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HB 2180

Relating to school safety; declaring an emergency.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jeff Helfrich

Creates the Blind Information Access Act to provide on-demand digital content access (audio/ braille/ text) for Kansans who are blind or print-disabled, funded via KUSF transfers.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 2180

Summary — HB 2180 (Blind Information Access Act) — Introduced January 28, 2025

Purpose / Intent

HB 2180 would establish the Blind Information Access Act to ensure on‑demand access to news, publications and other digital content for Kansans who are blind, visually impaired, deafblind, or otherwise print‑disabled. The bill directs the State Librarian to contract with an organization to deliver information access services using telecommunications or internet technologies and creates a dedicated funding mechanism to pay for the services.

Key provisions

  • Creates the Blind Information Access Act and requires the State Librarian to:
    • Estimate the annual cost to contract with an organization providing on‑demand information access services for eligible persons.
    • Enter into or renew the required contract after the certified funding is provided.
    • Promote the availability of the services to eligible individuals.
  • Specifies scope of services to include access to digital content via audio, electronic text and braille‑reading technologies and related services, including:
    • Kansas‑specific, national and international publications;
    • Breaking news sources; and
    • Localized emergency weather alerts.
  • Requires the State Librarian to submit an annual report (on or before November 1) to the Legislature and the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) specifying the cost estimate and to certify that cost to the Director of Accounts and Reports and the Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF) Administrator.
  • Establishes the Blind Information Access Fund in the state treasury. Upon certification, the KUSF Administrator transfers the certified total from the KUSF to the State Treasurer in the following calendar year via 12 equal monthly installments; funds are credited to the Blind Information Access Fund and expended under appropriation for implementation.
  • Amends K.S.A. 66‑2010 to (a) require the KUSF administrator to ensure KUSF sufficiency includes amounts owed for these information access services and (b) provide for the monthly transfer schedule.

Fiscal impact (from Fiscal Note)

  • State Library estimates increased expenditures:
    • FY2026: $97,917 (funded from the new Blind Information Access Fund)
    • $30,500 — contractor to deliver services
    • $52,917 — salaries/wages to fill an existing 1.00 FTE to promote services
    • $14,500 — outreach, periodicals subscriptions, administrative costs
    • FY2027: ~$100,000 (ongoing)
  • The KUSF would transfer the certified amount to the Blind Information Access Fund; the fiscal note notes that a FY2026 Governor recommendation already included $95,399 SGF for the program, which would not be needed if HB 2180 is enacted (source would shift from SGF to KUSF transfer).
  • Kansas Corporation Commission reports no direct fiscal effect on its operations.

Who is affected

  • Direct beneficiaries: persons who are blind, visually impaired, deafblind or print‑disabled in Kansas.
  • State Library: administrative and program delivery responsibilities; hires/allocates 1 FTE for outreach/promotion per fiscal estimate.
  • Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF) and contributing telecommunications providers: KUSF will provide transfers to fund the program (indirect fiscal/administrative effect on KUSF operations).
  • State Treasurer and Director of Accounts and Reports: administrative role in receiving and disbursing certified funds.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Annual reporting deadline: State Librarian must report cost estimate to the Legislature and KCC by November 1 each year.
  • Funding transfer: upon certification, KUSF transfers the total certified amount in the following calendar year in 12 equal monthly installments to the State Treasurer for credit to the Blind Information Access Fund.
  • Current status (per provided information): Introduced January 28, 2025; referred to the House Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications.

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

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