Topeka — Senators' changes improved a bill that would revise water quality laws, Gov. Bill Graves says.
Graves said Friday that water legislation approved by the Senate and sent to the House this week is more acceptable to him than a version endorsed by the Senate Natural Resources Committee earlier.
The governor said previously that he didn't want legislators to approve a water bill because it would hamper his administration's negotiations with the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Last year, the EPA proposed water quality regulations for Kansas that were widely criticized by agriculture groups and state officials as too harsh.
Graves discussed the water bill and other topics during a Friday news conference at the Statehouse.
He said he hasn't decided whether to sign the water legislation.
"Our hope would be that the House now would continue the debate and discussion and the progress," Graves told reporters.
The water bill would establish a process for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to reclassify state streams for pollution control purposes. Supporters say it would avoid wasting the state's regulatory efforts on dry streambeds, while opponents charge it would weaken pollution controls.
One key change in the Senate would make sure that no stream could be removed from pollution standards if it has a source of pollution on one of its banks no matter how low the stream.
Graves acknowledged his cabinet secretaries disagree on the bill, but added: "In the final analysis it will be my decision to sign or not sign."
The governor also:
l Publicly endorsed a bill to require liquor stores to keep track of who purchases beer in kegs, adding he doesn't view it as overly burdensome, as opponents have maintained. Supporters argue the bill would decrease binge drinking by underage Kansans, and Graves declared: "If it gets to my desk, I'll sign it."
l Said he's pleased by the federal government's decision to provide $667,000 to help shut down methamphetamine labs. The House Appropriations Committee added the money to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation's proposed budget this week, along with permission for the agency to hire 13 new employees.
l Expressed little surprise at 2000 federal census figures for Kansas, released this week. They showed a doubling of the state's Hispanic population over the past decade, as well as continued urbanization.
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