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Committee approves fee-funded budget for Board of Mortuary Arts; members ask for details on complaints
Summary
The Social Services Budget Committee’s recommendations for the Kansas Board of Mortuary Arts were adopted; members noted the board’s healthy ending balance and requested more detail on the nature of complaints handled by the board.
The House appropriations subcommittee on Social Services adopted the budget committee’s recommendation for the Kansas Board of Mortuary Arts for fiscal years 2025–2027, accepting an all-fee funded budget and stable staffing levels.
Chairman Bueller reported the board requested $346,000 for FY2025 from the Mortuary Arts Fee Fund with 3 FTEs; the Legislative Budget Committee and the House Social Services Budget Committee concurred with the agency’s revised estimate and made no adjustments. Bueller noted the board’s healthy ending balance of $123,468 on page 9 of the detailed summary and said the balance had declined since 2023.
Representative Walsinger asked why the board maintained the balance and suggested returning excess fee revenue to the regulated community if reserves exceed needs. Members asked for more detail about the complaints the board investigates — examples discussed included unreasonable or unexpected funeral costs, allegations of unethical conduct, negligence and breach of contract. Bueller said complaint totals appeared to be trending down and agreed to request more detailed complaint data from the board.
For FY2026 and FY2027 the board’s increases reflect a lease renewal at Jayhawk Tower and related rent increases; the committee approved the recommended budgets and forwarded them as presented.
