TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – A newly created Kansas House committee will focus on water issues, and the chamber’s Republican leaders have taken their first step toward redrawing the state’s political boundaries. House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., ásaid in a statement that one goal of the chamber’s Republicans is “protecting our state’s agricultural roots for the long haul.” The Water Committee will be led by Republican Rep. Ron Highland of Wamego. The state constitution requires a redrawing of Kansas’ political boundaries once every 10 years based on the federal census, and that’s due to happen in 2022. House GOP leaders appointed a 12-member Redistricting Committee led by Republican Rep. Chris Croft of Overland Park.