HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A bill introduced Monday in Topeka could open the door for the Kansas State Fair to exit Hutchinson.

House Bill 2790 was introduced by State Representative Don Schroeder, a Republican from Hesston.

County Commissioner Bob Bush commented on this proposal, which was introduced in the appropriations committee in the house. Bush says this would be a big loss:

This may have to do with how much the state fair is paying for the city’s storm water utility. Bush admits he was on the Hutchinson City Council when this came before commissioners:

Bush went on to defend the city’s decision over the storm water utility fee and says they had to come up with a plan to solve some of the city’s issues.

If approved, the bill would require the Kansas State Fair Board to issue a request for proposals from cities in the state to host the annual event.

The State Fair Board would submit a report detailing the results of the request for proposals to several legislative committees — House Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee, House Appropriations Committee and Senate Ways and Means Committee — on or before Jan. 11, 2020.