Page 7 - Kansas Sportsman

transfers from the state conservation fund to the SB 417 AN ACT repealing K.S.A. 32-840; removing the sec-
working lands conservation fund, wildlife conserva- retary of wildlife and park’s authority to exercise the
tion fund and the Kansas outdoors fund. right of eminent domain.

HB 2541 would propose to take $50 million from the Kansas Lottery A recent bill introduction would preclude the Kansas Department of
funds to finance a State Conservation Fund. Following hearings before Wildlife and Parks from utilizing the power of eminent domain for the
the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, the Chair taking of property. The bill passed the Senate on a vote of 25-14 and
indicated while the bill had merit, the cost and scope led to the decision was held for hearings in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources
the bill was not ready to advance for further consideration. We could see Committee. Although the bill has not passed the House, it could still get
something like this return in 2025. to the Governor’s desk in a House/Senate Conference Committee.

HB 2611 AN ACT concerning economic development; relating HCR 5020 A PROPOSITION to amend section 4 of the bill of
SB 467 to tourism; increasing the membership of the council rights of the constitution of the state of Kansas to rec-
on travel and tourism appointed by the governor and ognize the right to bear arms as a fundamental right;
updating the house committee assignment required clarifying that such right includes the possession and
for house members from the committee on agriculture use of ammunition, firearm accessories and firearm
and natural resources to the committee on commerce, components.
labor and economic development; reducing the
required allocation of funds from the department of Proponents are seeking to place U.S. Constitution 2nd Amendment
commerce’s matching grant program for the promo- protections in the Kansas Constitution. Several years ago, the voters ap-
tion of tourism to public and nonprofit entities and proved a constitutional amendment to protect hunting rights. HCR 5020
removing the restriction on the percentage of such is a natural progression of this issue, so to speak. No action was taken by
funds granted to a single entity. the House Federal and State Affairs Committee following hearings on the
measure.
The Kansas Sporting Hunting Association is named in statute as having a
designated member on this Council. HB 2611 and SB 467 increases the For copies of bills, locate a legislator contact, watch hearings, and floor
number of committee members from 17 to 20 but retains the KSHA as a action, and more, check out the Kansas Legislature’s official website:
named member. The legislation was proposed by the Kansas Department www.kslegislature.org/li
of Commerce. HB 2611 did not advance in favor of SB 467, which passed
Whitney B. Damron, P.A.
the Senate 39-1 and the House 117-6. A House/Senate Conference
919 South Kansas Avenue
Committee is expected to meet and work to address differences between
Topeka, Kansas 66612-1210
the House and Senate versions of the bill. We would expect to see this bill
(785) 224-6666
become law.
wbdamron@gmail.com
HB 2671 AN ACT concerning wildlife and parks; relating to www.wbdpa.com
hunting licenses; reducing nonresident hunting fees,
including application, license, tag, and miscellaneous
fees, to a combined amount not to exceed $25 and
requiring such fee to be refundable for any nonres-
ident who does not acquire a hunting permit for the
applicable hunting license year. The Kansas Sports Hunting Association (KSHA) strives to support all
aspects of the hunting industry - hunting service professionals, game
The bill would provide that if a nonresident applies for Kansas tag and bird producers and suppliers. KSHA shares many of the same goals as the
fails to draw, they could receive a refund for a portion of their applica- North American Gamebird Association (NAGA).
tion or earmark for preference points for the subsequent year. The bill
Our members understand that by working together to provide the best
advanced to the floor from the House Agriculture and Natural Resources
captive-reared game birds available and quality hunting experiences,
Budget Committee but was not scheduled for floor debate and ultimately
Kansas’ reputation as a hunting destination will continue to grow,
stricken from the calendar.
benefiting both gamebird producers and hunting service professionals.
The organization’s work is directed by a board of directors, elected at each
HB 2672 AN ACT concerning wildlife; relating to hunting
annual meeting.
permits; establishing transferable landowner appre-
ciation permits for the hunting of white-tailed deer; Membership is open to businesses and individuals involved in any aspect
allowing one landowner appreciation permit for every of the hunting business or to those who wish to support hunting in Kan-
80 acres of land owned, up to 10 permits; establishing sas. KSHA can be your partner in strengthening hunting in Kansas and
application and transfer requirements and providing improving your business. Learn more about the benefits of joining.
for no-fee applications therefor. Visit: www.huntkansas.org for more information. KSHA maintains this
website to promote hunting in Kansas, list members with links to their
HB 2672 is a transferable deer tag bill. The bill advanced to the floor from
websites and email information and provide additional information about
the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee but was
the organization and industry.
not scheduled for floor debate and ultimately stricken from the calendar.
THE KANSAS SPORTSMAN | SPRING 2024 7