Senate committee advances Commerce budget with reappropriations, EDIF reallocation and vacancy‑lapse proviso

The Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday advanced the Kansas Department of Commerce budget for fiscal 2027 after approving several amendments that reallocate existing funds and add targeted program dollars.

Senator Owens, the committee vice chair, moved to reappropriate previously approved funds — including $34,000,000 for MRO contracts, $500,000 for home‑based childcare tied to 2024’s Senate Bill 28 and $50,000 for Advantage Kansas — and to add enhancements such as a $1,000,000 towns grant program. "My first is to add the $34,000,000 for the MROs," Owens said when introducing the proposal. The committee divided the question so members could vote separately on reappropriations and enhancements; the reappropriation portion passed by voice vote.

The committee also approved the $1,000,000 towns grant enhancement. Committee discussion clarified the grant would target small communities, with the printed materials indicating a population threshold and a maximum award per community of $10,000. "The award to any one community would be $10,000," the chair noted during discussion.

A separate amendment redirected EDIF (Economic Development Investment Fund) dollars away from the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission and toward public…