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Senate committee advances bill to make Kansas Highway Patrol majors unclassified
Summary
The Senate Committee on Government Efficiency voted to advance House Bill 2261, which clarifies that Kansas Highway Patrol majors are in the unclassified service under the Kansas Civil Service Act and preserves their return-to-rank permanent status; the measure was placed on the committee's consent calendar.
The Senate Committee on Government Efficiency voted to advance House Bill 2261 after a hearing and moved to place the measure on the committee's consent calendar. The bill clarifies that majors in the Kansas Highway Patrol are part of the unclassified service under the Kansas Civil Service Act and specifies that an officer returning from superintendent, assistant superintendent or major will return to a permanent rank not lower than the rank held when first appointed to that leadership post; the bill's provisions would take effect July 1, 2025.
The clarification matters because language in KSA 74-21-13 left uncertainty about whether the rank of major was classified or unclassified, a distinction that affects application of the Highway Patrol career progression salary plan and other employment protections. "House bill 2,261, would provide that the high highway patrol majors are would be within the unclassified service under the Kansas veil service act and provide a permanent status rank, that highway patrol superintendent, assistant superintendent, and majors would be returned to after holding such positions," David Weese, reviser, told the committee during an overview.
Merle Bridal, Executive Officer, Kansas Highway Patrol, told the committee the change would codify current practice and reduce ambiguity. "The Kansas Highway Patrol appreciates the opportunity to provide testimony supporting house bill 22 60 61," Bridal said. He told the committee the ambiguity "has resulted in litigation and uncertainty regarding whether majors are eligible for the Kansas Highway Patrol career progression salary plan." Bridal said KHP currently employs six majors and that all six "have voluntarily accepted an unclassified employment status upon appointment." He added the bill "does not impact the protections afforded to the superintendent, assistant superintendent, or majors should their appointed positions end," and that the agency consulted with the Office of Personnel Services in the Department of Administration when drafting the language.
Committee members questioned what being classified versus unclassified means in practice. "Is there any advantage to being one or the other?" Senator Schulz asked. Bridal responded that classified status provides appeal rights for termination and discipline under the Kansas Civil Service Act, but that the bill would clarify how promotions to major affect an officer's status and ensure return-to-rank protections.
With no neutral or opponent testimony on record, Senator Thompson moved that the committee pass House Bill 2261 favorably for passage and place it on the consent calendar; Senator Thomas seconded. The committee decided by voice vote to advance the bill. The hearing record also notes that the House passed the bill by a 118-1 vote on Feb. 19, 2025.
The committee chair announced scheduling changes for upcoming meetings before adjourning.
