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K-State Today

May 26, 2020

Legislative Update: Kansas Legislature adjourns May 21

Submitted by Sue Peterson

The Kansas Legislature returned to the State Capitol on May 21 for the Sine Die session. This was the official last day of the 2020 legislative session. Customarily, this is a ceremonial session with few legislators in attendance. However, due to COVID-19 the Legislature returned and passed items to assist the state and the state's citizens.

Legislation debated and passed by the Legislature:

  • Kansas Economic Recovery Linked Deposit Loan Program, which utilizes $60 million in idle funds and makes the funds available through a loan program to businesses and farmers currently in crisis.
  • COVID-19 liability protections for businesses, health care providers, universities and others, made changes to state emergency powers, and moved approval of expenditure of COVID-19 federal funds to the legislative branch from the executive branch.
  • Passage of multiple education programs: The Promise Act, free ACT exams, Kansas Challenge to Secondary Schools Act, regarding dual and concurrent enrollment for high school students, and the Promise Scholarship Act.
  • Several extensions and changes to property tax statutes.
  • Technical correction to property description authorizing sale of land on the K-State Polytechnic Campus.

Before adjourning on March 19, the Legislature passed a budget for fiscal years 2020 and 2021. The final budget includes the following items for higher education and K-State:

  • Add $11.9 million for block grant to Kansas Board of Regents for university operating costs.
  • Add $2.5 million to the Comprehensive grant program and require a $1:1 match for the new funding.

A listing of this legislation will be available on the K-State Office of Governmental Relations website. Legislation introduced in the 2019 and 2020 Legislative Sessions, not passed by the legislature and enacted into law will be dead following final adjournment on May 21. 

For information and questions regarding the 2020 Legislature, contact Sue Peterson, skp@k-state.edu, or the Office of Government Relations, kstategr@k-state.edu. Phones will be answered at 785-532-6227.