Kansas B.A.S.S. Federation Nation

February 2, 2012

For your information, the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee met this morning in Topeka to take action on several matters.  One of those was HCR 5017, which has the long range effects of reducing or eliminating the personal property tax on watercraft in Kansas.  We have been pushing this Resolution for the past four years. K.D.W.P.&T., Representative Sharon Schwartz, Melissa Wangemann of the Kansas Association of Counties and myself provided testimony in behalf of the Resolution.  After fielding several questions, the committee voted the Resolution on to the floor of the Senate for passage. If passed by 2/3 vote of the Senate, it will be written as an amendment to the Kansas Constitution.  If passed in November by the Kansas voters, the legislature will be able to change the present method used to tax watercraft.  From the testimony I gave, they are well aware how our neighboring states tax watercraft and why thousands of Kansas boats are registered out of state.  Robin Jennison and Chief Legal Council, Chris Tymeson, of the K.D.W.P.&T. were very happy to see us in strong support of this Resolution and are willing to work with us.

I really believe it will pass the Senate without any problems.  Legislatively, it is now out of my hands, but it will be time to take on the state.

I am very pleased with today’s results, but there is a long way to go.  I might go back to watch it voted on by the full Senate.  It will be interesting to see who opposes it.

Kent Craft, Legislative Liaison

Kansas B.A.S.S. Federation Nation

With the weather we are having this winter the bass might be spawning by mid March. I did see that this month is going to be a little colder, but with not much precipitation. If we don't get any rain or snow this winter it will not be good for the ponds and lakes. 

Anybody been doing any fishing? I have not been on a lake since the middle of December.

Beau Branine holds the #6 "Boater" position on the 2012 State team from his win at the 2011 Mr. Bass Tournament and Jason Benjamin holds the #12 "Non-Boater" position on the 2012 State Team from his finish at the 2011 Mr. Bass Tournament.

I plan to fish the Qualifier and that makes two, with Joel. We only need 10 more.

I can select them myself, if necessary.

We'll have a Team.

Well I am going to be there. I think the lake will be right for some great fishing. Hope we have a good turn-out.

Sounds like a good time. I sure hope I can figure out how to catch fish in that lake.