kansas by prohibiting public utilities from exercising eminent domain for the siting or placement of solar facilities. This bill addresses increasing concerns over land use rights, particularly as more communities consider the installation of renewable energy sources. By preventing utilities from claiming land via eminent domain for solar energy projects, the bill aims to protect property owners and empower grassroots initiatives in energy generation.

Contention

Points of contention surrounding SB457 primarily focus on the balance between community rights and the needs of utility companies. Proponents argue that this measure is necessary to ensure that landowners retain agency over their property and to foster local renewable energy initiatives. Critics, however, contend that limiting eminent domain for solar projects could slow the rollout of critical infrastructure necessary for meeting renewable energy targets, as large-scale solar installations often require significant amounts of land that may not be available without such authority.

Voting_history

On March 27, 2024, SB457 was passed by the Senate with overwhelming support, recording 38 votes in favor and none against. The unanimous nature of the vote indicates broad bipartisan agreement on the importance of protecting property rights in the context of expanding renewable energy facilities, making this an important milestone for environmental legislation in the state.

Latest SB457 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS HB2621

Prohibiting public utilities from exercising eminent domain for the siting or placement of solar facilities.

KS SB455

Prohibiting public utilities from exercising eminent domain for the siting or placement of solar generation facilities.

KS SB312

Requiring the approval of the board of county commissioners prior to the exercise of the power of eminent domain by certain public utilities.

KS HB2227

Authorizing certain power purchase agreements with renewable energy suppliers, exempting the sales of electricity pursuant to power purchase agreements from public utility regulation and requiring electric public utilities to enter into parallel generation contracts with certain customers of the utility.

KS SB262

Requiring government agencies, public utilities and other entities when exercising the power of eminent domain to make a good faith offer for the property prior to filing an eminent domain action, providing the good faith offer, if greater than the appraiser's award, shall be deposited with the court, allowing appeals from that amount, prohibiting the exercise of eminent domain for recreational trails and park and recreational facilities and deleting the power of the legislature to condemn property for economic development.

KS HB2187

Requiring government agencies, public utilities and other entities when exercising the power of eminent domain to make a good faith offer for the property prior to filing an eminent domain action, providing the good faith offer, if greater than the appraiser's award, shall be deposited with the court, allowing appeals from that amount, prohibiting the exercise of eminent domain for recreational trails and park and recreational facilities and deleting the power of the legislature to condemn property for economic development.

KS HB4065

Utilities; definitions; electric utilities; public utilities; exemptions from definitions; emergency.

KS HB1172

Eminent domain by public utilities.

KS SB214

Prohibiting public utilities from recovering any dues, donations or contributions to any charitable or social organization or entity through customer rates.

KS HB2527

Authorizing electric public utilities to recover certain depreciation and construction work in progress expenses and limiting the time that such recovery may be implemented, authorizing the provision of economic development electric rates for certain large electric customers and limiting the time that such rates may be implemented, extending the timeline for the state corporation commission to issue an order in ratemaking treatment proceedings, authorizing electric public utilities to retain certain generating facilities in the utilty's rate base, prohibiting the commission from authorizing the retirement of certain generating facilities unless certain requirements are met, increasing the capacity limitation for the total amount of net metering facilities that may operate in the service territory of an investor-owned electric public utility, requiring net metering facilities to be appropriately sized based on the customer's average load and establishing requirements for exporting power from a net metering system to a utility.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.