A panel of top lawmakers on Tuesday approved 23 days for special and standing committees during the coming months, almost two dozen fewer than had been requested.
The number of meeting days approved brings to 72 the number of all interim meeting days that have been approved this year once added to the 49 interim meeting days that have already been approved for joint and other committees.
The number is down from the 82 interim committee days approved last year.
Here’s what was approved on Tuesday by the Legislative Coordinating Council along with a look at submitted requests for each committee.
Special committees
and days approved
Special committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications: Four days requested, one approved. The LCC limited the committee to studying emerging nuclear technologies and their applicability to Kansas. The committee had wanted to review transmission line planning by the Southwest Power Pool, including the 2026 Integrated Transmission Plan and potential high-voltage system enhancements as well as ongoing cost allocation and regulatory initiatives under consideration by SPP and its stakeholder groups. The committee also wanted to review developments related to line siting, data centers and energy storage projects across the state.
Special Committee on the the Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services: One day requested, one approved. The committee would review the legal framework for the Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services as well as the board’s rules and regulations related to the licensing, certification and oversight of emergency medical service providers in the state. The committee would evaluate funding mechanisms, program effectiveness, workforce challenges, and any relevant state laws and policies impacting emergency medical services in Kansas.
Senate Select Committee on Local Elections: Two days requested, none approved. The committee wanted to review local school district elections. “Currently, Kansas allows school districts to choose between different election models, which can confuse candidates and voters. Before considering reforms, it’s important to examine the existing options, how districts can pivot between options, which school districts use which model, and potential ways to modernize or improve the appropriate statutes. Given the matter’s complexity, this issue is better suited for in-depth interim study than review during a regular session.” The committee also wanted to examine local government advocacy in local ballot questions. “This past session, legislation was proposed to regulate how local governments promote their own ballot questions, such as bond issues or sales tax increases. This committee would study reform options and recommend changes to ensure taxpayer funds aren’t used for advocacy, allowing ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ campaigns on such ballot questions to compete without government tipping the sales. In order to ensure the legislation accomplishes its goals while avoiding unintended consequences, this issue is well-suited for interim study.”
Special Committee on Sexually Violent Predator Treatment Program Reform: Two days requested, one day approved. The interim committee would review the Kansas Sexually Violent Predator Act, the constitutional and statutory requirements of any individual who is a potential or actual subject of proceedings under the law as well as the control, care and treatment of any individual under the law.
Special Committee on Rental Housing: Two days requested, none approved. “Several legislators in both chambers would like the opportunity to examine new policy options regarding landlord-tenant relationships and the most important issues impacting the affordability, livability, and fairness of rental housing.” Senate Majority Leader Chas Blasi that there have already been bills passed addressing rental property and tenants’ rights. He said there have already been numerous hearings held the last several years on this topic. He said the decision not to allocate days for rental housing was about cost and driving down the number of interim committee days, which can cost $10,000 to $15,000 a day.
House Committee on Government Oversight: Four days requested, four approved.
Special Committee on Statewide Trade Licensing: Three days requested, two approved. The committee would study the best way to license electricians and other trades on a statewide basis and work toward reciprocity with other states.
Special Committee on State Crypto Policies: Two days requested, none approved. The committee wanted to educate and develop policy for governing cryptocurrency in Kansas. The request pointed to one bill from last session that would have given the state treasurer the opportunity to use unclaimed digital assets to create a digital reserve fund, but it failed to make it out of committee. The request also noted another bill that would have regulated political donations made in cryptocurrency but didn’t pass last session.
Vehicle Services Modernization Task Force: One day requested, one day approved. The committee will evaluate vehicle services related to vehicle registrations and titling provided by the Division of Vehicles, county treasurers and contractors of the Division of Vehicles. It will make recommendations for methods to modernize those services, including improvements to fee structures and payments and the technology needed to administer those services.
Special Committee on Application and Eligibility for Public Assistance Programs: Two days requested, two days approved. The panel would study the federal and state eligibility requirements for various public assistance programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Child Care Assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance Program, as well as the overall application and renewal process. It also would study what other states have done to simplify their eligibility, enrollment and renewal processes for public assistance programs.
Special Committee on Statutes Regarding Land Adjacent to Cities: Three days requested, none approved. The committee wanted to study and make recommendations regarding authority for annexation by cities and law that authorizes a city planning commission to apply city subdivision requirements generally within three miles of city limits. Last session, there was legislation that would have established new limits on unilateral annexation by cities. Lawmakers also have considered bills that would have removed statutory authorization for applying city subdivision requirements outside of a city.
Special Committee on 340B program: Two days requested, two days approved. Committee wants to study the 340B Drug Discount Program that’s been a source of friction between health care providers and pharmaceutical companies. The committee will “review studies and reports to identify lessons learned and what changes could be implemented at a state level to facilitate the overarching program goal of stretching resources to reach more eligible patients and provide more comprehensive services.” The committee is also intended to allow legislators to hear from hospitals, drug manufacturers and patients to better understand the program, the challenges it faces and it effect on health care in Kansas.
Special Committee on Assessment and Taxation: Four days requested, none approved. The committee wanted to examine options for improving the performance and efficiency of the state’s appraisal system by centralizing certain functions. The committee also wanted to consider a constitutional amendment limiting the growth of assessed valuations and review exemptions for sales and property taxes, among other things.
Special Committee on the State Fire Code: One day requested, one day approved. The committee wants to study the differences between the currently-enforced 2006 fire code and adopting the 2024 fire code. The committee wants to learn how adopting the 2024 fire code would affect housing costs and the Kansas economy. Gov. Laura Kelly this week separately signed an executive order creating a task force charged with with updating Kansas’ fire code to align with modern, nationally recognized safety standards that provide advanced safety measures.
Special Committee on Insurance: One day requested, none approved. Committee wanted to study the municipal insurance benefits pool structure governed by the Kansas Municipal Group-Funded Pool Act. Last session, the Senate financial institutions committee heard about legislation that would have established the Kansas Municipal Self-Funded Medical and Prescription Drug Act and updated the existing legal framework to eliminate barriers for the operation of municipal health insurance pools.
Special Committee on Protecting Children from Online Harm: Three days requested, one approved. This request stems from the App Store Accountability Act that was considered by the Legislature last year but didn’t pass. “The interim committee would conduct its work with a goal of producing actionable recommendations to protect the online interactions of children and to improve the provisions of SB 372 by addressing concerns that have been raised about this bill.
Education Fund Task Force. Two days requested, two approved. The task force will end up meeting eight days overall. The task force has already met four days since the legislative session ended and there was an additional four days planned for next month. The two days approved on Tuesday are in addition to two days that the commission hasn’t already met.
Special Committee on the State Budget: Five days requested, five days approved. The committee is charged with developing state budget recommendations for fiscal years 2027, 2028 and 2029 for state agencies. The recommendation will serve as a starting point for legislative deliberations on the budget next year.
House Committee on Water: One day requested, none approved. The committee has been monitoring the injection dredging p0roject at Tuttle Creek Reservoir and wants to observe the dredging in real time.
Joint committees approved previously
Administrative Rules and Regulations: Approved four days, requested six days.
Child Welfare System Oversight: Approved four, requested five.
Corrections and Juvenile Justice Oversight: Approved three, requested three.
Fiduciary Financial Institutions Oversight: Approved one, requested one.
Robert G. Bethell KanCare Oversight: Approved four, requested five.
Information Technology: Approved four, requested six.
Kansas Security: Approved three, requested three.
Legislative Budget: Approved four, requested six.
Pensions, Investments and Benefits: Approved one, requested two.
Special claims against the state: Approved four, requested four.
State Building Construction: Approved six, requested five.
Other committees approved earlier
Capitol Preservation Committee: one approved, one requested
Senate Committee on Confirmation Oversight: three approved, three requested
Education Funding Task Force: two approved: Two approved, 14 requested
Water Program Task Force: Five approved, five requested
Study Committee for Kansas Highway Patrol Capital Projects. Two days that were recommended were added to the Joint committee on State Building Construction, which is now approved for six days.
