Topeka ? Add a Douglas County water fight to the list of contentious issues before lawmakers as they near the end of the wrap up session.

Later today, the House is expected to debate a measure that would prevent the state from approving a permit for Public Wholesale Water Supply District No. 25 to use eminent domain to condemn land to drill a water well.

The Senate approved the measure on Saturday.

But during a meeting of the House Republican caucus, members sparred over the legislation.

Several legislators said the proposal was needed to protect Kansas River Valley farmers from losing availability to water to grow a wide variety of specialty crops.

But others said the state shouldn’t get involved in the dispute between farmers and the water district.