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Senate adopts multiple conference reports: fireworks changes, health-care provider revisions, and a water task force
Summary
On March 26 the Kansas Senate adopted several conference committee reports, including Senate Bill 199 (fireworks and Fallen Firefighters Memorial), House Bill 2039 (health-care provider licensing and EMS changes), and a task force on water policy (Senate substitute for House Bill 2172). Vote tallies were recorded for each measure.
The Kansas Senate on March 26, 2025 adopted a package of conference committee reports, approving measures on fireworks sales and memorial designation, health-care provider licensing updates, and the creation of a water program task force.
Senate Bill 199: Conference sponsor Senator Owens described SB199 as allowing year-round fireworks sales under certain conditions, replacing the existing Kansas Firefighter Memorial advisory committee with a Kansas Firefighter Memorial Council, and designating the Fallen Firefighters Memorial adjacent to the Kansas Firefighters Museum in Wichita as the state's official memorial. Senator Titus (Potawatomi) explained his “no” vote, saying he opposed year-round fireworks sales though he strongly supports the memorial and the museum. The clerk's tally recorded 28 votes in favor and 12 opposed.
House Bill 2039: The conference report for HB2039 consolidates several provider bills affecting physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists who work with home-health agencies, allows maternity centers to participate in the Health Care Stabilization Fund, and adjusts emergency medical services staffing rules to allow an ambulance crew in small communities to operate with one EMT and a driver under notified conditions. The conference presenter said the EMS amendment reflected a mutual agreement with the Board of Emergency Medical Services. The bill passed unanimously on final action, with a recorded vote of 40 in favor and none opposed.
Senate substitute for House Bill 2172: The conference report creates a 16-member water program task force and a five-member water planning work group charged with studying and recommending water policy and funding to the legislature, required to report in January 2026 and January 2027, with the task force set to sunset July 1, 2026. The presenter noted the makeup and reporting schedule. The measure passed on final action (recorded vote: 40 in favor, none opposed).
The clerk read titles for the listed bills and the chamber conducted roll-call votes on final action for each conference report. The Senate also appointed conferees to other pending business and announced committee and caucus meetings for the following day.
