SESSION OF 2024
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON HOUSE BILL NO. 2493
As Recommended by House Committee on
Local Government

Brief*
HB 2493 would establish requirements for rural water
districts to undergo a public letting process for contracts when
certain requirements are met.

Public Letting Requirements
The bill would require all rural water districts (districts) to
utilize a public letting process when seeking to expend more
than $25,000 for construction, installation, or replacement of
any facilities, water lines, pump stations, or buildings within
the district. The bill would also require that the bid be
awarded to the lowest and best bid received.
The bill would also exempt expenditures made by
districts that meet the following criteria:
● Expenditures of district moneys for professional
services;
● Purchases of insurance contracts; or
● Repairs or replacements made during a public
health and safety emergency, as declared by the
board of directors of the district.


____________________
*Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research
Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental
note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at
http://www.kslegislature.org
Public Letting Process
The bill would require the district to provide no less than
20 days notice in a newspaper of general circulation within
the county before the district can award the contract. If no
such newspaper exists, then the bill would allow the district to
post notice in no less than three conspicuous places in the
service area of the district.
The bill would require the notice to:
● Describe specifications of the planned
improvement project, in reasonable detail;
● Provide the time and place the contract shall be
awarded; and
● Invite sealed proposals for the project.
The bill would also allow districts to provide additional
notice as the district’s board of directors deems necessary or
proper.

Background
The bill was introduced by Representatives Johnson,
Buehler, Neelly, and Proctor.

House Committee on Local Government
In the House Committee hearing, proponent testimony
was provided by Representative Johnson, a representative of
Leavenworth County, and a private citizen who self-identified
as a rural water district board member. The proponents
generally stated that the bill would help ensure public moneys
are spent effectively by having a transparent process.
Written-only opponent testimony was provided by
representatives of Butler County Rural Water District #5,
2- 2493
Harvey County Rural Water District #1, Jackson County Rural
Water District #3, Kansas Rural Water Association,
Leavenworth County Rural Water District #1, and Marion
County Rural Water District #4.
No other testimony was provided.

Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note provided by the Division of
the Budget, the Kansas Water Office indicates that the bill
would have no fiscal impact. The Kansas Association of
Counties also indicates that the bill would have no impact on
county governments unless that county also operated a rural
water district.
Any fiscal effect from the bill is not reflected in The FY
2025 Governor’s Budget Report.
Local government, special use district, rural water district, contracts, public letting
process, exemptions


3- 2493