Kansas House Bill HB2192

Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/26/23
• Refer: 1/26/23
• Refer: 1/9/24
• Failed: 4/30/24

Caption

Concerning state agencies; requiring the secretary of administration to include on the Kansas taxpayer transparency act website certain information concerning grants, grant awardees and grant applications.

Impact

The bill proposes amendments to the existing statutes, specifically K.S.A. 74-72,123, necessitating the inclusion of not only financial disbursements by state entities but also detailed records of grants. This change aims to enhance public confidence in state financial practices by ensuring that citizens can track how governmental funds are allocated and used. Moreover, it outlines a procedure for the consistent updating of this data, ensuring that information remains current and relevant, which could lead to increased accountability among state departments and agencies.

Summary

House Bill 2192 mandates that the Kansas Secretary of Administration enhance the Kansas taxpayer transparency act website to include detailed information regarding grants, their awardees, and applications. This bill represents a significant step towards improving governmental transparency, aiming to provide the public with easier access to information about the disbursement of public funds and the entities receiving them. The bill emphasizes the need for a single, searchable website where the public can view comprehensive fiscal information, encompassing annual revenues and expenditures of state agencies, thereby promoting clearer visibility into state financial operations.

Contention

Notable points of contention emerging from discussions around HB 2192 may involve the scope of data disclosed and concerns around privacy regarding sensitive information. While proponents argue that increased transparency is essential for reducing waste and improving public trust, critics might express concerns that the requirements could overburden state agencies with the need to compile and maintain extensive records, potentially diverting resources away from their core functions. There may be debates regarding the balance between transparency and the protection of sensitive information, as the bill includes provisions for safeguarding confidential data as per state and federal laws.