April 9, 2019
Legislative Update
The Kansas Legislature wrapped up the regular 2019 session on Friday, April 5. The Legislative Conference Committee on the fiscal year 2019 and 2020 appropriations negotiated all week. The Conference Committee adjourned Thursday evening without sending a bill to the House and Senate for final action. Before adjourning the conference committee did agree on these recommendations for higher education and Kansas State University:
- Add $ 7.5 million for base funding to higher education base funding.
- Add $ 520,000 to K- State Polytechnic to add professional pilot instructors.
- Add $ 650,000 to K- State Research and Extension for K-State Forestry for statewide fire suppression efforts.
- Add the authority to sell the pecan field, the old gym at K-State Polytechnic, and the 4.4 acres next to International Grains Building.
These items had already approved by both the House and Senate:
- $8.9 million to restore the final reductions to higher education from the FY 17 allotment.
- $4.0 million to restore Global Food Systems Grant to K-State.
- $500,000 addition for the Comprehensive Grant program for need-based aid to students.
Legislative Decisions deferred to Omnibus bill discussion:
- Review adding $ 33.0 million to higher education base funding.
- Review the 2.5% state employee COLA.
The Legislature returns May 1 for the Legislative veto session. At this time bills still not finished can be discussed and appropriations decisions will be finalized in the Omnibus Appropriations bill.
The Office of Government Relations hosts bimonthly Legislative Updates. The next update is scheduled for April 12. All updates are brown bag sessions at noon in the K-State Student Union's Cottonwood Room.
For information on the 2019 Kansas Legislature, visit k-state.edu/govrelations.