Kansas Gov. signs aviation, beer and historic railroad bills

TOPEKA (KSNT) – Governor Laura Kelly is giving her approval for seven bills Thursday which will have big impacts on the state’s aviation industry and microbrewery owners.

Seven bills in Kansas are the latest to become laws this year, according to a press release from the Office of the Governor. More information on these bills is found below:

House Bill 2498

This bill increases the transfer from the state highway fund to the public use general aviation airport development fund, according to the Kansas Legislature. It will increase funding from $5 million to $15 million for the Kansas Airport Improvement Program.

Senate Substitute for HB 2124

This allows the sale by microbreweries of beer and hard cider to retailers, public venues, clubs, drinking establishments, holders of temporary permits and caterers and allows such sales at special events to customers, according to language in the bill.

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House Bill 2481

Designates parts of various Kansas highways and bridges in honor of military personnel. It also marks the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe #3415 as the official state steam locomotive and the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad as the official state heritage railroad.

House Bill 2527

Authorizes electric public utilities to recover certain depreciation and construction work in progress expenses and limits the time that such recovery may be implemented, according to the Kansas Legislature. It also authorizes electric public utilities to retain certain generating facilities in the utility’s rate base along with other utility-related actions.

House Bill 2577

Provides discretionary authority to the Kansas State Treasurer to transfer cash certified as equivalent to the aggregate net amount received for unclaimed property to the KPERS board. It also liquidates such moneys for further investment by the pooled money investment board or for necessary payments to owners of unclaimed property.

House Bill 2588

This bill authorizes certain telecommunications and video service providers to operate in county public right-of-way and limits the fees and costs that a county may impose upon such providers for such activities, according to language in the bill.

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House Bill 2607

Amends the Kansas pesticide law to expand the applicability of civil and criminal penalties. It also updates requirements for training and supervision, proof of financial responsibility, pesticide applications in the sodium cyanide predator control category and record retention by government agencies.

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