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Committee restores EDIF funding for Wildlife and Parks after debate; earlier smaller add-on fails
Summary
After debate and multiple motions, the committee recommended restoring roughly $690,734 from the Economic Development Initiative Fund to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (covering operating lines and specialty license allocations), and earlier a smaller $150,000 EDIF addition failed on the floor.
The Agriculture and Natural Resources committee reviewed multiple adjustments proposed to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks budget, focusing on Economic Development Initiative Fund (EDIF) allocations. After initial amendments failed, the committee ultimately agreed to a recommendation to restore roughly $690,734 in EDIF funding for FY2026, covering operating expenditures, park operating lines, and a line for National Guard and veterans' licenses.
Committee staff explained the sequence of changes: the Legislative Budget Committee initially deleted about $690,734 from EDIF; the House Appropriations Committee reinserted $350,000 of that amount; and the Senate Ways and Means committee's position was to delete EDIF entirely, leaving zero EDIF in the Senate position for FY2026. Mr. Drury, committee staff, told members that as introduced House Bill 2,007 showed roughly $4.224 million in EDIF for Wildlife and Parks previously, and the Senate position had reduced that to zero.
A proposal by Senator Alley to add $150,000 of EDIF for operating expenditures drew several objections. Committee members asked for specifics about what the operating funds would pay for; the sponsor replied the requested amount was for general operating expenses. Opponents cited concerns about EDIF use for administrative salaries and said the fund had been "abused" in past years. That $150,000 suggestion was put to a vote and failed.
Senator Francisco later moved to restore the larger $690,734 that the Legislative Budget Committee had deleted. Mr. Drury outlined where the money would be allocated on the department's budget summary: about $292,000 for EDIF operating expenditures, approximately $398,000 for EDIF park operating expenditures, and a smaller amount for National Guard and veterans' licenses. After discussion the committee adopted the recommendation to add the roughly $690,734 back into the committee report by unanimous consent.
Committee members noted the department is largely fee-funded and that EDIF derives from lottery revenues. Several members urged careful oversight of EDIF allocations, citing the need to preserve one-time funding as one-time and to ensure money supports park maintenance and tourism-related economic development.
Ending: The committee moved on after finalizing the Wildlife and Parks recommendation and preparing to consider the next agency.
