65-5703. State emergency response commission created; membership; terms; compensation and expenses; duties. (a) There is hereby created the state emergency response commission for the purpose of carrying out all requirements of the federal act and for the purpose of providing assistance in the coordination of state agency activities relating to:

(1) Chemical emergency training, preparedness, and response; and

(2) chemical release reporting and prevention, transportation, manufacture, storage, handling and use.

(b) The commission shall consist of:

(1) The following state officers or their appointed designees: The lieutenant governor, the secretary of wildlife and parks, the secretary of labor, the secretary of agriculture, the secretary of health and environment, the adjutant general, the superintendent of the Kansas highway patrol, the state fire marshal, the secretary of transportation, the attorney general, the chairperson of the state corporation commission, and the governor;

(2) three members appointed by the governor to represent the general public; and

(3) two members appointed by the governor to represent owners and operators of facilities regulated pursuant to this act.

(c) Members of the commission appointed by the governor shall serve for terms of two years. Any vacancy in the office of an appointed member of the commission shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the governor.

(d) A chairperson shall be elected annually by the members of the commission. A vice-chairperson shall be designated by the chairperson to serve in the absence of the chairperson.

(e) Members of the commission attending meetings of such board, or attending a subcommittee meeting thereof authorized by such board, shall be paid compensation, subsistence allowances, mileage and other expenses as provided in K.S.A. 75-3223, and amendments thereto.

(f) The commission shall perform such duties as are specified in the federal act to be performed by such commissions and, in addition thereto, such duties as are specified in the laws of this state or as are deemed necessary and appropriate by the commission to achieving its purposes. In accordance with the requirements of the federal act, the commission shall establish local planning districts, subject to approval by the secretary of health and environment and the adjutant general, and shall appoint a local planning committee for each such district. Local planning committees shall perform such duties as are specified in the federal act to be performed by such committees, and in addition thereto, such duties as are assigned by the commission or by any member of the commission acting on behalf of or at the direction of the commission, or as are deemed necessary and appropriate by each such committee to achieving its purposes. The duties of the commission and the local planning committees shall be performed in accordance with rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this act.

History: L. 1987, ch. 231, § 3; L. 1991, ch. 202, § 1; L. 2004, ch. 179, § 91; L. 2005, ch. 186, § 17; L. 2012, ch. 47, § 88; L. 2023, ch. 7, § 114; July 1.