SESSION OF 2024
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON HOUSE BILL NO. 2590
As Recommended by House Committee on
Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications

Brief*
HB 2590 would increase the maximum penalties that
can be assessed for violation of Kansas pipeline safety
regulations. The maximum per violation, per day penalty
would be increased from $25,000 to $200,000. Additionally,
the maximum total civil penalty that could be assessed would
be capped at $2.0 million, up from $1.0 million, for a given
series of violations.

Background
The bill was introduced by the House Committee on
Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications at the request of a
representative of the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC).
House Committee on Energy, Utilities and
Telecommunications
In the House Committee hearing on February 8, 2024, a
representative of the KCC provided proponent testimony.
The proponent stated the change in penalty maximums is
necessary to conform with 49 USC § 60122 (Federal Natural
Gas Pipeline Safety Act) and would allow the State to
continue using its own pipeline safety program instead of the
program administered by the federal Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration.
No other testimony was provided.
____________________
*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.klrd.org
Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
the Budget on the bill, the KCC indicates enactment of the bill
would have no fiscal impact on the agency.
Any fiscal effect associated with enactment of the bill is
not reflected in The FY 2025 Governors Budget Report.
Pipeline; safety; penalty; Kansas Corporation Commission


2- 2590


Statutes affected:
As introduced: 66-1
Enrolled: 66-1