Senate Ways and Means hears KDOT revised FY2026 request; committee concurs

Unidentified presenter told the Senate Ways and Means Committee that the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requested a revised FY2026 estimate of about $2.3 billion, all from special revenue funds, an increase of roughly $662.5 million (39.26%) above the previously approved amount. The presenter said the added costs are largely for construction programs (expansion $394.1 million; preservation $177.5 million), plus contractual services for architects and engineers and technology implementation.

The presenter said KDOT focuses on roughly 10,000 miles of state-maintained highways within a broader statewide road system that the state ranks fourth in size and fifth in bridges nationally. Committee members pressed for more detail on revenue sources and whether the governor’s supplemental recommendations had been considered; the committee reported it had not factored the governor’s additional recommendation into its deliberations.

Senator Peck reported staff later identified $690 million in sales tax revenue that bypasses the annual appropriations process and is routed to the State Highway Fund and described it as “off budget.” Several senators raised questions about a $723,072 reappropriation for the special city and county highway fund that appears in the House recommendation but was not adopted by the Senate subcommittee. Senator Petty urged restoring those reappropriated funds, saying they benefit communities statewide.

After questions, a senator moved that the committee approve the FY2026 and FY2027 recommendations and concur with the special committee’s report; Senator Peck seconded. The committee adopted the motion by voice vote; the motion carried and Senator Petty was recorded as opposed.

The committee did not provide a detailed roll-call tally in the hearing record. Next steps: the committee’s concurrence will be transmitted as part of the Ways and Means report to the full Senate.