Appropriations committee approves series of provisos on water, higher ed, judiciary, child advocacy, ARPA and school safety

The House Appropriations Committee approved a package of provisos and budget adjustments covering water fund reappropriations, economic development, higher education, judicial training, child advocacy, ARPA allocations and school safety.

Water Office and reappropriation language Representative Mosier moved language authorizing the Kansas Water Office to reappropriate unencumbered balances (above $100 as of 06/01/2026) for three new State Water Plan Fund lines — independent program evaluation, the John Redmond reservoir hydro suction pilot project, and water planning and project development — into FY2027. Members noted the lines are new and balances are uncertain; the proviso passed by voice vote.

EDIF adjustments and new dairy facility at K‑State Mosher described EDIF changes deleting $200,000 from rural opportunity zones (leaving $800,000), $500,000 from the Sunflower Summer program (leaving $2.5M), and $450,000 from public broadcasting grants (leaving $800,000) for FY2027. She also presented a three‑party financing approach for a new Kansas State University dairy facility: the state, K‑State and industry would each contribute $5M per year for three years (total $45M) and K‑State will lead design and phased construction.

Judicial department and child advocacy funding Representative Walsinger’s proviso adjusted limits on judicial conference/training expenditures for FY2027 (members said the current approved amount of $4,000 was insufficient to cover needed conferences). Representative Estes requested additional language and the committee approved funding and language to increase prevention education for child advocacy centers citing a reported 158% increase in prevention education use and 30% more forensic interviews last year.

KDHE/KDAD earmarks and community support waiver Representative Carpenter moved technical changes to KDHE budget (voter registration check language) and an adjustment moving $750,000 administrative savings back into a community support waiver fund for DD/DD waiver financial management services; members supported both changes and the motions passed.

HERO Act pilot and BVLOS / K6 ARPA allocations Representative Anderson’s HERO Act proviso established a $1,000,000 SGF pilot to reimburse duty‑related trauma evaluation and treatment for firefighters, law enforcement, and EMS providers (evaluation and treatment only; diagnosis must meet DSM‑5‑TR standards via licensed psychiatrist or psychologist; up to 12 sessions reimbursed). Anderson also moved $2,000,000 in ARPA funds to expand infrastructure for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) service volumes and $5,000,000 in ARPA funds as an initial contribution toward a projected ~$34M state obligation to renovate the statewide interoperable communication system (K6). Staff reported roughly $219,000,000 of ARPA funds remain unspent at the time of the hearing.

Safe and Secure Schools grants Representative Getz moved to add $5,000,000 SGF to reestablish Safe and Secure Schools grants under the Kansas State Department of Education (moved recently to the Attorney General’s office); members agreed to a friendly amendment to prioritize one‑time startup costs and first hires (rather than ongoing operating costs). The motion passed by voice vote.

Outcomes and procedure All motions described above were adopted by voice vote in committee. The chair told members the committee will resume the next morning at 9:00 a.m. to finish remaining written amendments for House Bill 2434 and to address a governor budget adjustment related to the lottery.