Section 82a-1501a - Hearing panel; presiding officer appointed, when(a) The water transfer hearing panel shall consist of the chief engineer, the director and the secretary. The chief engineer shall serve as chairperson of the panel. All actions of the panel shall be taken by a majority of the members. The panel shall have all powers necessary to implement the provisions of this act.(b) The panel shall request a presiding officer from the office of administrative hearings to conduct a hearing in accordance with this act when: (1) An application for a water transfer is complete; or (2) the chief engineer, or the panel by a majority vote which includes the vote of the chief engineer, determines it to be in the best interest of the state to conduct a water transfer hearing on an application for a permit to appropriate water or an application for a change to an existing water right pursuant to the Kansas water appropriation act or on a proposed contract for the sale of water from the state's conservation storage water supply capacity, even though the appropriation or sale would not be a water transfer as defined by K.S.A. 82a-1501, and amendments thereto.(c) The hearing officer shall be an independent person knowledgeable in water law, water issues and hearing procedures. The hearing officer shall be a presiding officer for the purposes of the Kansas administrative procedure act. Subject to approval by the panel, the hearing officer, on behalf of the state, may employ such personnel and contract for such services and facilities as necessary to carry out the hearing officer's duties under this act.L. 1993, ch. 219, § 2; L. 2004, ch. 145, § 46; 7/1/2005.