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HB 2063

Establishing various conservation funds, allocating state moneys for conservation, requiring reports to the governor and legislature, and authorizing fund transfers and providing for the use of such funds by the Kansas department of agriculture and the Kansas department of wildlife and parks.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Creates a State Conservation Fund with three sub-funds to provide grants for land, water, wildlife, and outdoor recreation conservation in Kansas.

Stricken from Calendar by Rule 1507
#environment #funds
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Bill Summary · HB 2063

HB 2063 — Summary (Kansas, introduced Jan 24, 2025)

Status: Hearing — Thursday, Feb 6, 2025, 3:30 PM (Room 112‑N)

Main purpose

Establishes a State Conservation Fund and three sub‑funds to provide ongoing grant funding for land, water, wildlife and outdoor recreation conservation programs administered by the Kansas Department of Agriculture (Division of Conservation) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP). The bill directs an annual dedicated transfer from the State General Fund (SGF) into these conservation funds and sets program structure, eligibility, reporting, and administrative rules.

Key provisions

  • Creates the State Conservation Fund in the state treasury and protects the fund from routine sweeps; funds are to be used only for the purposes in the bill and to supplement (not supplant) existing appropriations to KDA and KDWP.
  • Prohibits use of monies transferred to or from the State Conservation Fund to finance any fee‑simple acquisition of land by federal or state government.
  • Requires the Director of Accounts and Reports to transfer $60,000,000 from the State General Fund to the State Conservation Fund on July 1, 2025, and each July 1 thereafter.
  • On July 15, 2025 and each July 15 thereafter, transfers from the State Conservation Fund are mandated as:
    • 50% to the Working Lands Conservation Fund (administered by the Division of Conservation, Kansas Department of Agriculture);
    • 25% to the Wildlife Conservation Fund (administered by KDWP);
    • remaining balance to the Kansas Outdoors Fund (administered by KDWP — Parks Division).
  • Each administering agency must adopt rules and run a grant program for its fund. Guidance on priorities, awardee selection and annual budgets is provided by:
    • State Conservation Commission for Working Lands Fund;
    • KDWP Commission for Wildlife Fund;
    • Statewide Local Recreation Advisory Board for Kansas Outdoors Fund.
  • Eligible recipients: broad set of public entities and nonprofits (state agencies, municipalities, counties, tribal nations, conservation districts, special park/recreation districts, recreation commissions, nonprofits).
  • Eligible activities (examples):
    • irrigation efficiency, grazing land management, soil health, regenerative practices, woody encroachment control, sustainable timber management, ecological restoration, water‑quality/quantity projects, and educational programs.
  • Priority given to projects that leverage federal, private or other non‑state matching funds (cash, noncash, in‑kind).
  • Agencies may use a portion of fund moneys for program administration.
  • Legislative intent that allocated moneys be fully obligated to approved projects within 12 months of allocation.
  • Annual reporting: on or before December 1 each year agencies must report to the Governor and Legislature (and post on agency websites) accounting of expenditures and descriptions of applications and funding decisions.

Fiscal impact (from Division of the Budget fiscal note)

  • Annual mandated transfer: $60.0 million from SGF to State Conservation Fund beginning July 1, 2025 — reduces State General Fund availability by that amount each fiscal year.
  • Agency ongoing costs: both KDA and KDWP estimate increased expenditures beginning FY2026 to administer grants:
    • KDA: 3.0 FTEs, ~$259,500 annually (salaries/wages) paid from the Working Lands Fund.
    • KDWP: 3.0 FTEs, ~$259,500 annually; costs split equally between the Wildlife Conservation Fund and Kansas Outdoors Fund.
  • Total estimated new salaried positions: 6.0 FTEs and ~$519,000 annually in payroll (per agencies’ estimates). The fiscal note indicates the transfer and related effects were not included in the FY2026 Governor’s Budget Report.

Who is affected

  • Kansas State General Fund (annual $60 million reduction).
  • Kansas Department of Agriculture (Division of Conservation) and Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks (grant administration, new staff).
  • Eligible recipients: farmers/ranchers, land managers, municipalities, counties, tribal nations, conservation districts, parks and recreation entities, and nonprofit conservation organizations that apply for grants.
  • Projects that can leverage matching funds are likely to be prioritized.

Implementation & timing highlights

  • Initial SGF→State Conservation Fund transfer: July 1, 2025 (and each July 1 thereafter).
  • Subsequent allocations from State Conservation Fund to the three sub‑funds: July 15, 2025 (and each July 15 thereafter).
  • Annual program reports due by Dec. 1 and must be posted publicly.
  • Agencies must adopt rules and operate grant programs; funds should be obligated to projects within 12 months of allocation.

This summary focuses on the Kansas bill language and fiscal note materials attached to HB 2063 (House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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