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Renew Kansas Biofuels Association joined more than 100 other organizations in signing and sending a letter on Sept. 15 to congressional leaders requesting action be taken to avoid a rail strike. A copy of the letter is available to view to the right. Although Renew Kansas and other groups prefer a resolution be reached by the negotiating parties, if an agreement can't be made, the letter addressed to United States Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California) and House...

As you are aware, railroads and rail labor have until 12:01 a.m., on Sept. 16 to reach an agreement preventing a lockout or strike after the Presidential Emergency Board published a proposed settlement on Aug. 17. Renew Kansas Biofuels Association is working with its national affiliate organizations as well as the Kansas Congressional Delegation to find solutions to the impending rail labor strike. As this deadline approaches, there is no agreement yet in place. Class I railroads announced recently they would begin curtailing shipments of hazardous materials in anticipation of a possible...

Following the inability of comprehensive water legislation to pass the Kansas House of Representatives during the 2022 legislative session, a special joint committee featuring members of the Kansas House and Senate held informational hearings on the status of water issues this week. The previously proposed legislation would have added new water use fees on Kansas irrigators and made sweeping changes to the state’s groundwater management districts. The legislation, as introduced, was broadly opposed by agriculture. The committee, chaired by Senator Dan Kerschen (R-Garden Plain), received presentations from multiple state boards and agencies...

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Division of Environment, Bureau of Air, has published proposed amendments to its air quality regulations K.A.R. 28-19-517 regarding Class I operating permits, annual emissions inventory, and fees; K.A.R. 28-19-546 regarding Class II operating permits, annual emission inventory, and fees; and K.A.R. 28-19-564 regarding Class II operating permits, permits-by-rule, and sources with actual emissions less than 50 percent of major source thresholds. Public Hearing - The agency will conduct a public hearing at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 3, 2022, in Room 530, Curtis State...

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has $5 million available through the Short Line Rail Improvement Fund (SLRIF) for railroad improvement projects. Qualified entities that may submit an application include: any Class III (short line) or Class II railroad, as defined in 49 C.F.R., part 1201.1 holding a certificate of public convenience from the Surface Transportation Board and any owner or lessee (shipper) located on a Class III or Class II railroad in coordination with the serving railroad. Of total project costs, 70 percent will be in the form of a...

The FDA will present a webinar for stakeholders on August 11, 2022, at 1:00 PM EST, to discuss Food Facility Registration, Biennial Renewal, and obtaining an acceptable Unique Facility Identifier. U.S. and foreign human and animal food facilities that are required to register with the FDA must renew their registration this year between October 1 and December 31, 2022. During the webinar, participants will learn: Who needs to register or renew How to obtain a Unique Facility Identifier (UFI) How and where to register and renew your Food Facility Registration (FFR) About...

The federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is providing historic investments in United States infrastructure. With BIL, Kansas will receive $3.8 billion in infrastructure funding over the next five years with additional grant opportunities as well. Kansas Dept. of Transportation's summit will be held July 13 - 14, 2022 inside the Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex (5015) E. 29th Street N., Wichita, KS. The Kansas Infrastructure Hub was created as Kansas’ coordinated approach for deploying funds and maximizing Kansas’ BIL opportunities in transportation, water and sewer, energy, broadband technology and resiliency. Cities, counties and...

2022 Legislative Session, Sine Die   The 2022 Kansas Legislature returned on Monday, May 23 for Sine Die - the final day of session. The House and Senate continued work on a few bills and took action on a few bills attempting to override Governor Laura Kelly’s veto. The most anticipated issue of the day, however, was set aside following a ruling last week by the Kansas Supreme Court upholding the Legislature’s new map of Kansas’ four Congressional districts. The legislature finished its work for the year early on Monday afternoon.   Please find,...

2022 Legislative Session, Veto Session The 2022 Kansas Legislature returned on Monday, April 25 to begin its Veto Session. Legislators continued work on unfinished legislation and took action to attempt to override vetoes of various bills by Governor Laura Kelly. The legislature finished its work late on Thursday, with the Senate finally adjourning around 2:20 am early Friday morning. The Legislature passed a resolution to adjourn until May 23, 2022, at which time it will return and take any action necessary to pass a new Congressional redistricting map following a review by...

2022 Legislative Session, First Adjournment Update The 2022 Kansas legislature will return on Monday, April 25 to begin the Veto Session where it will continue work on unfinished legislation and reconsider bills vetoed by Governor Laura Kelly. Please find, below, an update on bills reviewed by the Governor during the interim, and legislation yet to be completed this year.   State Budget Governor Kelly has signed House Sub for Senate Bill 267, the budget for state agencies for fiscal years 2022, 2023, and 2024. The bill leaves an ending balance projection of $1.4 billion...

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