The bill amends the Kansas conservation reserve enhancement program (CREP) by increasing the acreage cap from 40,000 to 60,000 acres and clarifying the county acreage cap, allowing for the last eligible offer for enrollment to exceed these caps. It removes the limitation on acres eligible for CREP enrollment based on expired federal contracts and introduces a general ineligibility criterion based on federal ineligibility. Additionally, the bill permits CREP contracts for dryland farming or limited irrigation aimed at achieving water quantity goals, and it eliminates the prohibition on government-owned water rights participating in CREP. The bill also modifies reporting requirements to cover the preceding five years and allows exceptions to eligibility criteria based on specific circumstances.

Key changes include the deletion of previous limitations on enrollment based on federal contracts and the introduction of new criteria for eligibility, such as location in high-priority water conservation areas and circumstances like bankruptcy. The bill mandates that the Kansas Department of Agriculture submit annual reports on CREP activities and economic impacts every five years, ensuring transparency and accountability in the program's implementation. Overall, the bill aims to enhance water conservation efforts in Kansas by expanding the scope and flexibility of the CREP.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 2-1933