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28 Aug

Posted at 21:45h in Regulatory
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the final guidance and a test method to evaluate efficacy claims for antimicrobial products against Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila) in cooling tower water. Legionnaires’ disease (LD) is a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) acquired by breathing in water droplets contaminated with L. pneumophila bacteria. Cooling towers are a potential breeding ground for this bacterium. L. pneumophila can disperse through the air in water droplets if cooling towers are not properly maintained. The incidence of LD in the United States has been increasing since...

02 Jul

Posted at 19:18h in Regulatory
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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced the publication of a heat standard proposal that would require employers to develop an injury and illness prevention plan to control heat hazards in workplaces affected by excessive heat. “The nation’s first-ever federal safety standard addressing excessive heat in the workplace,” would apply to all employers conducting outdoor and indoor work in all general industry, construction, maritime, and agriculture sectors where OSHA has jurisdiction. Excluded from the rule would be short-duration employee exposures to heat, emergency response activities, work at indoor sites kept below 80°F,...

24 Jun

Posted at 14:23h in Advocacy
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On June 18, in response to an action by Governor Laura Kelly, the Kansas legislature convened a one-day Special Session where two matters were debated. The first was a comprehensive tax relief bill. The second item was approval of a Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bonding package intended to incentivize the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals sports franchises to come to Kansas City, Kan. Both bills were passed, and the governor has indicated she will sign the bills into law. COMPREHENSIVE TAX RELIEF – Senate Bill 1: The House and Senate voted overwhelmingly to pass...

24 May

Posted at 16:29h in Industry News, Regulatory
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The Kansas Water Office (KWO) plans to hold meetings aimed at generating broad, and continued, legislative interest in fully funding the state water plan. Similar to the regional planning sessions Kansas Dept. of Transportation held when putting together the Kansas Highway Plan, the state’s vision is to put conduct similar regional/consult listening meetings across the state to receive feedback on funding priorities for the new state water plan funds. June 17 | 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Colby June 18 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Dodge City June 20 | 2:00...

20 May

Posted at 15:06h in Advocacy
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Before adjourning the 2024 Kansas legislative session earlier this month, the legislature sent Governor Laura Kelly a comprehensive tax relief bill and an omnibus budget bill. Yesterday, as was predicted, Governor Kelly announced her veto of the tax bill and multiple line-item vetoes in the budget bill. The Governor also announced she intends to call the legislature back in for a, “Special Session,” - likely following the Memorial Day weekend – to seek passage of a new tax package. Because the 2024 legislative session has adjourned, no bills would carry over from...

08 May

Posted at 12:43h in Advocacy, Industry News, Regulatory
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Renew Kansas Biofuels Association submitted a comment to the California Air Resources Board regarding proposed Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) amendments. The association’s comment acknowledged low carbon biofuels have been among the largest contributors to the success of the LCFS program and pointed to the vital role approval of higher blend biofuels such as E15 and E85 could play in assisting California meet its ambitious climate goals. Renew Kansas did, however, have concerns regarding the proposed sustainability certification, pointing out costly requirements on biofuels producers and farmers if enacted. In closing its comments,...

03 May

Posted at 13:11h in Advocacy
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On Friday, April 26, 2024, the Kansas legislature gaveled back in to begin its brief, “Veto Session,” where the legislature can attempt to override vetoes by the governor. Lawmakers worked Monday and Tuesday of this week before adjourning sine die around 12:30 a.m., on Wednesday morning, officially concluding the regular 2024 legislative session. As this is the second year of the legislative biennium, any bill that was not passed is no longer a live bill. Throughout the interim at the beginning of the month, Governor Laura Kelly vetoed at least 15...

10 Apr

Posted at 12:59h in Advocacy
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The legislature worked late into the night on Friday, April 5, adjourning around 3:15 a.m., on Saturday morning to wrap up the regular legislative session for 2024. A few items, however, were referred to conference committee where additional action may be taken when legislators return on April 29 for a brief, “Veto Session,” – a time when legislators generally consider taking action to override bills vetoed by the governor. There was much activity this week, with the legislature taking final action on dozens of bills. Of note, the legislature passed a...

03 Apr

Posted at 14:28h in Regulatory
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On Tuesday, April 2, the Biden-Harris Administration announced its rule to generally require a second crewmember on all trains. In finalizing this rule, FRA reviewed and considered over 13,500 written comments received during the 146-day comment period—in addition to the testimony from a one-day public hearing. “Common sense tells us that large freight trains, some of which can be over three miles long, should have at least two crew members on board - and now there’s a federal regulation in place to ensure trains are safely staffed,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete...

29 Mar

Posted at 23:52h in Advocacy
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With Friday, March 28 being the last day for activity on most bills, the 2024 Kansas legislature has only one week of regular session remaining. The Legislature is in recess over the Easter weekend and will reconvene on Monday, April 1 for one final week of action. After-which, the Legislature will break until April 29 when they will reconvene to consider any bills vetoed by Governor Laura Kelly. Leadership in both the House and Senate have stated their intention for final adjournment on April 30. Next week, the Legislature will focus on finalizing the...

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