Sebelius Boosts Effort to Bring Defense Lab to Kansas

Sebelius Boosts Effort to Bring Defense Lab to Kansas

Two bills to help attract NBAF to Kansas among seven signed today

Kansas' effort to attract the National Bio- and Agro-defense Facility to the state received a boost today as Governor Kathleen Sebelius signed two bills that aid bids for the laboratory.

Leavenworth and Manhattan are among 18 sites around the nation vying for the facility, and the bills signed by the Governor are part of the recruitment efforts.

"We're witnessing remarkable cooperation that has brought together all levels of government, business and industry, and elected officials of both parties. Our state already has the assets needed to attract the NBAF, and now we've shown our strong support for bringing the lab to Kansas," said Sebelius.

The first bill, SB 252, allows the Kansas Board of Regents to transfer nearly 60 acres of land to the federal government for construction of the NBAF site in Riley County, should that site be selected. This meets one of the Department of Homeland Security's requirements that at least 30 acres of land be provided for the site.

The second bill, HB 2303, creates the Kansas NBAF Interagency Working Group to support and assist the Department of Homeland Security in conducting an environmental impact study of any site in Kansas selected for the location of the facility. Appointments of designees will be submitted to the Kansas Bioscience Authority no more than 30 days after enactment, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment will coordinate the efforts of the group.

Sebelius also signed five other bills into law. These are the first bills she has signed during the 2007 Legislative Session, and all bills will take effect after publication in the statute book.

Ensuring regional representation on the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission

HB 2002 requires that one member of the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission come from each Fish and Wildlife Administration Region, as established by the Department of Wildlife and Parks. The bill also makes several technical changes to the existing statutory language in order to address situations where there may be more than one vacancy on the board.

Redefining renewable energy

HB 2039 amends the definition of renewable energy in several statutes. Specifically, the amendment deletes the word "thermal" from the definition of renewable resources or technologies.

Designating "The 95th Division, the Iron Men of Metz Highway"

HB 2041 designates a part of U.S. 24, U.S. 59 and K-92 as "The 95th Division, the Iron Men of Metz Highway." The designation would begin on U.S. 24 from the eastern city limits of Topeka, then east on U.S. 24 to the junction with U.S. 59, then north on U.S. 59 to the junction with K-92 Highway, then in a northeasterly direction on K-92 to the City of Leavenworth.

Detailing protocol for Greely County unification proposals
SB 36 makes minor corrections in last year's legislation (SB 164) regarding a possible city-county unification in Greeley County. This new bill details when the final plan may be submitted to voters, the provisions required for the issuance of bonds, the election of governing body members and classification requirements for certain cities and counties.

http://www.governor.ks.gov/news/NewsRelease/2007/nr-07-0214a.htm