House Bill 2402 would create Blue Ribbon Commission to study Kansas higher education

House Bill 2402 would create a 17-member Blue Ribbon Commission on Higher Education to study long-term goals and make recommendations to the Kansas Legislature.

The bill brief, delivered by Chris Wagner, assistant reviser in the Office of the Reviser of Statutes, said the commission would include six legislative members — three appointed from the Kansas House and three from the Kansas Senate — and that “House Bill 2402 creates the Blue Ribbon Commission on Higher Education.” Wagner said the chair would be jointly appointed by the Speaker and the Senate President and that nine members would constitute a quorum. The bill requires a preliminary report by Jan. 12, 2026, and a final report by Jan. 20, 2027, and the bill’s provisions would take effect July 1, 2025.

A bipartisan set of witnesses described the commission as a venue to examine a wide range of issues. Representative Ken Rogers, a former higher education budget chair, said the commission would “finally put the legislature back in charge of where we’re heading with higher education” and framed the measure as a structural, “blank slate” review of institutions ranging from research universities to community and technical colleges. Heather Morgan, executive director of the Kansas Association of Community Colleges, testified the community colleges supported the bill and said they were “excited to be a part of the task force,” noting committee members had consulted with them during drafting.

Blake Flanders, president and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents, testified neutrally and offered assistance and data. Flanders noted past state conversations about consolidating technical schools and said some affiliations and mergers have occurred since 2006. He told the committee that the system has seen gains in graduation rates and that the Regents’ office would support the commission’s work with staff and information as requested.

Committee members asked about representation of faculty; Wagner said appointments made by the chair of the State Board of Regents could include faculty but the bill does not explicitly require a named faculty seat. Other questions addressed goals such as enrollment strategy, affordability and the role of athletics versus academics.

If enacted, the commission would be staffed as requested by the State Board of Regents, Legislative Research, and Legislative Administrative Services, and members would be reimbursed for expenses by the State Board of Regents. The bill focuses on study and recommendation rather than immediate statutory change; the committee closed the hearing after testimony and questions.

The committee did not take a final vote on House Bill 2402 during the hearing; the item was presented in a bill briefing and was left for further committee action.