ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
Gov. Laura Kelly has been keeping busy lately signing multiple bills to help Kansans.
One of those concerns continues to be broadband and Monday, Gov. Kelly signed House Bill 2061, which amends the definition of a critical infrastructure facility to include telecommunications and broadband infrastructure. This will extend legal protections to these facilities to help ensure their security and limit service outages for Kansans.
“We know that it is critical all Kansans have access to reliable high-speed internet,” Gov. Kelly noted in a Monday release from the State of Kansas. “By classifying broadband cables and wires as critical infrastructure, we are taking steps to deter tampering with these essential materials to ensure that Kansans’ internet service is not disrupted.”
The bill specifies that the term includes aboveground and belowground lines, cables, and wires used for telecommunications or video services as well as antennas, towers, and structures, the State of Kansas release noted, and the functioning of this equipment is critical for maintaining internet service for Kansans, and the increased protections laid out in the bill will ensure reliable services remain available.
“Kansans rely on high-speed internet to grow our economy, access health care, pursue educational opportunities, and so much more,” Representative for District 48 Dan Osman noted in Monday’s release from the State of Kansas. “By classifying broadband infrastructure as critical infrastructure, we are making progress to protect the equipment that keeps Kansans’ internet access intact.”
Monday also saw Gov. Kelly sign House Bill 2107, which provides for a process for Kansans to recover economic damages from wildfires and other fire events caused by electric public utilities.
“Kansas is no stranger to the risks and impacts of wildfires,” Gov. Kelly noted in the State of Kansas release. “The changes included in this bill will help better prepare utility companies to identify and mitigate wildfire risks. By taking reasonable measures, we can better protect Kansans and provide a path to recover from the financial impacts of wildfires. House Bill 2107 establishes a strong but fair legal structure to allow Kansans to pursue compensation for damages from a wildfire or fire event determined to be caused by a utility provider. Claims under the bill must be brought forth within two years of the date of damage.”
“House Bill 2107 will ensure that utilities will be able to identify cost-effective strategies for wildfire preparedness and implement solutions that protect Kansas communities while maintaining affordable energy for consumers,” Representative for District 94 Leo Delperdang noted in the State of Kansas release. “Like any other business, utility companies must be able to operate with a strong but fair legal climate that provides recourse for those damaged but also protects against excessive verdicts that could negatively impact the financial health of an industry crucial to Kansas residents, businesses, and industry. House Bill 2107 effectively balances those interests.”
In an effort to better prepare the state and Kansas communities for wildfires, the bill also requires the Kansas Corporation Commission to convene a workshop on wildfire risks, utility readiness to mitigate wildfires, risk mitigation strategies, and cost recovery for the impacts caused by wildfires, the State of Kansas release noted.
“House Bill 2107 is a smart, commonsense bill that better prepares our state for wildfires, before and after they may happen,” Representative for District 89 KC Ohaebosim noted in the State of Kansas release. “I am pleased to support practical legislation that works in the best interest of Kansas and thank Gov. Kelly for signing this bill.”
Another concern throughout the state continuues to be water, and Wednesday saw Gov. Kelly sign Senate Substitute for House Bill 2172, creating the water program task force to create a long-term investment program for water with a dedicated revenue source, similar to the state’s rolling 10-year transportation programs. The task force will also evaluate current funding for water and the state’s water planning statutes, submitting reports detailing its findings to the governor and the Kansas Legislature in 2026 and 2027, according to a release from the State of Kansas
“Developing a comprehensive, long-term, and sustainable water program is long overdue and a significant step forward in ensuring Kansas’ water supply is preserved for generations to come,” Gov. Kelly noted in Wednesday’s State of Kansas release. “Thanks to this legislation, there will now be a bipartisan strategic plan with a dedicated funding source to tackle Kansas’ most pressing water challenges. I commend the Legislature for advancing my proposal and acting on this critical issue. The task force will include 13 voting members spearheaded by a bipartisan group of legislators. Of those 13 voting members, six members will be Kansans appointed by legislative leadership. The task force also includes a five-member water planning work group, which is tasked with reviewing and modernizing the State Water Resources Planning Act.”
“Water is truly vital to Kansas agriculture, business, and communities throughout the state,” Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives Dan Hawkins noted in Wednesday’s State of Kansas release. “I commend Chairs Minnix and Rahjes, along with the members of the House Water and Agriculture and Natural Resources Committees, for their leadership in forming the Water Task Force, an essential step toward maintaining our precious water resources. The task force is charged with evaluating major risks to Kansas’ water quality and quantity, including any impact on current and future economic growth. It will also examine current funding for water and determine whether this funding is sufficient to address the water issues included in the State Water Plan, including Kansas’ current and future water infrastructure needs.”
The task force will represent every corner of Kansas by including at least one member from each of the five conservation regions of the state, the State of Kansas release noted.
"This is a critical step forward in addressing Kansas' water challenges by establishing a dedicated task force and work group to guide our state's water policy and funding decisions," Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson noted in Wednesday’s State of Kansas release. "This bill reflects a bipartisan legislative commitment to ensuring sustainable water resources for future generations, and I’m proud to see it move forward with the governor’s support."
The task force will prepare and submit a preliminary report to the governor and Legislature on or before Jan. 31, 2026, and a final report on Jan. 31, 2027. The report will include recommendations on the water program’s long-term structure to address Kansas’ current and future water needs, the roles and responsibilities of the state, municipalities, and regional entities, and identifying a dedicated funding source for the State Water Plan fund.
Other leaders also praised the plan, which Gov. Kelly had lobbied for during her State of the State address in January.
“Establishing a task force that is dedicated to making progress on Kansas’ water issues is critical to the success of our agriculture industry and economy,” Representative for House District 110 Ken Rahjes noted in Wednesday’s State of Kansas release. “This bill will allow us to take steps so our agriculture communities and rural areas can thrive. It’s crucial we secure Kansas’ water supply now, so our state remains an agricultural and economic powerhouse for decades to come.”
“Protecting Kansas' water is paramount for our generation and future generations of Kansans,” Representative for House District 22 Lindsey Vaughn noted in Wednesday’s State of Kansas release. “In passing this legislation, the Legislature and Gov. Kelly are taking a critical step to ensuring we have a long-term strategic plan for a safe and secure water supply. I'm proud to support this groundbreaking bill and look forward to seeing everything the task force accomplishes.”
