SESSION OF 2023
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON HOUSE BILL NO. 2088
As Recommended by House Committee on
Veterans and Military
Brief*
HB 2088 would provide for the development of a mural
in the Statehouse honoring the 1st Kansas (Colored)
Voluntary Infantry Regiment and establish a fund for such
purpose.
The bill would direct the Capitol Preservation Committee
to develop and approve a mural in the Statehouse honoring
the Regiment. The bill would also establish a fund in the State
Treasury for creation and installation of the mural. The bill
would authorize the Secretary of Administration to receive
and expend moneys from any grants, gifts, contributions, or
bequests made for the purpose of financing the creation and
installation of the mural. The bill states no public funds would
be expended for the purposes of creating or installing the
mural.
Current law directs the Kansas State Historical Society
and the Department of Administration to develop the mural;
because that statute was enacted, the Legislature established
the Capitol Preservation Committee to oversee the type,
display, and location of artistic displays in the Capitol and on
the Capitol’s grounds that are historically accurate or have
historical significance.
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*Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research
Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental
note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at
http://www.kslegislature.org Background
The bill was introduced by the House Committee on
Veterans and Military at the request of Representative Winn.
[Note: The bill is identical to the provisions of 2023 SB
39, which was passed by the Senate Committee on Federal
and State Affairs on January 31, 2023.]
House Committee on Veterans and Military
In the House Committee hearing on January 26, 2023,
proponent testimony was provided by Representative Winn,
a representative of the Kansas State Historical Society, and
two private citizens. The proponents stated that a mural
honoring the 1st Kansas (Colored) Voluntary Infantry
Regiment would complement the Capitol’s existing John
Steuart Curry’s mural “Tragic Prelude” by honoring the first
Black regiment that fought in the Civil War and bringing
recognition to Kansas’ role in preserving the Union. No other
testimony was provided.
Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
the Budget on the bill, the Department of Administration
indicates enactment of the bill would not have a fiscal effect
on agency operations because the mural would be
constructed with funding from gifts, grants, or contributions.
Kansas Statehouse; state capitol; mural; capitol preservation; Capitol Preservation
Committee
2- 2088