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HB 2263

Relating to homelessness.

2025 Regular Session

HB 2263 designates several Kansas highways and a bridge as memorials (incl. Kris Norton Interchange, POW/MIA) and requires private donations to fund and install the signs.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 2263

Summary — HB 2263 (2025)

Status: Will become law without Governor’s signature
Introduced: January 30, 2025
Effective: Upon publication in the Kansas Register (per Senate amendment)

Main purpose

HB 2263 creates multiple memorial designations for specific highway segments, an interchange, and a bridge in Kansas, and updates the statutory designation for the Harry Darby Memorial Highway. The bill directs the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) to mark these designations with appropriate signs after required donations are received.

Key provisions / changes

  • Designates the future interchange to be constructed at K‑10 and Wakarusa Drive (Douglas County) as the Kris Norton Memorial Interchange. (This interchange is part of the ongoing K‑10 expansion / South Lawrence Trafficway.)
  • Designates a portion of K‑5 (from the junction with North 18th Street west to North 38th Street, Wyandotte County) as the Rep. Marvin S. Robinson Memorial Highway.
  • Designates a portion of U.S. Highway 160 (from the eastern city limits of Argonia east to Eden Road) as the CPL Monte Wayne Forrest Memorial Highway.
  • Designates portions of U.S. Highway 77 (from its junction with I‑70 north through Geary County to junctions with U.S. 24 and north to the junction with K‑16 in Riley County) as the POW/MIA Memorial Highway.
  • Designates Bridge No. 82‑14‑6.88 (026) on K‑82 in Clay County as the POW/MIA Memorial Bridge.
  • Amends and repeals K.S.A. 68‑1037 to redesignate the statutory description of the Harry Darby Memorial Highway as applying to Interstate 635 (describing the route where it enters the state and its junctions with K‑5 and I‑35).

For each designation, KDOT must place suitable signs “along the highway right‑of‑way at proper intervals” after compliance with continuing law (K.S.A. 68‑10,114) regarding gifts/donations for sign costs and maintenance.

Fiscal impact and signage funding

  • KDOT estimates manufacturing & installing two signs for the Kris Norton interchange would cost $9,020 total ($4,510 per sign).
  • Under continuing law, KDOT must receive gifts/donations equal to the initial cost plus an additional 50% (to defray future maintenance/replacement). For the Kris Norton signs, that totals $13,530 in donations required prior to installation.
  • Implementation would require an increase of $9,020 to KDOT’s agency operations expenditure limitation in FY 2026 (per the fiscal note).

Who is affected

  • Kansas Department of Transportation: responsible for sign installation and administration of donations.
  • Local communities and motorists in Douglas, Wyandotte, Geary, Riley, Clay counties and Argonia area (signage and official naming).
  • Donors: memorial signs are to be funded by private gifts/donations per state law before installation.

Timeline & procedure

  • Introduced Jan 30, 2025; passed both chambers (unanimous votes recorded in conference); enrolled and presented to Governor April 4, 2025.
  • Becomes law without the Governor’s signature; effective upon publication in the Kansas Register/statute book.
  • Signs installed only after KDOT receives required donations under K.S.A. 68‑10,114.

Context / background

The bill began as a request from KDOT and includes testimony highlighting the service and engineering contributions of Kris Norton (deceased 2024). Multiple memorial designations were added in the enrolled version; the Senate amendment set the effective date at publication.

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

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