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HB 2145

Substitute for HB 2145 by Committee on Local Government - Establishing the Butler county fair board to consist of 15 members, providing for the appointment of members to such board and allowing up to five members of such board to be appointed from the county at large.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Reduces Butler County Fair Board to 15 appointed members and adopts Cloud County's 12-member board; sets 3-year terms, staggered, with appointments, vacancies, and officer roles.

Approved by Governor on Wednesday, March 26, 2025
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Bill Summary · HB 2145

HB 2145 — Summary (Substitute for HB 2145, Committee on Local Government)

Status: Approved by Governor (signed March 26, 2025). Becomes effective upon publication in the statute book (per Sec. 3 of the act).

Purpose

To revise county fair board membership rules for Butler County (and incorporate existing Cloud County provisions into the general county fair association statute), reducing and clarifying board composition and appointment procedures to address difficulties filling very large boards.

Key provisions

  • Establishes Butler County Fair Board membership at 15 appointed members.
    • Annual appointment meeting in December by the presiding county commissioners.
    • At the appointment meeting, one member shall be appointed, if possible, from each county commissioner district; up to five members may be appointed from the county at large.
    • Eligibility: any county resident of legal voting age.
  • Moves existing Cloud County fair board membership provisions into the underlying county fair association statute:
    • Cloud County Fair Board to consist of 12 appointed members.
    • Appointment process: annual December meeting by presiding county commissioners; one member, if possible, from each county commissioner district and one at-large member.
  • Terms and vacancies (applies to both Butler and Cloud boards):
    • Term length: three years, commencing January 1 and ending December 31.
    • Members may serve unlimited consecutive terms.
    • Vacancies filled by appointment of the remaining board members for the unexpired term.
    • Boards must elect officers (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer) from among their members.
  • Retains continuing-law election/notification mechanics for boards generally:
    • Board arranged so one-third of terms expire each year (initial staggering: 1-, 2-, and 3-year initial terms).
    • Personal notification mailed to members and publication in a county newspaper at least 10 days prior to annual election/meeting.
  • Statutory cleanup: amends K.S.A. 2-128 (and repeals prior sections as specified, including K.S.A. 19-2699).

Who is affected

  • Butler County and Cloud County fair boards and potential board members (residents of legal voting age).
  • Butler County government may experience administrative effects related to appointments and board operations.
  • No fiscal effect anticipated for other Kansas counties per the Kansas Association of Counties.

Fiscal impact

  • Division of the Budget fiscal note (Feb. 2, 2025): Kansas Association of Counties indicated enactment could have a fiscal effect on Butler County but lacked sufficient information to estimate the amount; reported no fiscal effect for other counties.

Background

  • Proponent testimony noted the prior Butler County fair board had 35 members (one per township plus six at-large), creating difficulty in filling positions. The bill reduces board size and provides a clearer appointment structure.

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

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