(a) The state historical society shall have the following historic preservation powers and duties:

(1) Undertake a statewide survey to identify and document historic properties, including all those owned by the state, its instrumentalities and political subdivisions.

Terms Used In Kansas Statutes 75-2721

  • Bequest: Property gifted by will.
  • Devise: To gift property by will.
  • Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
  • Historic preservation: means the study, identification, protection, restoration and rehabilitation of buildings, structures, objects, districts, areas and sites significant in the history, architecture, archeology or culture of the state of Kansas, its communities or the nation. See Kansas Statutes 75-2716
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Person: means any individual, firm, association, organization, partnership, business, trust, corporation or company. See Kansas Statutes 75-2716
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See Kansas Statutes 77-201

(2) Prepare and maintain a state register of historic places, which shall include all those listed on the national register of historic places. The historical society shall adopt standards for the listing and maintenance of historic properties on the state register consistent with relevant federal standards for preservation and care of historic properties.

(3) Prepare the state’s preservation plan, review such plan annually and make appropriate revisions.

(4) Within limits of available resources, acquire historic properties by gift, purchase, devise or bequest; preserve, restore and administer such properties; and transfer such properties when authorized by law.

(5) Establish standards and criteria for the acquisition of historic properties and for the preservation, restoration, maintenance and operation of properties under the jurisdiction of the agency, and, when deemed proper, to charge reasonable admission fees to such properties.

(6) Undertake the procedures necessary to qualify the state for participation in sources of federal aid for historic preservation purposes.

(7) Provide information concerning historic properties within the state to the agencies and instrumentalities of the federal, state and local governments and, where appropriate, to private individuals and organizations.

(8) Cooperate with federal, state and local government agencies in the planning and conduct of specific undertakings affecting historic properties and preservation objectives and in overall land-use planning.

(9) Disburse federal and state funds to local governments and private agencies and individuals for historic preservation work; establish standards of eligibility to receive such funds; and enter into maintenance agreements with local governments and private agencies concerning historic properties.

(10) Participate in national and international conferences and programs concerning historic preservation and cooperate with federal officials and agencies in the conduct of such activities.

(11) Subject to limitations of staff and resources, provide technical and financial assistance to local historic preservation organizations and private parties involved in historic preservation activities.

(12) Assist, where possible, in developing public interest in historic preservation through the development and implementation of interpretive programs for historic properties and through the management of the state’s historical marker program.

(13) Develop an ongoing program of historical, architectural and archeological research and development, to include continuing surveys, excavation, scientific recording, interpretation and publication of the state’s historical, architectural, archeological and cultural resources. A reasonable charge may be made for publications.

(14) Request that the attorney general take action authorized under subsection (d) of Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 75-2724 and amendments thereto against any person or entities who fail to obtain any demolition or building permit required by local or state law.

(b) The state historic preservation officer shall adopt rules and regulations to implement and administer the provisions of Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 75-2715 through 75-2725, and amendments thereto.