Kansas Noxious Weed Law Mandates Statewide

K.S.A. 2-1314 declares specified plants noxious, including musk thistle, Canada thistle, field bindweed, johnsongrass, sericea lespedeza, kudzu, leafy spurge, bur ragweed, pignut, quackgrass, and Russian knapweed. K.S.A. 2-1315 imposes a statutory duty on every person owning or supervising land to control these weeds and prevent seed production. Counties appoint weed supervisors under K.S.A. 2-1318 who may enter property after notice, treat infestations, and assess costs as tax liens. Failure to comply allows the supervisor to perform work and bill the landowner with a 25% surcharge plus interest under K.S.A. 2-1319.

Landowners who fail to control noxious weeds after written notice face county-performed treatment with costs assessed against the property tax bill, plus a 25% penalty surcharge and interest.