[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6332584,"mediaKeyId","2306658-0138b07fbbcb6c83bfa4de12299dfab2","parentId",2306658,"title","Committee advances SB 87 after debate over eligibility, caps and reporting for scholarship tax credits","audioSeconds",2047,"startMs",866295,"endMs",2913425,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2306658-0138b07fbbcb6c83bfa4de12299dfab2&start=866&end=2913","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2306658-0138b07fbbcb6c83bfa4de12299dfab2/thumbnail_866295.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6332584/Kansas/Committee-advances-SB-87-after-debate-over-eligibility-caps-and-reporting-for-scholarship-tax-credits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332584-cf9c128d783e6f7f1b1927d0f44a7bca/orig.mp4?Expires=1770567929&Signature=TpT6s6ghI5lVLN~yDjLMMc7CKpM1PktfUhHnSiBiYPA9bsQg9gCfqAIrT9zg386CS9-wLMg0YMV~cZO3K5yr33RRCJYy87ZqbLAwGe7wvzLsDOw3S6l-iMUdeOrylFIfNNFkuAxyfms1xfbIj4R~Dtat5bs9vTs9Q5BL2eCfE9LLelauGXRILNS-FWuAcbKb8w3FCMp8YBdyKInxvMroL1MiIUuIv1w3-nI48D2EVMH3mm4llGonzaG-kJj86aTNGqxAPjpwoS6UW7lMJGvQYB98SqV-p6-l63FboCigYnSBUdADba0vX9IYhbTFJuJqd12TqpYt6mpejyW8SR3QXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kansas Legislature","date","2025-02-13T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 87, a bill to amend provisions of the tax credit for low-income student scholarship programs, was debated at length in the Kansas Senate Education Committee before the committee passed the bill out favorably as amended.

Revisor Tamara Lawrence summarized the bill’s principal changes: it would expand student eligibility, require a period for the State Board of Education to verify student eligibility to scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs), increase certain tax-credit amounts and raise aggregate tax-credit limits under specified conditions. On an amendment by Senator Thomas (explained by Lawrence), the committee considered increasing the annual allowable credits from $10 million to $15 million and raising the aggregate credit trigger from $20 million to $25 million beginning in tax years after 2025. Lawrence said: “This would increase that to $15,000,000. Additionally, the bill would provide that aggregate credit limit of $20,000,000 This would raise that to $25,000,000 and that would begin, starting in tax years commencing after 2025.”

A proposal from Senator Sykes to add reporting requirements failed on a division vote. Sykes described the amendment as adding statutory reporting so the legislature could see whether SGOs were meeting the existing requirement that they disperse at least 90% of contributions within 36 months. She said past reports showed SGOs were not always meeting that standard and argued the legislature needed per-organization data on amounts contributed, amounts expended, numbers of applicants determined eligible, and counts of at-risk students served. The motion to adopt Sykes’s reporting amendment was seconded by Senator Gossage and the motion failed 4–5 after a division vote.

Committee members also discussed discrepancies between reports from the State Department of Education (KSDE) and the Department of Revenue. Senator Sykes cited a report showing contributions of about $7.8 million in 2024 with $5.5 million expended; Revisor Lawrence said there is “a discrepancy between the Kansas State Department of Education report and the Department of Revenue report,” and that the Department of Revenue numbers showing $8.3 million are considered the official figures while the agencies work to reconcile differences.

Members debated eligibility criteria. The bill keeps a pathway tied to 250 percent of the federal poverty level for some students but would add additional eligibility categories (for example, children of emergency medical service providers, firefighters or law-enforcement officers) to the statute; Lawrence clarified that the poverty-level qualification would not apply to those enumerated categories. Lawmakers also discussed the statutory definition of “at risk” (cited by the reviser as both the free/reduced lunch definition for finance purposes and the broader KSA 72-51-53a list of criteria). Research staff provided context on income thresholds for free and reduced-price lunch.

Committee members voiced differing policy views. Supporters, including Senator Gossage and Senator Thomas, argued the program helps low-income students who may need alternatives to public school settings. Opponents, including Senator Sykes and Senator Petty, raised concerns that the program has expanded beyond its original intent, questioned accountability and warned of budgetary impacts on the State General Fund.

The committee approved a technical amendment from the reviser to strike extraneous phrasing from the bill title and ultimately voted to pass SB 87 out of committee as amended. Senator Thomas moved passage; Senator Rose seconded. Senator Sykes and several other senators recorded votes of no on the final motion. The transcript records the failed reporting amendment’s final division result as “Motion fails 4 to 5.”

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Committee on Education 02/13/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 87, which would expand eligibility and increase caps for the low-income student scholarship tax credit program, passed out of the Kansas Senate Education Committee after extended debate over reporting, compliance and fiscal effects.","taxTitle","Education, Standing, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Kansas","taxId",18815,"location","Kansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6332590,"Committee approves expansion of Kansas Promise scholarship program to more institutions",135,728885,864715,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2306658-0138b07fbbcb6c83bfa4de12299dfab2&start=728&end=864","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2306658-0138b07fbbcb6c83bfa4de12299dfab2/thumbnail_728885.jpg","/articles/6332590/Kansas/Committee-approves-expansion-of-Kansas-Promise-scholarship-program-to-more-institutions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332590-ca22f0bb30db8db554ef2e72674b9e98/orig.mp4?Expires=1770567929&Signature=lnXXM8K4yVNUkEKvyyXVQfwUN8qSacVbXHGkT2V1JLjqKB9nFWkQgnrzl8w-VQKJ362J9bAce53tnq2R2U0WIBxkmlmJtg-CpKjUbJEyNlwFskTRXBPAA~ARH6te2pG~VgppWCOn3ccrAIVCAOn9GI5G6IeVlC9c7A9Nic-U58t4Ix6D9xkt3Hh-qnAGeOqC6k2s~CeIiV2G~gfXXBSLxaGb1i0gsMhBYrzcVcxrJYbMbsmCmGGnm1RygCVceSu~5RzrmFSwGWh1S17nmhQpGZDXMCdMRiF1aZTMsniG7GIhVA-2f8RCNhhIdt0NJ4u83CAOQLLa-KX2YB11xI15dA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 44, which would amend the Kansas Promise scholarship program to broaden the range of postsecondary institutions eligible to participate, was presented to the Senate Education Committee and passed favorably.

Revisor Tamara Lawrence summarized the bill as one that “would amend the Kansas Promise scholarship program to expand the post secondary educational institutions that are available to participate in that program.” After a brief discussion, Senator Thomas moved the bill and Senator Murphy seconded the motion. Senator Kosage said she would not support the expansion, saying the Promise Act has grown beyond original expectations and expressing concern that adding institutions and majors could stretch the program’s intent and funding. Senator Patty said the Promise scholarship has met goals but noted the bill does not change the existing cap, which could make it harder for schools already providing Promise scholarships to continue.

The committee voted to pass SB 44 out of committee favorably.

","The Senate Education Committee voted to pass Senate Bill 44, which would expand the postsecondary institutions eligible under the Kansas Promise scholarship program. One senator voiced opposition citing cost and scope concerns.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6332596,"Senate committee narrows private-school tax credit, removes education-department review",380,328000,708640,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2306658-0138b07fbbcb6c83bfa4de12299dfab2&start=328&end=708","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2306658-0138b07fbbcb6c83bfa4de12299dfab2/thumbnail_328000.jpg","/articles/6332596/Kansas/Senate-committee-narrows-private-school-tax-credit-removes-education-department-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332596-14e568adbb34b43425df8d4900d6471b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770567929&Signature=NxetOGHVEoYX4N-smRmYq2FO5DS5G4A8x4BnTzJtu~h8WX-tViCeLoDAFwMnPyuwBYiyFXtsHJEYllhuM3mJNWc0qcd0uPvlhkqAspZfFFwhwg1N1SzBO~9zfb9BTWuKtHwccH76piCcsU~Gz3mhh~cxJlvIj0v49OZMr6zsbKRXI2V2Iz73xXjOZnSKRoSszirTSKK-gLLDap9vbU-2yHK2m8suRVcWDt~b1kOyiThtq3ttGSejjermXfVNNwWRv9Yv16HeiFDjuJr3JJ~a0-SodA4iF000-7EwhpGFauPmZh3liFVIev5rji9ZOZI6QDm4yHkkyhczZ3ye5hYp3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 75, which would expand state tax credits related to private school attendance, was amended and passed out of the Kansas Senate Education Committee on a voice vote after several members raised questions about verification and accountability.

The committee adopted an amendment from Senator Shane that changes the credit language so the award would be “an amount equal to the expenditures directly attributable to the cost of tuition and other related costs of attending the private institution,” with $8,000 and $4,000 remaining as maximum amounts. Revisor Tamara Lawrence summarized the amendment, saying, “as the bill is currently drafted, those tax credit would be for $8,000 or $4,000. What this balloon would do is it would be an amount equal to the expenditures directly attributable to the cost of tuition and other related costs of attending the private institution.”

Lawrence and Senator Shane told the committee that the measure does not create a separate proof process beyond typical tax documentation: the credit would be claimed on tax returns similar to a charitable contribution and “you would claim it on your taxes as you do a charitable contribution. Make sure you keep your documentation in case of an audit,” Lawrence said. Senator Petty asked how claims would be verified, noting some private schools receive in-kind support through churches; Senator Shane replied there would be no additional proof required beyond what is claimed on tax forms and indicated he has a related amendment to address verification.

A second amendment by Senator Shane struck language in the bill that would have allowed the Department of Revenue to consult with the State Board of Education. Senator Sykes warned that removing the Department of Education from that process could make it harder to determine whether expenditures were education-related, citing examples from other states where credits were abused. Senator Shane replied that fraudulent use would be subject to criminal prosecution.

The committee then voted to pass SB 75 out of committee as amended. Senator Shane moved the final motion and Senator Rose seconded. Several senators asked to be recorded as opposed: Senator Sykes, Senator Argebrite and Senator Petty asked to be noted as no on the record. Senator Sykes had earlier voiced opposition to the bill on equity grounds, saying the credit expands public support for private schooling and may not benefit low-income families as intended.

The amendments adopted: (1) limit the credit to actual tuition-related expenditures up to the statutory maximums, and (2) remove the clause allowing Department of Revenue consultation with the State Board of Education. Committee members discussed verification, audit procedures, and eligibility for homeschool families (homeschooling families remain eligible for up to $4,000 if they choose to claim it).

The committee’s action sends SB 75 to the next stage of the legislative process with the changes adopted in committee.

","The Kansas Senate Education Committee amended Senate Bill 75 to limit tax credits to documented tuition-related expenditures and to remove a provision allowing the Department of Revenue to consult with the State Department of Education. The bill passed out of committee as amended.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances SB 87 after debate over eligibility, caps and reporting for scholarship tax credits

Committee approves expansion of Kansas Promise scholarship program to more institutions

Senate committee narrows private-school tax credit, removes education-department review