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SB 99

Requiring the head of each state agency to certify the number of full-time positions paid from the state general fund that have been vacant for more than 180 calendar days and lapsing state general fund appropriations for such positions for fiscal year 2026.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas bill requires agencies to report long-vacant positions and automatically redirects their unused appropriations to the state general fund in FY2026, eliminating budget allocations held for 180+ day vacancies.

Died in Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 99

Legislative bill overview

SB 99 requires Kansas state agency heads to report vacant full-time positions that have remained unfilled for more than 180 days and automatically eliminates (lapses) the general fund appropriations for those positions in fiscal year 2026. This creates a mechanism to reclaim budget allocations tied to long-term vacancies rather than leaving funds allocated to empty positions.

Why is this important

State budgets are finite resources, and money allocated to vacant positions represents funding that could be redirected to other priorities or deficit reduction. This bill addresses a common government inefficiency where agencies retain budgets for positions they're not filling, potentially masking true operational costs or preventing reallocation to areas with demonstrated need. The automatic lapsing mechanism also creates incentive for agencies to either fill positions or formally eliminate them rather than leaving vacancies indefinitely.

Potential points of contention

  • Agency flexibility concerns: Agencies may argue that holding vacant positions allows them to respond to unexpected staffing needs or budget shortfalls; automatic lapsing could constrain operational flexibility and require lengthy re-appropriation processes to rehire.
  • Definition and timing issues: The 180-day threshold is arbitrary and may not account for legitimate recruitment timelines, civil service processes, or specialized positions requiring extended search periods; agencies filling positions on day 181 would face funding loss.
  • Unintended consequences: This could incentivize premature hiring of less-qualified candidates to avoid losing appropriations, or create perverse incentives for agencies to eliminate needed positions entirely rather than maintain vacancy budgets, potentially reducing service capacity.

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

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