April 12, 2006
Governor signs bill promoting energy education
Kansas Petroleum Education and Marketing Act bill among 7 signed today
Encouraging energy education throughout Kansas, Governor Kathleen Sebelius signed a bill that creates the Kansas Petroleum Education and Marketing Act.
This bill, SB 93, creates the Kansas Oil and Gas Resources Board. The Board will coordinate public education regarding the oil and natural gas industry, encourage energy efficiency, promote environmentally sound production and support job training and research activities, among other duties.
The Kansas Petroleum Education and Marketing Act will be funded by assessments on oil and gas production in an amount up to 0.05 percent of the gross revenue from oil or natural gas produced.
The bill will take effect after publication in the statute book.
Governor Sebelius also signed six other bills into law today. To date, the Governor has signed 99 bills and vetoed two during the 2006 Legislative Session.
Enacting the Gas Safety and Reliability Policy Act
SB 414 enacts the Gas Safety and Reliability Policy Act. Beginning July 1, 2006, a natural gas public utility will be able to petition and propose rate schedules with the Kansas Corporation Commission to establish or change gas system reliability surcharge rate schedules. These changes would allow for the adjustment of rates in order to recover the costs for eligible infrastructure system replacements. The bill will take effect after publication in the statute book.
Creating lien on property receiving utility services
HB 2592 creates a lien on a property receiving services from a municipally-owned or operated utility, if the municipality fails to receive payment for the services provided. For property that is rented to a tenant or if the user is a state or federal agency who has unpaid fees for utility services provided by a municipality, the lien would not attach to the property. This bill will take effect after publication in the statute book.
Allowing additional use of funds in Kansas Public Water Supply Loan Fund and Kansas Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund
HB 2949 permits an additional use for the moneys in the Kansas Public Water Supply Loan Fund and the Kansas Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund. That additional use will be a source of revenue or security for the payment of principal and interest on bonds. This bill will take effect after publication in the statute book.
Voiding covenant to allow use of alternative roofing materials
HB 2676 declares as void and unenforceable any provision of a restrictive covenant that requires the use of wood shingles or wood shakes as a roof covering material for any residential dwelling, unless it allows for the use of an alternative material that meets certain criteria. This bill will take effect after publication in the statute book.
Seeking approval of landowners of plats that do not conform
HB 2720 requires a planning commission or joint committee on subdivision regulations to provide written notification to the property owner(s) when it finds a plat does not conform to subdivision regulations, specifying in detail the reasons the plat does not conform. The bill also requires the governing body (city/county commission, etc.) to provide written notice to the landowner(s) as well as the planning commission or joint committee if it defers or refuses to accept the dedication of land for public purposes related to the plat. This bill will take effect after publication in the statute book.
Amending Kansas Uniform Consumer Credit Code to define “appraised value”
HB 2735 amends the general definitions provision of the Kansas Uniform Consumer Credit Code to expand the definition of the term “appraised value” and also amends real estate law regarding disclosure of a loan amount to an appraiser or other person determining appraised value. “Appraised value” will mean the estimated market value as determined through an automated valuation model acceptable to the administrator in the case of a non-purchase money real estate transaction. The bill prohibits a lender or any person acting on behalf of a lender from disclosing to an appraiser or other person engaged to determine the appraised value of real estate the amount of a proposed real estate loan or the preferred or required value of any real estate intended to secure such loan. This bill will take effect after publication in the statute book.
