Adam RollinsKansas has passed a bill establishing a dedicated water program task force to guide the future of the state’s water infrastructure and programs.
The task force will develop a long-term water plan with a dedicated revenue source similar to the state’s 10-year transportation programs. The group will be responsible for evaluating critical risks to Kansas’ water resources and determining whether current funding is capable of addressing present and future water issues.
Over the next two years, the task force will compile a preliminary report on the state’s water infrastructure and funding systems by Jan. 31, 2026, and a final report by Jan. 31, 2027. The reports will outline the water program’s long-term structure to adequately address water needs, including:
- The roles and responsibilities of the state, municipalities and regional entities.
- How the program’s investments and successes should be assessed.
- Gathering stakeholder input.
- Criteria to determine program investments, including geographic diversity.
The task force will also provide accompanying recommendations to financially support these initiatives. These may include new dedicated allocations for the State Water Plan fund, changes to existing State Water Plan fund monies or identifying new funding sources.
A total of 13 voting members led by a bipartisan group of legislators will compose the task force. The Legislature will appoint six of those members. The task force will also contain a five-member water planning work group that will update the State Water Resources Planning Act.
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