Governor’s Veto of Kansas Hunting and Fishing Bill Sustained
Posted 2025-04-23 by
The bill would’ve allowed KDWP to sell discounted hunting and fishing licenses to older adults and would limit nonresident hunters' access to public lands
After governor veto, Kansas lawmakers have decided not to pursue a bill to restore discounted hunting and fishing licenses to older adults while limiting nonresidents’ ability to hunt waterfowl on public lands. (Photo by Realtree)
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly (D) vetoed a bill to restore discounted hunting and fishing licenses to older adults in the state and make big changes for non-resident waterfowl hunters. After vetoing Bill 2028, Gov. Kelly sent it back to the Kansas House for review, but lawmakers chose not to have a veto override session on the bill, meaning the governor’s veto was sustained.
According to ksnt.com, if the bill had passed, it would’ve allowed the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) to sell discounted combination hunting and fishing licenses again to older adults after sales were stopped in 2024 due to an error.
After its initial introduction, lawmakers added in language to the bill that would’ve severely limited where and when out-of-state waterfowl hunters could participate in hunting activities in Kansas. Additional amendments added to the bill would’ve also changed the cost of the migratory waterfowl habitat stamp and altered the age range for the children’s lifetime hunting and fishing licenses.
Kelly says she was concerned about the added limitations to hunting for out-of-state residents.
“While this bill touches on a variety of hunting and fishing issues, I am particularly concerned with how this bill severely limits non-Kansas residents from hunting waterfowl on public lands. More specifically, this prohibition could have a detrimental impact on the prosperity of our communities and businesses by denying the many positive outcomes from the economic activity generated by non-residents coming into our state for hunting purposes.
“I will not support a bill that could harm the economic vitality of rural Kansas communities across the state.”
Previously, Kansas Senate lawmakers approved the bill at a vote of 40-0 on March 26 while representatives in the House approved the bill at a vote of 65-59 on March 27.
