Joint Committee recommends HB 2007 budget items for multiple state agencies; large correctional proposal highlighted

The Joint Committee on State Building Construction on Wednesday recommended House Bill 2007 budget allocations for a long list of state agencies for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 and approved each recommendation by voice vote. Committee members also discussed capital requests from the Department of Administration and a major capital proposal from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

The committee voted—by voice, without a roll call—to recommend HB 2007 funding packages for the State Historical Society, Board of Regents and its universities and medical center (including the University of Kansas and University of Kansas Medical Center), Wichita State University, Kansas State University and related entities (veterinary medical center, extension and agricultural research), Fort Hays State University, Emporia State University, Pittsburg State University, and other listed institutions for both FY2025 and FY2026 where noted. Members also approved a recommendation to permit debt payments for the Kansas State Extension Systems and Agricultural Research Program for FY2025.

Why this matters: the committee’s recommendations feed into the Legislature’s final appropriation process and set funding priorities for campus repairs, capital projects and a handful of major projects that would require separate debt or bond actions if pursued.

Key details from the meeting

- Curtis House purchase: Jennifer Light, fiscal analyst for the State Historical Society, told the committee that the $300,000 for the Curtis House purchase “was included in an omnibus bill last year for the 300,000 SGF,” and that the society is finishing title work and moving to complete…