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24 May

Posted at 09:27h in Industry News, Regulatory
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The Kansas Water Office (KWO) plans to hold meetings aimed at generating broad, and continued, legislative interest in fully funding the state water plan. Similar to the regional planning sessions Kansas Dept. of Transportation held when putting together the Kansas Highway Plan, the state's vision is to put conduct similar regional/consult listening meetings across the state to receive feedback on funding priorities for the new state water plan funds. June 17 | 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Colby June 18 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Dodge City June 20 |...

20 May

Posted at 08:11h in Regulatory
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In 2021, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and other stakeholders worked with the Kansas Dept. Health and Environment (KDHE) in passing legislation authorizing KDHE to establish minimum thresholds for reporting spills of hazardous chemicals. Previously, all spills of any size were required to be reported even if the spill was of a volume that was of such low risk as to pose no risk to human or animal health or the environment. This was a notable departure from the standards set by other states and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)....

20 May

Posted at 08:04h in Advocacy
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Before adjourning the 2024 Kansas legislative session earlier this month, the legislature sent Governor Laura Kelly a comprehensive tax relief bill and an omnibus budget bill. Yesterday, as was predicted, Governor Kelly announced her veto of the tax bill and multiple line-item vetoes in the budget bill. The Governor also announced she intends to call the legislature back in for a, “Special Session,” - likely following the Memorial Day weekend – to seek passage of a new tax package. Because the 2024 legislative session has adjourned, no bills would carry over from the regular 2024 session into the...

03 May

Posted at 06:09h in Advocacy
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On Friday, April 26, 2024, the Kansas legislature gaveled back in to begin its brief, “Veto Session,” where the legislature can attempt to override vetoes by the governor. Lawmakers worked Monday and Tuesday of this week before adjourning sine die around 12:30 a.m., on Wednesday morning, officially concluding the regular 2024 legislative session. As this is the second year of the legislative biennium, any bill that was not passed is no longer a live bill. Throughout the interim at the beginning of the month, Governor Laura Kelly vetoed at least 15 bills that had been passed by the legislature....

22 Apr

Posted at 06:55h in Industry News
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Highlighted by hours of networking, valuable speakers and a windy afternoon on the golf course, Kansas Grain and Feed Association (KGFA) celebrated its 128th annual meeting April 15 – 16, 2024 in Wichita. The annual event attracted nearly 150 of KGFA’s active capacity and associate members to learn from agribusiness economist Shawn Hackett and Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt. “We were fortunate to book such timely, knowledgeable speakers to address our members this year,” KGFA President and CEO Ron Seeber said. “Shawn Hackett did a wonderful job of updating us on the current issues facing agriculture domestically and...

10 Apr

Posted at 05:56h in Advocacy
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The legislature worked late into the night on Friday, April 5, adjourning around 3:15 a.m., on Saturday morning to wrap up the regular legislative session for 2024. A few items, however, were referred to conference committee where additional action may be taken when legislators return on April 29 for a brief, “Veto Session,” – a time when legislators generally consider taking action to override bills vetoed by the governor. There was much activity this week, with the legislature taking final action on dozens of bills. Of note, the legislature passed a budget bill for the next few years, school funding...

03 Apr

Posted at 07:28h in Regulatory
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On Tuesday, April 2, the Biden-Harris Administration announced its rule to generally require a second crewmember on all trains. In finalizing this rule, FRA reviewed and considered over 13,500 written comments received during the 146-day comment period—in addition to the testimony from a one-day public hearing.  “Common sense tells us that large freight trains, some of which can be over three miles long, should have at least two crew members on board - and now there’s a federal regulation in place to ensure trains are safely staffed,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “This rule requiring safe train crew sizes...

29 Mar

Posted at 16:49h in Advocacy
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With Friday, March 28 being the last day for activity on most bills, the 2024 Kansas legislature has only one week of regular session remaining. The Legislature is in recess over the Easter weekend and will reconvene on Monday, April 1 for one final week of action. After-which, the Legislature will break until April 29 when they will reconvene to consider any bills vetoed by Governor Laura Kelly. Leadership in both the House and Senate have stated their intention for final adjournment on April 30. Next week, the Legislature will focus on finalizing the budget, major tax bills, and conferencing...

26 Mar

Posted at 14:32h in Industry News
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Kansas Grain and Feed Association (KGFA) has been made aware of ag retailers in Kansas, and in other states, that have received subpoenas related to multi-district federal litigation filed by plaintiffs (Paraquat Products Liability Litigation). As we understand, these subpoenas generally request information on paraquat use, purchases, and certification of the restricted use pesticide. The primary case has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. The Court set a date for information requests to be issued by March 11, 2024.  While KGFA is not able to provide legal advice on how to respond to the...

22 Mar

Posted at 16:18h in Advocacy
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The 2024 Kansas legislative session is quickly winding down. Friday, March 22 is the last day for most committees to meet and consider bills this session. On Monday, March 25, the House and Senate will begin marathon sessions of floor debate on various bills, punctuated with joint conference committees between the chambers to discuss final language on specific bills. As this year is the second year of our state’s two-year legislative biennium, any bill which does not become law this year will no longer be a live bill. Governor Laura Kelly’s core focus this session has been on expanding Medicaid...

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