Environment

HB 2063 establishes four conservation funds in Kansas: the State Conservation Fund, Working Lands Conservation Fund, Wildlife Conservation Fund, and Kansas Outdoors Fund. It allocates $60 million annually from the state general fund to the State Conservation Fund, with automatic transfers to the other three funds (50% to Working Lands, 25% to Wildlife, and the remainder to Kansas Outdoors) starting July 2025. The Kansas Department of Agriculture and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks will administer these funds to support conservation projects on working lands, wildlife habitats, and outdoor recreation, including irrigation efficiency, soil health, and native grassland restoration. The bill prohibits using these funds for land acquisition or to replace existing state funding for these agencies.

SB 36 increases the annual state funding cap for Kansas conservation districts from $25,000 to $50,000 per district. It changes the state matching requirement from a 1:1 ratio to a 2:1 ratio (state funds to county funds), meaning the state will match two dollars for every one dollar counties allocate for conservation activities. This applies to districts receiving state funds for operating costs, with the total state disbursement per district capped at $50,000 annually. The bill affects conservation districts and county commissioners, who must allocate funds in their budgets to qualify for the increased state matching.