Kansas Commerce budget reviewed as lawmakers question reappropriations, FTEs and program authority

At a legislative committee hearing, analysts from Legislative Research and the Kansas Department of Commerce outlined the agency's fiscal 2025 and 2026 budget proposals and answered senators' questions about reappropriations, staffing levels and several programs that the Legislature has targeted for reduction or restoration.

The agency's FY2025 request totals about $290.1 million, including $59.2 million from the State General Fund (SGF), a 4.6% increase above the approved amount, Legislative Research senior fiscal analyst Shardae Kane told the committee. Kane walked the committee through the agency's numbered adjustments, citing reappropriations, ARPA-funded projects, and EDIF items among the largest changes.

Why it matters: the Commerce Department manages business recruitment, workforce services, broadband and tourism programs whose funding and staffing levels affect economic development, grant programs and broadband deployment across Kansas. Several senators pressed for detail on which programs are statutory, which were added as one‑time enhancements, and how reappropriated funds would be spent or returned to the SGF if not carried forward.

Key budget figures and committee actions

- FY2025: agency request $290,100,000 (including $59,200,000 SGF). Kane said this is an increase of $12,800,000 (4.6%) over the approved amount. Major FY2025 changes she listed include a carryover of roughly $300,000 SGF in reappropriations; EDIF reappropriations of about $5,900,000; deletion of about $32,900,000 in ARPA-related projects (including $6,000,000 SGF) described as largely one-time FY2024 projects; and a $13,200,000 deletion of special revenue EDIF funds tied to Apex projects.

- The Legislative Budget Committee (LBC) recommended deleting 7.5 FTE positions that the agency had requested (the request included 7.5 additional FTEs). Kane said the LBC also deleted $5,900,000 intended as reappropriations; the House blue shorthand later showed a partial restoration and…