Utilities

SB 81 restricts discounted electricity rates for large industrial or commercial facilities in Kansas. To qualify, facilities must meet specific demand thresholds (200 kW, 300 kW, or 25 MW), maintain minimum annual load factors, and create a minimum number of permanent jobs (200+ for facilities over 40 MW). The bill prohibits facilities with projected peak demand of 40 MW or more from receiving discounts if they fail to meet workforce requirements or use certain tariff structures. Discounts last 5-10 years with percentage limits (up to 50% for largest facilities), and utilities must report program impacts biennially to the legislature.

SB 131 requires Kansas' State Corporation Commission to create and enforce a code of conduct and agricultural protection rules for large energy projects (like commercial solar, battery storage, wind, or transmission lines) in rural areas. It directly affects landowners in rural zones by mandating that facility owners must be truthful, transparent, and fair during land negotiations - prohibiting coercion, requiring clear communication, and offering compensation above market value with options for lump-sum or annual payments. The bill also requires facility owners to involve landowners early in planning, provide accessible project maps, and accept reasonable siting modifications. These rules aim to protect farmland and landowner rights during energy development.

SB 169 prohibits mobile home park landlords in Kansas from restricting tenants' choice of communications or video service providers (such as internet, cable, or broadband). It directly affects mobile home park tenants and landlords by requiring landlords to allow tenants to choose their own service providers, unless restrictions are reasonably necessary for health, safety, or welfare. The bill amends Kansas law to explicitly ban such restrictions in rental agreements, while permitting landlords to set reasonable connection standards that don’t charge more than actual costs. This creates a clear policy change ensuring tenants have unfettered access to service options without landlord interference.

This bill prohibits the development or operation of new large load data centers in Kansas counties that have experienced a drought emergency within the last three years. It directly affects county governments, which would be required to deny applications for such facilities during the three-year period following a drought declaration. The law defines a large load data center as a facility with a monthly electrical demand of 10 megawatts or more and allows counties to issue moratoriums on these projects until the three-year period ends. Existing data centers authorized or permitted before July 1, 2026, are exempt from these restrictions, and the bill does not prevent local governments from adopting even stricter land use regulations.

SB 417 regulates industrial wind, solar, and battery energy storage facilities (each 1+ megawatt capacity) in Kansas. It requires owners to obtain permits from the State Corporation Commission before new construction or major expansions, establish decommissioning plans with financial guarantees, and adhere to minimum setback distances. County commissioners may initially permit or deny construction but must follow a public hearing process, with facility owners required to register existing facilities. The bill directly affects energy facility owners, local counties, and the State Corporation Commission, which holds final authority over permits and enforcement. It aims to standardize oversight of facility development, operation, and removal while addressing environmental and land-use concerns.