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During the recent polar vortex over the Midwest, natural gas prices increased dramatically. Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association (KARA) has been in contact with the Kansas Congressional Delegation, Kansas Dept. of Agriculture and the state's legislative leadership on this looming issue. Available via the buttons to the left are a few documents KARA has received from Governor Laura Kelly's staff through Kansas Dept. of Agriculture, to include a letter the Governor and the Kansas Corporation Commission sent to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on February 19, 2021. Although the exact extent of...

Week Seven of the Kansas Legislative Session This week marked the close of hearings on most bills in their chamber of origin. Next week is the Turnaround Day for bills, which means that the House and Senate will be busy most of the week with floor debate on bills that were advanced favorably from Committees. Any bill that is not passed by the full House or Senate will be dead for the year, unless it was introduced in one of a few select committees. This week was filled with high-profile issues,...

The Topeka Capital Journal is reporting, "The town of Denison in Jackson County could become unincorporated if it doesn’t receive some type of assistance paying its gas bill." The newspaper published that Denison is a town of about 180 people that now owes about $241,400 in gas bills, which is double the $125,000 it paid for gas in all of 2020. Earlier last week, KARA sent notice Governor Laura Kelly has submitted a letter urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to take all necessary and possible steps to investigate the causes of the...

Governor Laura Kelly submitted a letter urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to take all necessary and possible steps to investigate the causes of the system failures during the recent extreme-weather event in Kansas and protect Kansans from natural gas and electricity price surges resulting from increased demand. Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) Chair Andrew French, Commissioner Dwight D. Keen, and Commissioner Susan K. Duffy also signed onto the letter urging a federal investigation. “I have directed my administration to use every tool at our disposal to ensure Kansans are protected from...

Week Six of the Kansas Legislative Session This week brought further committee hearings, and debate and action on numerous bills by both the House and Senate Chambers. Find more details on this week’s legislative action, below. Hazardous Chemical Spill Notification Bill Advanced On Thursday, February 18 the House Chamber passed House Bill 2155 on emergency final action with an 85-36 vote. The bill would authorize the Kansas Dept. Health and Environment (KDHE) to establish reportable minimum quantities of hazardous chemical spills in agency regulations. Currently, all spills of hazardous chemicals must be reported to KDHE, regardless of the amount. This bill would also...

No matter how old we get, there’s something special about getting an unexpected box. It’s almost like Christmas as we break open the package and check out the contents. It’s that feeling that Nutrients for Life Foundation, the only educational voice serving the fertilizer industry, wants school teachers nationwide to have as we celebrate National Agriculture Day on March 23. That’s why I’m inviting you to become a “Fertilizer Fun Box” sponsor. The Boxes contain hands-on soil science activities illustrating the importance of soil, fertilizer, and the 4R stewardship efforts of farmers. You can donate...

Below is courtesy of Ag Retailers Association. As most of the nation faces sever winter weather, ARA and Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association (KARA) seek to inform members about an Emergency Declaration issued last night by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The Emergency Declaration will be in effect through March 4, 2021, or the end of the emergency. Response Resources Below you will find resources to help you respond and prepare for more severe winter weather. Please reference and distribute this information as needed to your team. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) How to...

Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association (KARA) has submitted comments to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its draft nationwide biological evaluations for the registration review of atrazine, simazine, and propazine relative to the potential effects on threatened and endangered species and their designated critical habitats (draft evaluations). KARA cited Atrazine's strong record of safe use, benefits of the protectant in Kansas' agricultural production, environmental benefits through Atrazine's moisture preservation and the overall economic benefits of the weed control product. Use the button to the left to view the entire comment submitted to...

Ford B. West, age 73 of Davidsonville, Maryland died surrounded by his family on Sunday, February 14 after a 15-year medical adventure with metastatic, castrate resistant, prostate cancer. Ford was born on December 11, 1947 in Murphy, North Carolina to Venson and Evelyn Ford West. He graduated from Andrews High School in 1966 and Mars Hill College in 1970. He was a member of the Mars Hill football team, tri-captain of the 1969 team, active in student government, and listed in the Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. During...

Week Five of the Kansas Legislative Session Scores of new bills were introduced again this week on a wide range of issues as the Kansas Legislature approached the February 12 deadline for non-exempt committee bill introductions. This week also brought further committee hearings on bills relating to the state unemployment insurance trust fund. Numerous hearings have already been scheduled for the coming week which may be shortened due to pending winter weather. Kansas Economic Recovery Bill Sent to Governor This week, the House passed Senate Bill 15 on a vote of 122-1. This bill...

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