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2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stephanie Barnard and 8 co-sponsors

Eliminates correspondence-course certification and caps operator exam fees at $200 or actual cost, while expanding the Public Water Supply Advisory Committee's duties.

Prefiled for introduction.

Summary — HB 2112 (2025, Kansas version)

Purpose
- HB 2112 would revise the certification framework for operators of public water supply systems and wastewater treatment facilities in Kansas by (1) changing how operator exam fees are set, (2) eliminating correspondence-course certification, (3) enlarging and broadening the duties of the Public Water Supply Advisory Committee, and (4) requiring an annual report on operator examinations.

Key provisions
- Advisory committee: Expands the topics on which the Public Water Supply Advisory Committee may make recommendations to include training, examinations, continuing education, and reciprocity. Adds four new committee members: two additional members appointed by the Secretary of Health and Environment and two members selected from three nominations each (one nominated by the League of Kansas Municipalities and one by Kansas Municipal Utilities).
- Annual reporting: Requires the Secretary of Health and Environment to submit a written report to the Legislature on or before February 1 each year containing (a) the number of operator examinations administered during the previous two calendar years and (b) pass rates for those exams, including pass rates by operator classification.
- Examination fee cap: Eliminates the longstanding $25 statutory cap on individual operator examination fees and (as amended in committee) replaces it with a cap of $200 or the actual cost of an individual exam, whichever is less.
- Repeal of correspondence-course certification: Repeals K.S.A. 65-4506, removing the statutory option to attain operator certification via correspondence courses in lieu of classroom instruction.

Who is affected
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE): rulemaking, reporting, exam administration, and fund accounting.
- Water/wastewater operator candidates and employers (including local governments): potential change in out-of-pocket exam costs or employer-paid exam expenses and elimination of correspondence-course pathway.
- Advisory committee stakeholders: additional representation for municipal utilities and municipal governments.
- Water Program Management Fund: revenue/expense changes described below.

Fiscal impact
- KDHE estimates a net-zero fiscal effect for the agency: increased exam revenue to the Water Program Management Fund would be largely offset by expenditures for third‑party exam development/administration. Fiscal estimates for FY2026–FY2027 total approximately $90,550 (based on a 3‑year average of 871 exams and an estimated $104 per exam). Some local governments that pay for operator exams could be materially affected.

Legislative timeline / status
- Introduced January 27, 2025 (House Committee on Water, at the request of Rep. Pickert).
- Committee hearing and amendments expanded the advisory committee, added reporting, added the $200 cap/“cost” language, and repealed correspondence-course certification.
- Committee reported out (recommendation as amended).
- Stricken from Calendar by Rule 1507 on February 20, 2025 (bill not advanced further while on calendar).

Notes
- Proponents (AWWA, KDHE, municipal organizations) argued the changes improve operator training quality and modernize fee authority. Opponent testimony (Kansas Rural Water Association) preferred creation of a statutory advisory committee to review exams and fees.