Governor Laura Kelly has signed Senate Substitute for House Bill 2172, officially creating a water program task force aimed at developing a long-term investment strategy for Kansas’ water needs. Modeled after the state’s 10-year transportation programs, the initiative will focus on securing a dedicated funding source for water infrastructure and planning.

The 13-member task force, led by a bipartisan group of legislators, includes six Kansans appointed by legislative leaders. A separate five-member work group will focus on updating the State Water Resources Planning Act. Members will represent all five conservation regions of the state.

The task force is charged with assessing Kansas’ water quality and quantity challenges, including risks to future economic growth. It will evaluate existing funding and determine whether it’s sufficient to meet the goals of the State Water Plan, particularly regarding water infrastructure.

A preliminary report is due to the governor and Legislature by Jan. 31, 2026, with a final report following in 2027. Governor Kelly first called for the task force during her 2024 State of the State address. Input gathered from 14 statewide public meetings last year helped shape the Strategic Implementation Framework, which will guide the task force’s efforts.