Summary and link to legislature’s website offer convenient access to information
PRATT — The Kansas Legislature is in session, and many people across the state are curious about what bills might affect the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP). For hunters, birdwatchers, anglers — anyone interested in the outdoors — the latest developments in the 2010 Legislature are just a computer click away. Legislation affecting KDWP is summarized in the agency’s online Legislative Update Report.

A number of bills could affect the agency and its constituents this year. On the Senate side, action has been introduced that could affect guide fees, law enforcement retirement, licensing of big game hunting outfitters, cabin fees, prairie dogs, taxation of watercraft, and the right to keep and bear arms.

On the House side, bills have been introduced regarding hunter education in the schools, light pollution in state parks and other areas, lifetime licenses for nonresident military personnel stationed in Kansas, a $5 conservation fee for all nonresident permits and licenses, a special archery deer season in Shawnee Mission Park, expansion of antlerless whitetail deer hunting, exemption of nonresidents younger than 16 from purchasing a hunting license, and exemption of residents from needing a hunting license to take prairie rattlesnakes.

The Legislative Update Report provides concise, up-to-date summaries of these issues. In addition, a link is provided to the Kansas Legislature website, which allows visitors to quickly and conveniently view the complete text of a bill and track its progress during the 2010 session.

To view the report, click “KDWP Info” in the upper left-hand corner of the KDWP homepage, www.kdwp.state.ks.us. Then click "Legislative Update Report" in the left-hand column.
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