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Bill

HB 2256

Directing the governor to create and award the order of the sunflower to recognize military spouses' service to their communities.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Creates the Kansas 'Order of the Sunflower' to recognize military spouses for distinguished service to their unit, installation, community, or the state, via Governor nominations.

Stricken from Calendar by Rule 1507
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2256

Summary — HB 2256: "Order of the Sunflower" (military spouse recognition)

Purpose

HB 2256 would create a new state honor, the "Order of the Sunflower," to recognize military spouses who have rendered distinguished service to their unit command, military installation, local community, or the State of Kansas. The stated intent is to formally acknowledge and permanently record contributions by military spouses and to build morale in military communities.

Key provisions

  • Creates the "Order of the Sunflower" as an official statewide award.
  • Specifies that the Governor shall award the Order based on submissions made through the Governor’s Office via the Office of Constituent Services webpage.
  • Requires nomination submissions to include:
    • dates of service,
    • significant accomplishments, and
    • a recommendation from the nominee’s unit command.
  • Provides that recipients are those “deemed to have made a significant impact” on their unit command, installation, community, or the state.
  • Effective date language (from the introduced version): the act would take effect upon publication in the statute book.

Eligibility and nomination process

  • Eligible: military spouses (no additional eligibility criteria in the bill text beyond demonstrated significant impact).
  • Nominations: submitted online to the Governor’s Constituent Services portal and must contain specified documentation (service dates, accomplishments, unit command recommendation).
  • Recognition: as an Order, individuals would be recognized once and listed in the Order permanently (per committee supplemental note).

Who is affected

  • Primary: military spouses in Kansas who perform community or command-supporting service.
  • Administrative: Governor’s Office / Office of Constituent Services (to receive, process, and administer award submissions).
  • Unit commands: asked to provide recommendations for nominees.

Fiscal impact

  • Division of the Budget fiscal note (Feb 10, 2025) reports any additional supply costs for creating awards would be negligible; a precise fiscal effect cannot be estimated.
  • Costs associated with enactment are not reflected in the FY 2026 Governor’s Budget Report.

Legislative status & timeline

  • Introduced: Jan 30, 2025 (requested by Rep. Butler; heard by House Committee on Veterans and Military).
  • Committee: Committee recommended passage; proponents testified in favor.
  • Administrative actions: Committee hearing Feb 13, 2025; fiscal note issued Feb 10, 2025.
  • Current status: Stricken from Calendar by Rule 1507 (removes the bill from further consideration unless reinstated).

Notes: The summary is based on the Kansas bill text, committee supplemental note, and fiscal note. Other unrelated HB 2256 documents from other jurisdictions appeared in the packet but are not part of this Kansas measure.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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