Kansas Secretary of Wildlife and Parks
| Kansas Secretary of Wildlife and Parks | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $97,650 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $119,176,770 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | Serves at the governor's pleasure |
| Authority: | Article 8, Section 1 of the Kansas Code |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by the governor |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
Kansas Secretary of Wildlife and Parks
Chris Kennedy | |
| Other Kansas Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Commissioner of Education • Agriculture Secretary • Insurance Commissioner • Wildlife and Parks Secretary • Labor Secretary • Corporation Commission | |
The Kansas Secretary of Wildlife and Parks is an executive position in the Kansas state government. The secretary is a nonpartisan appointee of the Governor of Kansas and serves as head of the Department of Wildlife and Parks. The department's name was changed from the Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism in 2021.[1]
Current officeholder
The current Kansas Secretary of Wildlife and Parks is Chris Kennedy (nonpartisan). Kennedy assumed office in 2024.
Authority
The Kansas Secretary of Wildlife and Parks' powers, term of office, etc. are derived from Chapter 32, Article 8 of the Kansas Code.
Article 8, Section 1:
| (a) In order to reorganize the administration, planning and regulation of the state's parks, wildlife and other natural resources, there is hereby established within the executive branch of government the Kansas department of wildlife, parks and tourism, which shall be administered under the direction and supervision of a secretary of wildlife, parks and tourism...[2] |
Qualifications
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that establishes the requirements necessary to qualify for a state executive office. That information for the Kansas Secretary of Wildlife and Parks has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Appointments
The secretary is appointed by the Governor of Kansas.
Vacancies
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that details the process of filling vacancies for a state executive office. That information for the Kansas Secretary of Wildlife and Parks has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Duties
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that outlines the key responsibilities of a state executive office; information for the Kansas Secretary of Wildlife and Parks has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Divisions
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the Kansas Secretary of Wildlife and Parks has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
State budget
- See also: Kansas state budget and finances
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks' budget for Fiscal Year 2025 was $119,176,770.[3]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $97,650, according to the Council of State Governments.[4]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $85,075, according to the Council of State Governments.[5]
2021
In 2021, the secretary received a salary of $85,075, according to the Council of State Governments.[6]
2020
In 2020, the secretary received a salary of $85,075 according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
2019
In 2019, the secretary received a salary of $84,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2018
In 2018, the secretary received a salary of $84,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2017
In 2017, the secretary received a salary of $84,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2016
In 2016, the secretary received a salary of $111,490, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2015
In 2015, the secretary received a salary of $111,490, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2014
In 2014, the secretary received a salary of $111,490, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2013
In 2013, the secretary received a salary of $111,490. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.[14]
2011
In 2011, the secretary earned a salary of $86,003.
Historical officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Kansas Secretary of Wildlife and Parks has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Recent news
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Contact information
Office of the Secretary
1020 S. Kansas, Rm 200
Topeka, KS 66612-1327
(785) 296-2281
See also
| Kansas | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Office of the Governor of Kansas, "Governor Laura Kelly Proposes Agency Reorganization to Spur Economic Growth," January 25, 2021
- ↑ Kansas Code, "Chapter 32, Article 8, Section 1a," accessed August 3, 2013
- ↑ Kansas Division of the Budget, "2025 comparison report," accessed January 17, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 15, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2020," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2019," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2018," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2017," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed November 14, 2014
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2013, Table 4.11," accessed February 2, 2014
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