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Kansas2026Passed Legislature

HB2051

Kansas Bill on National Heritage Areas and Historic Trails

Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 9:52 AM

In one sentence

This bill requires the Kansas legislature to approve any national heritage area or historic trail that extends beyond federal land in the state, as well as any use of state money or property for these designations.

What it does

  • Requires a vote by the Kansas legislature through a concurrent resolution before any national heritage area or historic trail can extend beyond federal land within Kansas.
  • Stops state agencies from spending or transferring money to match federal funds for these areas without legislative approval via a concurrent resolution.
  • Prevents state lands, water, property, or facilities from being included in these designations unless the legislature approves it through a concurrent resolution.

Who it affects

  • The Legislature of the State of Kansas
  • State agencies managing funds or property in Kansas

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill only applies if a designation extends beyond federal land; it does not address areas entirely on federal property.
  • The source states that private and state owners cannot remove their property from such designations once made, but this bill focuses on preventing new inclusions without approval.

Plain language

Terms to know

National Heritage Area
A place designated by Congress where natural, cultural, and historic resources form a nationally important landscape.
Concurrent Resolution
An official agreement passed by both chambers of the Kansas legislature to approve these designations or funding.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill textStored full record

Official summary

Requiring legislative approval of any national heritage area or national historic trail in the state of Kansas and prohibiting state funding of any national heritage area or national historic trail unless such funding is first approved by the legislature of the state of Kansas.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Died in CommitteeHouse
  2. Referred to House Committee on Federal and State AffairsHouse
  3. IntroducedHouse