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 9  AN ACT concerning watershed districts; concerning election of directors;
10    relating to exercise of eminent domain; amending K.S.A. 24-1211 and
11    repealing the existing section.
12
13  Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
14    Section 1.  K.S.A. 24-1211 is hereby amended to read as follows: 24-
15  1211. In not less than 12 months, nor more than 13 months after the
16  recording of the certificates of incorporation, and annually thereafter, a
17  meeting shall be held for the election of directors whose terms expire
18  and also to render a report on the financial condition and activities of the
19  district including the estimated construction date of all proposed projects
20  to be initiated within the next five years and the board's determination
21  as to whether each of these projects is still cost effective and in the current
22  public interest. Notice of the annual meeting shall be given at least 10
23  days prior to the date thereof by one publication in a newspaper of general
24  circulation in each of the counties of which said watershed district is a
25  part. Elections shall be by ballot. Qualified voters in attendance shall be
26  entitled to vote at any such meeting or by mail. The directors shall fill
27  any vacancy occurring on the board prior to the expiration of the term of
28  any director by electing a substitute director to serve for the unexpired
29  term.
30    The number of directors of a district or the date of the annual meeting,
31  or both, may be changed at an annual meeting if notice of the proposition
32  of making such change or changes is given at the annual meeting im-
33  mediately preceding the annual meeting at which such change or changes
34  are considered. If the number of directors is proposed to be changed,
35  the proposition shall be introduced in the same manner as other items of
36  business and shall clearly show the changes in representation of subwa-
37  tersheds, if any, and in the length of terms of the directors. It shall be
38  the duty of the board of directors to include the proposition in the notice
39  of the annual meeting at which such changes are being considered. If a
40  majority of those voting are favorable, the election of directors shall be
41  in conformance with the adopted proposal and all powers shall be exer-
42  cised by the newly constituted board beginning immediately after the
43  annual meeting. Copies of the minutes of the annual meeting and report
HB 2435
                                     

 1  on the financial condition and activities of the district shall be furnished
 2  to the state conservation commission.
 3    New Sec. 2.  (a) Before acquiring any real property by eminent do-
 4  main, a district shall submit the dispute regarding acquisition of such real
 5  property to dispute resolution mediated by the chief engineer or a person
 6  designated by the chief engineer.
 7    (b)  This section shall be part of the watershed district act.
 8    Sec. 3.  K.S.A. 24-1211 is hereby repealed.
 9    Sec. 4.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its
10  publication in the statute book.