SESSION OF 2023
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT BRIEF
HOUSE BILL NO. 2336
As Agreed to April 5, 2023
Brief*
HB 2336 would amend law pertaining to the issuance of general obligation bonds by
airport authorities enacted under the Surplus Property and Public Airport Authority Act and
increase the cost thresholds under which a negotiating committee must be convened for state
construction projects .
The bill would increase the amount of general obligation bonds that may be issued by such
boards without approval from $1.0 million to $10.0 million and require amounts in excess of
$10.0 million to be approved by the relevant board of county commissioners, rather than by
general election.
The bill would also permit a board of county commissioners to approve the issuance of
such bonds in an amount in excess of 1.85 percent of the assessed valuation of tangible
personal property within the county.
The bill would further specify any issuance of bonds subject to approval by a board of
county commissioners could be petitioned by qualified electors of the county to be submitted to
a general election in the manner provided for in continuing law.
Additionally, the bill would increase the cost thresholds for state building projects at which
a negotiating committee must be convened for the selection of architectural, engineering, or
land surveying services to $1.5 million and provide for future increases to the thresholds that
would begin in FY 2025 based upon increases in the consumer price index for all urban
consumers as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.
[Note: Current law sets the cost threshold at $1.0 million for the Department of
Administration and $500,000 for all other state agencies.]
The bill would also limit the costs applying to the thresholds from the total project costs to
the construction costs of the project.
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*Conference committee report briefs are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express
legislative intent. No summary is prepared when the report is an agreement to disagree. Conference committee
report briefs may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.kslegislature.org/klrd
1 - 2336 Conference Committee Action
The Conference Committee agreed to the provisions of HB 2336, as amended by the
Senate Committee on Commerce, and agreed to add the contents of HB 2234, as amended by
the Senate Committee on Commerce.
Background
HB 2336
The bill was introduced by the House Committee on Transportation at the request of
Senator Dietrich.
House Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development
In the House Committee hearing, proponent testimony was provided by representatives of
the Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority and the Board of County Commissioners of Shawnee
County. The proponents generally stated the bill would allow for necessary improvements to be
made at Topeka’s two airports which are not suitable for modern aircraft and lack the buildings
and facilities necessary to attract businesses. The bonding authority threshold has not been
modified since 1978.
Written-only proponent testimony was provided by representatives of the City of Topeka
and Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce. No other testimony was provided.
Senate Committee on Commerce
In the Senate Committee hearing, proponent testimony was provided by representatives
of the Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority and Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce. The
proponents provided testimony similar to the testimony provided at the House Committee
hearing.
Written-only proponent testimony was provided by representatives of the City of Topeka
and the Board of County Commissioners of Shawnee County. No other testimony was provided.
The Senate Committee amended the bill to:
●Require increases in excess of $10.0 million to be approved by a board of county
commissioners; [Note: The Conference Committee retained the amendment.]
●Allow for issuance of bonds in amounts in excess of 1.85 percent; and [Note: The
Conference Committee retained the amendment.]
●Provide that any issuance of bonds subject to approval by a board of county
commissioners could be submitted to a general election. [Note: The Conference
Committee retained the amendment.]
2 - 2336 HB 2234
The bill was introduced by the House Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic
Development at the request of a representative of the State Board of Regents.
House Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development
In the House Committee hearing, proponent testimony was provided by representatives of
the American Council of Engineering Companies of Kansas, American Institute of Architects of
Kansas, Department of Administration, Department of Transportation, and State Board of
Regents. The proponents generally stated enactment of the bill would reduce administrative
costs of building projects and was appropriate to bring the previously enacted thresholds in line
with inflation since their enactment. No other testimony was provided.
The House Committee amended the bill to provide for future increases based upon
inflation. [Note: The Conference Committee retained the amendment.]
Senate Committee on Commerce
In the Senate Committee hearing, proponent testimony was provided by representatives
of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Kansas, American Institute of Architects
of Kansas, Department of Administration, Department of Transportation, and State Board of
Regents. The proponents generally stated enactment of the bill would reduce administrative
costs of building projects and was appropriate to bring the previously enacted thresholds in line
with inflation since their enactment. No other testimony was provided.
The Senate Committee amended the bill to make it effective upon publication in the
Kansas Register. [Note: The Conference Committee did not retain the amendment.]
Fiscal Information
HB 2336
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of the Budget on the bill, as
introduced, there would be no state fiscal effect.
The Kansas Association of Counties indicates the bill could have an indeterminate fiscal
effect on counties with an airport authority.
HB 2234
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of the Budget on the bill, as
introduced, the Department of Administration indicates the bill would not have a fiscal effect on
agency operations, but would allow for projects to be completed more efficiently. The
Department of Transportation indicates the bill would have a fiscal effect on the agency by
streamlining the process for engaging in relevant services. The State Board of Regents
3 - 2336 indicates enactment of the bill would reduce time spent by negotiating committees and time and
funding spent by qualified firms in responding to negotiating committees.
Any fiscal effect associated with the bill is not reflected in The FY 2024 Governor’s Budget
Report.
Bonding authority; Topeka; airport; surplus property and public airport authority act; state construction projects; professional
services; cost thresholds
ccrb_hb2336_01_topekaairport.odt
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