This bill mandates the Kansas Department of Agriculture to enhance transparency regarding water diversion applications and changes. It requires the department to publish a map on its official website that displays the locations of all applied-for water diversions and any changes exceeding a specified distance. Additionally, the bill expands the notification requirement to include all landowners within half a mile of these diversions or changes, while removing the previous requirement for individual notices to be coordinated with groundwater management districts. The bill also amends existing statutes related to water conservation areas and repeals certain sections of current law.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that the department must post all relevant orders on its website and outlines the process for establishing water conservation areas, including the necessary components of management plans and the authority of the chief engineer in monitoring and enforcing these plans. It emphasizes the importance of compliance with state law and allows for periodic reviews of consent agreements related to water conservation. The bill aims to streamline the management of water resources while ensuring that affected parties are adequately informed of changes that may impact their water rights.

Statutes affected:
As introduced:
Enrolled: