This bill amends K.S.A. 58-3811 to establish a requirement for review and approval of proposed conservation easements by city or county planning commissions and governing bodies. The bill specifies that each proposed conservation easement must be approved by the appropriate board of county commissioners or city governing body to minimize conflicts with land-use planning. If the proposed easement is outside a city's planning jurisdiction, it must be referred to the county planning commission for review, which is required to hold a public hearing within 60 days. If the planning commission does not act within this timeframe, the easement is deemed approved. Similarly, if the property is within a city's jurisdiction, the city planning commission must review it, and failure to act within a specified period results in automatic approval.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for denying a proposed conservation easement if it is found not to be in the public interest or inconsistent with existing comprehensive plans or conservation programs. The bill repeals the existing section of K.S.A. 58-3811, indicating a significant update to the legal framework governing conservation easements in Kansas.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 58-3811