Kansas2026Passed Legislature
HB2041
HB2041: Competitive Bidding for Electric Transmission Line Permits
Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 9:52 AM
In one sentence
This bill requires electric utilities to prove they used a fair competitive bidding process before the state can permit certain new high-voltage power lines.
What it does
- Requires an electric utility to include proof of a completed competitive bid in its application for a siting permit if costs are recovered through a regional transmission organization.
- Mandates that utilities show evidence the bidding process was open, fair, and selected the lowest reasonable bid among qualified bidders.
- Directs the state corporation commission to issue an order confirming whether these competitive bid requirements were met before permitting the line.
- Sets deadlines for public hearings within 90 days of filing and final orders from the commission within 120 days.
- Requires utilities to pay all costs associated with holding hearings on their permit applications.
Who it affects
- Electric public utilities seeking permits to build transmission lines in Kansas.
- The state corporation commission, which reviews applications and issues orders.
- Landowners whose property is within 660 feet of the proposed line centerline or will be acquired for construction.
Limits and unknowns
- This rule only applies if the costs of the transmission line will be recovered through a regional transmission organization.
- The bill text does not specify what happens if no qualified bidders submit an offer for a proposed line.
- The final status shows this bill died in committee, meaning it did not become law despite passing both chambers earlier.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Siting permit
- Official permission from the state required before a utility can prepare land, build a power line, or take private property through eminent domain.
- Regional transmission organization (RTO)
- A group that manages electricity flow across large areas and recovers costs for building new lines from customers in those regions.
- Eminent domain
- The legal right of the government or a utility to take private land for public use, usually with payment to the owner.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
Requiring a competitive bid process for the permitting of electric transmission lines.
Official activity
Bill history
- Died in CommitteeHouse
- Referred to House Committee on Energy, Utilities and TelecommunicationsHouse
- IntroducedHouse