Kansas Ag Connection - Colyer Signs Regulatory Reform Bill into Law

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Colyer Signs Regulatory Reform Bill into Law
Kansas Ag Connection - 05/22/2018

Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. announced the signing of House Bill No. 2280 at a ceremony in Shawnee County. The bill is designed to cut down on bureaucratic red tape by reforming the regulatory process in Kansas.

"Currently we have a system that puts the burden on those being impacted by any changes to the rules. That simply isn't right," said the Governor. "The burden should be on the government to prove why new rules and regulations are necessary. We want to make it perfectly clear that Kansas is open for business."

Governor Colyer was joined at the ceremony by Ron Seeber, President and CEO of Kansas Grain and Feed Association, Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association, and Renew Kansas, who remarked that "State and federal regulations carry the full force and effect of law. This bill will help to ensure a more open and accurate process in agency rule-making in our state. This is good policy for Kansas Agribusiness and our state as a whole."

"Soybean farmers operate in heavily-regulated industries and while we agree that regulations may serve a sound purpose, the cost to comply can be high," said Kansas Soybean Association President Lucan Heinen, "The KSA feels that HB 2280 could reduce the cost of doing business which should translate into higher prices for grain or lower prices for inputs for farmers."

Also praising the bill was Kansas Chamber President and CEO Alan Cobb saying "It is important for Kansas to have a sound regulatory environment, but excessive state agency overreach can cripple a business' ability to grow and our state's economy to thrive. By requiring a thorough economic impact analysis and strengthening legislative oversight of the process, this new law provides a common-sense balance of ensuring Kansans are safe and protecting Kansas businesses against burdensome rules and regulations."

This marks the final bill presented to Governor Colyer in the 2018 legislative session. The Governor signed 118 bills into law this session including 1 with line-item vetoes.

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