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HB 2477

Requiring the Kansas department of agriculture to publish a map on the department's official website that shows the location of all applied for diversions of water, including requested changes in the point of diversion by more than 300 feet, and expanding the current individual notice requirement to apply to all landowners that are within half a mile of such applied for diversions or changes.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas must publicly map all water diversion applications and notify landowners within half-mile radius, expanding transparency and participation in water rights permitting.

Approved by Governor on Friday, March 20, 2026
#agriculture #water
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Bill Summary · HB 2477

Legislative bill overview

HB 2477 requires the Kansas Department of Agriculture to create and maintain a public online map showing all applied-for water diversions and significant changes to diversion points (over 300 feet). The bill also expands notification requirements so that all landowners within a half-mile radius of proposed diversions must receive individual notice, rather than just those directly affected.

Why is this important

Water rights and diversion disputes are economically and environmentally significant in Kansas, particularly in agricultural regions. Enhanced transparency and expanded notification could allow neighboring landowners and stakeholders to participate in the diversion application process, potentially preventing disputes before they become costly legal battles. However, this affects water rights holders' applications and could slow permitting processes.

Potential points of contention

  • Burden on applicants: Water diversion applicants may face increased costs and delays from expanded notification requirements and heightened public scrutiny of applications
  • Landowner notification scope: A half-mile radius is significantly broader than current requirements; this affects property owners whose operations may be unrelated to water issues but who would still receive notices
  • Map accuracy and updates: Creating and maintaining real-time public mapping of applications requires sustained departmental resources and raises questions about data currency and liability for inaccuracies
  • Takings and property rights concerns: Stakeholders may argue the law effectively gives distant neighbors veto power over water rights applications through expanded participation opportunities

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

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