74-2615. Abolishment of state water resources board and executive director thereof; powers, duties and functions transferred to Kansas water office and director; continuation of rules and regulations and orders and directives of board and its executive director. (a) On July 1, 1981, the state water resources board created by K.S.A. 74-2605, and the office of executive director of the state water resources board created by K.S.A. 74-2607, are hereby abolished.

(b) All of the powers, duties and functions of the existing state water resources board and the existing executive director of the state water resources board are hereby transferred to and conferred and imposed upon the director of the Kansas water office established by this act, except as otherwise provided in this act.

(c) The director of the Kansas water office established by this act shall be the successor in every way to the powers, duties and functions of the state water resources board and the executive director of the state water resources board in which the same were vested prior to the effective date of this act, except as otherwise provided in this act. Every act performed in the exercise of such powers, duties and functions by or under the authority of the director of the Kansas water office established by this act shall be deemed to have the same force and effect as if performed by the state water resources board or the executive director of the state water resources board in which such powers, duties and functions were vested prior to the effective date of this act.

(d) Whenever the state water resources board, or words of like effect, is referred to or designated by a statute, contract or other document, such reference or designation shall be deemed to apply to the director of the Kansas water office established by this act.

(e) Whenever the executive director of the state water resources board, or words of like effect, is referred to or designated by a statute, contract or other document, such reference shall be deemed to apply to the director of the Kansas water office established by this act.

(f) All rules and regulations of the state water resources board or the executive director of the state water resources board in existence on the effective date of this act shall continue to be effective and shall be deemed to be duly adopted rules and regulations of the director of the Kansas water office established by this act until revised, amended, revoked or nullified pursuant to law.

(g) All orders and directives of the state water resources board or the executive director of the state water resources board in existence on the effective date of this act shall continue to be effective and shall be deemed to be orders and directives of the director of the Kansas water office established by this act until revised, amended or nullified pursuant to law.

(h) On the effective date of this act, the director of the Kansas water office shall succeed to whatever right, title or interest the state water resources board has acquired in any real property in this state, and the director shall hold the same for and in the name of the state of Kansas. On and after the effective date of this act, whenever any statute, contract, deed or other document concerns the power or authority of the state water resources board to acquire, hold or dispose of real property or any interest therein, the director of the Kansas water office shall succeed to such power or authority.

(i) The director of the Kansas water office established by this act shall be a continuation of the state water resources board and the executive director of the state water resources board, except as otherwise provided in this act.

History: L. 1981, ch. 302, § 3; July 1.