KS Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism
TOPEKA–A number of bills are being considered by Kansas legislators which affect hunting, the outdoors and tourism in the state. Below is a list of the bills activity as of Tue. Feb. 17.
2015 Bills
SB46 — This bill would require domesticated deer that enter a premises alive or leave a premises alive or dead for any purpose, other than for direct movement to a licensed or registered slaughter facility in Kansas, have official identification, as prescribed by rules and regulations of the animal health commissioner. The bill passed out of the Senate Committee on Agriculture.
SB50 — This bill would amend K.S.A. 79-1439, which deals with property tax valuation classification of bed and breakfast properties. The proposed amendment would allow outbuildings or adjacent properties to be included as long as the total number of bedrooms does not exceed five. This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Assessment and Taxation.
SB97 — This bill would amend K.S.A. 32-1301 which regulates contact with dangerous animals. The amendment would allow clouded leopards and certain dangerous animals weighing 25 pounds or less full physical contact with members of the public and incidental contact with the public for animals weighing 40 pounds or less.This bill passed out of committee and is on Senate General Orders.
SB112 — This bill amends K.S.A 32-1049, relating to violations of wildlife, parks and tourism laws to clarify that county attorneys can file charges without a written citation. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and has a hearing scheduled for Feb. 19, 2015, 10:30 a.m., RM 346S.
SB113 — This bill amends K.S.A. 32-1001, relating to KDWPT licenses, permits, stamps, specifying that only physical licenses, permits or stamps shall be surrendered under judges’ orders of forfeiture or suspension. This amendment is proposed to prepare for the advent of electronic licensing. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and has a hearing scheduled for Feb. 19, 2015, 10:30 a.m., RM 346S.
SB120 — This bill would amend K.S.A. 32-833, relating to land purchases by KDWPT, to exempt lands purchased with Natural Resource Damage Restoration Funds from required legislative approval. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and had a hearing on Feb. 11, 2015. It is scheduled for Final Action on Feb. 19, 2015, 8:30 a.m. RM 159-S
SB132 — This bill would amend K.S.A. 32-1301 to add nonhuman primates and wolves, excluding hybrids, to the list of “dangerous regulated animals.” The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources.
SB134 — This bill would amend statutes concerning noxious weeds and would allow the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, with recommendations from the state advisory committee, to declare any species of weed a noxious weed. It would also allow county commissions, with approval of the Secretary, to designate noxious weeds to be controlled within the county. This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture and has a hearing scheduled for Feb. 10, 2015, 8:30 a.m., RM 159-S.
SB169 — This is the Senate companion bill to HB2116, which would designate the channel catfish as the official fish of the state of Kansas. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources.
SB190 — This bill would amend K.S.A. 32-1139 to allow a person to operate a sailboat of a length 20 feet or less without completing a boater education course if that person is enrolled in an instructor-led class. This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation and has a hearing scheduled for February 18, 2015, 8:30 a.m., RM 546-S.
HB2029 — This is the companion bill of SB46 regarding identification of domesticated deer. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources and had a hearing on Jan. 27. The bill was place on Final Action on Feb. 10, 2015.
HB2116 — This bill would designate the channel catfish as the official fish of the state of Kansas. The department supports this bill. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.
HB2117 — This will would require anyone born on or after January 1, 1995 to complete an approved boater safety education course before operating a motorboat or sailboat on Kansas waters. The current law only requires boater safety education of boaters younger than 21. The department supports this bill. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources and has a hearing scheduled for February 17, 2015, 3:30 p.m., RM 112-N.
HB2168 — This is the House companion bill for SB50, which would allow outbuildings or adjacent properties to be classified as a bed and breakfast for tax valuation purposes. This bill was referred to the House Committee on Taxation and had a hearing on Feb. 12, 2015.
HB2341 — This bill would amend K.S.A. 2014 concerning wildlife; relating to seizure of wildlife; disposal, and would require the department to return seized antlers, antler sheds and horns of illegally taken wildlife to landowners or tenants on whose property the antlers, antler sheds or horns were taken. The provisions of the amendment would be applied retroactively as they relate to antlers seized by the department after Jan. 1, 2005. This bill was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.
House Concurrent Resolution No. 5008 — This resolution would amend the state constitution to guarantee Kansas residents the right to hunt, fish and trap wildlife. If approved by two-thirds of the Senate and House, the proposed amendment would be voted on in a November general election.