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Committee approves compromise for occupational-licensing review; Senate Bill 229 passes out 5–4
Summary
Senate Bill 229 — reforming legislative oversight and expiration of occupational-licensing requirements — was amended in committee to narrow review of existing licenses, require legislative approval for new or materially changed licensing, and passed out of committee on a 5–4 vote.
The Kansas Senate Commerce Committee approved an amended version of Senate Bill 229 that sets expiration dates for occupational-licensing requirements, narrows legislative review of existing licenses and requires legislative approval for new or materially changed licensing requirements.
Under the committee amendment described by the sponsor, existing statutory or regulatory occupational-licensing requirements would terminate on July 1, 2030, unless the Legislature renews them by joint resolution. Licensing requirements enacted after July 1, 2025, would expire five years after their effective date unless continued by the Legislature. Agency rules that adopt occupational-licensing requirements on or after July 1, 2025, would require prior legislative approval by joint resolution to take effect.
The amendment also removes cities and counties from the scope of the review provision — the sponsor said that municipalities routinely issue licenses (for example, for contractors) and including them would create significant implementation challenges. Agencies would self-report licensing requirements, and the bill outlines a notification and review process involving the Secretary of State and the Reviser of Statutes, referral to relevant legislative committees, presentations by legislative research staff, and committee recommendations to the Legislature.
Sponsor Senator Owens said the amendment was a negotiated compromise developed with the Secretary of State and stakeholders. Senator O'Koshen asked whether the amendment addressed concerns raised by agribusiness communities; Owens indicated it did. Senator Tyson questioned whether the proposal duplicates existing legislative authorization for creating licenses and raised concerns about additional reporting burdens; Owens said he would address specific questions as needed.
After amendment debate, Senator Owens moved to pass SB 229 as amended; the committee approved the bill as amended on a recorded voice/hand vote that the chair announced as "Motion carries five-four."
