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2025 Regular Session Introduced by Elizabeth Bennett-Parker and 3 co-sponsors

The bill designates three Kansas roadways as memorials for CPL Monte Wayne Forrest and POW/MIA service members and requires donor-funded signage along those routes.

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0398)

Purpose

HB 2124 designates two highway segments and one bridge in Kansas as memorials honoring U.S. military service members:
- The CPL Monte Wayne Forrest Memorial Highway (US‑160, Sumner County);
- The POW/MIA Memorial Highway (US‑77 through portions of Geary and Riley counties);
- The POW/MIA Memorial Bridge (Bridge No. 82‑14‑6.88 (026) on K‑82, Clay County).

The bill directs the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) to install signs identifying these designations once required donations are received.

Key provisions

Designations

CPL Monte Wayne Forrest Memorial Highway: US‑160 from the eastern city limits of Argonia east to Eden Road (Sumner County).
POW MIA Memorial Highway: US‑77 from I‑70 in Geary County north to US‑24 in Riley County, and from the eastern intersection with US‑24 north to the junction with K‑16 (Riley County).
POW MIA Memorial Bridge: Bridge No. 82‑14‑6.88 (026) on K‑82 in Clay County (near the north end of Milford Lake, by Wakefield).

Signage funding and placement

KDOT must place “suitable signs” along the right‑of‑way when, under continuing law (K.S.A. 68‑10,114), sufficient gifts/donations have been received to cover the initial cost plus an additional 50% of the initial cost to defray future maintenance/replacement.

Effective date

The act takes effect upon publication in the Kansas Register.

Fiscal impact

KDOT estimates (manufacture + installation):

CPL Monte Wayne Forrest signage: $5,600 for two signs ($2,800 each). Donations required (including 50% maintenance surcharge): $8,400.
POW/MIA signage: $13,980 to manufacture/install four highway signs and two bridge signs. Donations required (including surcharge): $20,970.

KDOT indicated implementation would require an increase of $19,580 to FY2026 expenditure limitations for its agency operations account (equal to manufacturing/installation costs), although statutory practice requires donor reimbursement prior to installation.

Who is affected

Geographic: motorists and communities along the specified segments of US‑160, US‑77, and K‑82 (Sumner, Geary, Riley, Clay counties).

Agencies: Kansas Department of Transportation (responsible for sign procurement/installation and administration of donated funds).

Constituents: families and organizations honoring CPL Monte Wayne Forrest and POW/MIA service members; general public via permanent memorial signage.

Legislative status / timeline

Introduced by Representative Hoffman — filed Jan 27, 2025.

Passed House (as amended) — Feb 18, 2025 (119–0).

Passed Senate (as amended) — Mar 12, 2025 (39–0).

Subsequent nonconcurrence with amendments led to a requested conference committee; Motion to accede adopted and Senators Petersen, Kloos, and Corson were appointed conferees (Mar 17, 2025).

If enacted in final form, the act becomes effective upon publication in the Kansas Register.

Notes: HB 2124, as reported, incorporates provisions from HB 2105 (POW/MIA designations). Background testimony noted CPL Monte Wayne Forrest was KIA in Vietnam (1970) and posthumously awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart; veteran and VFW groups supported the POW/MIA designations.

Bill