March 24, 2015
Legislative update March 24
Last week was the final week for all committees in the House and the Senate to hear bills in committee. This week the House and Senate will be on the floor Monday through Wednesday debating bills that have been recommended by committees.
Both the House and Senate will debate their respective budget bills on the floor of both chambers this week. The House Appropriations Committee has given preliminary approval to the governor's recommendations for higher education and Kansas State University. The House Committee also has provided authority for the College of Architecture Planning & Design for $60 million in bonds for the addition and renovations of Seaton Hall. The bill also includes $3.7 million annually starting in Fiscal Year 2017 for bond payments for Seaton Hall.
The Senate Ways and Means Committee has made recommendations to delete $2.1 million in each fiscal year from the state general fund for Kansas State University; $949,476 from K-State Research and Extension and $146,270 from the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Once the budget bills have passed both the House and the Senate a conference committee will be appointed to reconcile the differences in both bills. This committee will begin deliberations, however will likely not write a final budget until the Legislature returns for the wrap-up session April 27.
For information on these issues or to sign up for bill tracking on bills involving higher education or state government please send a request to kstategr@k-state.edu.