SESSION OF 2023
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON HOUSE BILL NO. 2290
As Recommended by House Committee on
Higher Education Budget
Brief*
HB 2290 would authorize the affiliation of Northwest
Kansas Technical College and North Central Kansas
Technical College with Fort Hays State University (FHSU).
Affiliated Institutions
The affiliated institutions would be designated as FHSU-
Northwest Kansas Technical College and FHSU-North
Central Kansas Technical College and operated as technical
colleges within FHSU. The powers and duties of the
governing boards for these technical colleges would be
transferred to FHSU, subject to the rules and regulations and
supervision of the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR), and the
boards would become industry or regional advisory boards
appointed by the President of FHSU.
The bill would provide that the affiliated institutions
would continue as technical colleges eligible for funding in the
same manner as other technical colleges and offer programs
approved by FHSU, including credential and degree
programs that technical colleges are authorized to award.
Industry and Regional Advisory Boards
The new industry or regional advisory boards would be
required to:
____________________
*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 ●Review programs at the affiliated institution with
FHSU leadership to ensure alignment with industry
and community workforce needs;
●Provide input relating to changes in each advisory
board member’s industry sector or region that
affect academic programs;
●Perform any operational responsibilities or duties
specified in the formal affiliation agreement; and
●Perform any other responsibilities as requested by
the President of FHSU.
Admissions
The bill would provide that admission requirements for
each respective institution would not be altered, and FHSU
would not admit degree-seeking, first-time freshmen or
transfer students to university programs who do not meet the
applicable qualified admission standards.
Formal Affiliation Agreement
The bill would require a formal affiliation agreement
between the affiliated institutions and FHSU to address the
transfer of faculty, employees, and students and, subject to
authorization by KBOR, all affiliated institution personnel
would become FHSU personnel, with their employment
deemed uninterrupted.
The affiliation would be effective after approval of the
formal agreement by the Higher Learning Commission of
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The bill
provides that should only one technical college choose to
participate in the affiliation agreement with FHSU, the
2- 2290 provisions of the bill would be effective for the remaining
institutions.
Legal Proceedings and Contracts
The bill would state that no legal proceeding, including
criminal actions, would be eliminated by reason of the
affiliation, and any legal proceeding could be allowed to be
maintained by the affiliated institutions.
The bill would also stated the affiliation would not affect
any contract, agreement, or assurance in effect on the
effective date of the bill (July 1, 2023).
Conforming and Technical Amendments
The bill would make other conforming and technical
amendments to law regarding the technical colleges affiliated
designation.
Background
The bill was introduced by the House Committee on
Higher Education at the request of Representative Howe.
House Committee on Higher Education Budget
In the House Committee hearing, proponent testimony
was provided by the Presidents of FHSU, KBOR, North
Central Kansas Technical College, and Northwest Kansas
Technical College, and a representative of the Technical
College Association
The proponents stated this voluntary affiliation would
increase student access to programs and post-graduate
employment and strengthen relationships with community
and business partners to address employment issues in rural
3- 2290 areas. The proponents also stated that accreditation, funding,
and athletic programs would remain unique to each institution
under the affiliation.
Written only-proponent testimony was provided by the
Mayor of Hays and representatives of the Hays Chamber,
Hess Services, and the Kansas Chamber.
No other testimony was provided.
Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
the Budget on the bill, FHSU and KBOR estimate enactment
of the bill would have a negligible fiscal effect on the State
General Fund.
Higher education; technical college; Fort Hays State University; Northwest Kansas
Technical College ; North Central Kansas Technical College; State Board of Regents;
Regents System; affiliation
4- 2290