Strengthening the early learning facilities grant and loan program by revising criteria and providing resources to the Ruth LeCocq Kagi early learning facilities development account.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Callan and 13 co-sponsors

Creates the Kansas Technical College Operating Grant Fund to provide state operating grants for tech colleges, but funding requires future legislative appropriation.

Effective date 6/6/2024*.

Purpose

Establishes a dedicated state fund to support operating grants for Kansas technical colleges. The intent is to provide a formal vehicle within the State Treasury for state-directed operating support targeted to instruction and operations that meet regional and statewide technical education objectives.

Key provisions

Establishes the "Kansas Technical College Operating Grant Fund" in the state treasury.

Assigns administration of the Fund to the Kansas State Board of Regents.

Restricts all Fund expenditures to "instruction and operations" that meet target objectives set by the Postsecondary Technical Education Authority (PTEA) for each technical college region and for the state as a whole.

Requires expenditures to be made only pursuant to appropriation acts, on warrants of the Director of Accounts and Reports, and upon vouchers approved by the executive officer of the Board of Regents (or designee).

Defines "technical college" by reference to K.S.A. 71-1802 (and includes the Washburn Institute of Technology).

Final version: Act takes effect upon publication in the Kansas Register.

Who is affected

Kansas technical colleges (including the Washburn Institute of Technology) — potential recipients of operating grant awards.

State Board of Regents — responsible for administering the Fund and approving vouchers for disbursements.

Postsecondary Technical Education Authority — sets target objectives that guide how funds may be used.

Office of the Director of Accounts and Reports — issues warrants for authorized expenditures.

Legislature/governor — must appropriate money to the Fund; no automatic appropriation or revenue stream is created by the bill.

Fiscal and administrative impact

The Division of the Budget and Board of Regents indicate enactment would have a negligible fiscal effect on Board operations.

The bill creates the Fund but does not establish any revenue source or automatic appropriation; spending from the Fund requires future legislative appropriation. Practically, the Fund enables targeted grants only if and when the Legislature provides funding.

Background & procedure

Introduced at the request of Representative Howe on behalf of the Kansas Association of Technical Colleges.

Proponent testimony emphasized prior positive impacts of technical college funding and needs such as deferred maintenance and program development.

Companion bill: SB 235.

Procedural history: introduced January 2025, advanced through House and Senate committees, amended to be effective upon publication, enrolled, and approved by the Governor in 2025.

Bottom line: HB 2195 creates an administrative structure (a dedicated fund and governance rules) to direct state operating grant dollars to technical colleges, but does not by itself provide funding — appropriations would be required before grants can be made.

Bill