Kansas State University

Legislative Update

Submitted by Sue Peterson

The Kansas Legislature enters the seventh week of the session. This week marks the last week committees can conduct hearings and pass bills out of committees in the original chamber in which the bills were introduced.

Last week the House Higher Education Budget Committee presented preliminary recommendations to the House Appropriations Committee for their consideration.

House recommendation

1. Add $1,399,566, all SGF, for the National Guard Scholarship program for FY 2022.
2. Add language to the tuition for technical education account that the payments will be made 60 days after the student class start date for FY 2022.
3. Recommend the committee review adding $10 million to the University Operating Grant within the Board of Regents for the universities at omnibus for FY 2022.
4. Request the committee review the governor's 2.5% pay plan for FY 2022.

During committee discussion an amendment was added to the recommendations the universities must refund 50% of tuition for each day a class is provided virtually; and must refund 100% of tuition (not fees) for each day the class time was shortened. This will be considered later in session when the entire appropriations bill is debated in the House Appropriations Committee.

Also last week the House Judiciary Committee heard House Bill 2264, permitting student-athletes at postsecondary educational institutions to receive compensation for the use of their name, image, likeness rights or athletic reputation. K-State Athletics Director Gene Taylor testified in support of the bill.

This week's committee action includes on Monday, Feb. 22, the House Water Committee heard a presentation on K-State Research and Extension's role in water in Kansas from Dan Devlin, director, and Susan Metzger, associate director, Kansas Water Resources Institute. On Thursday, Feb. 25, the House Higher Education Budget Committee will hear from Kansas Board of Regents staff regarding deferred maintenance at the universities.

The Kansas Legislature will provide virtual access to committee meetings and floor action throughout the 2021 legislative session. Links to access the meetings can be found at kslegislature.org/li/.

The Office of Government Relations will again provide weekly Legislative Review Sessions through the remainder of the session to discuss the previous week and upcoming hearings and meetings. The next Legislative Review Session will be at noon Friday, Feb. 26, by Zoom. Zoom details are below. You will be required to sign in with your K-State eID and password to access the meeting.

Join Zoom meeting.
Meeting ID: 971 9078 3478
Passcode: 978743The information can also be obtained by contacting the Government Relations Office at 785-532-6227 or email kstategr@k-state.edu.

Throughout the Kansas legislative session, the Office of Government Relations maintains a list of legislation pertaining to higher education, K-State and state agency operations. To subscribe to the listserv email kstategr@k-state.edu.

If you have any questions regarding the Kansas Legislature, please contact Sue Peterson or Kristin Holt in the Office of Government Relations.