KARA Commends Governor Laura Kelly’s Signature on Water Investment

Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association (KARA) commends Kansas Governor Laura Kelly’s signature on Senate Sub for HB 2302 as the association successfully worked to secure increased funding for the State Water Plan and agricultural water conservation projects.

Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association (KARA) commends Kansas Governor Laura Kelly’s signature on Senate Substitute for HB 2302 as the association successfully worked throughout the 2023 Kansas legislative session to secure increased funding for the State Water Plan and agricultural water conservation projects.

“As one of the main proponents behind the final form of this legislation, our membership, board of directors and water subcommittee are appreciative Governor Kelly and a bipartisan majority of our state’s elected officials recognize the importance of dedicated funding to address water quantity and quality issues,” KARA President and CEO Ron Seeber said.

The bill designates $35 million in additional annual funding toward the state water plan fund. This funding is in addition to the current $18 million directed annually to the fund. The additional funding will run annually through state fiscal year 2027.

“We must protect the water that has powered our booming farming economy for generations,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I’m proud that Republicans and Democrats were able to come together to make progress on this pressing crisis, investing a historic level of resources into major water storage projects.”

KARA met with House and Senate leadership to express our support for the additional funding for agricultural water conservation projects. KARA is grateful the final version of the bill uses state general funds to pay off $52 million in state reservoir debt, rather than using state water plan funds as was initially proposed by the House bill.