Wichita museum designated as Kansas Railroad Hall of Fame site under bill advanced by committee

The Committee on Transportation heard proponent testimony and advanced House Bill 2607, which would create the Kansas Railroad Hall of Fame and designate the Great Plains Transportation Museum in Wichita as its official site and repository.

Chris, committee counsel, summarized the bill’s key provisions: findings and legislative intent, designation of the Great Plains Transportation Museum as the repository, establishment of a selection committee with ex officio and governor‑appointed members, public meeting requirements, nomination procedures, committee powers to accept donations and create displays, and required annual induction ceremonies. The bill sets the effective date as July 1, 2026.

Lon Smith, executive director of the Great Plains Transportation Museum, testified as the first in‑person proponent. Smith said the museum seeks to grow programs and space and that being designated the Hall of Fame would boost tourism and help fund a capital campaign. "We are not gonna come back to the legislature and ask for money ever, period," Smith said, adding he already had private funding lined up and expects the designation to help the museum expand collections and programming.

Committee members asked whether other locations were considered and how nominations would be handled; Smith said the idea originated with the museum and that nominations would be accepted from the public with a nomination form drafted by the selection committee. Written proponent testimony from the League of Kansas Municipalities, the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Kansas Railroad Association was placed in the record; no opposition testimony was offered.

The hearing was closed and the committee moved on to other items on the agenda.