SESSION OF 2023
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON SENATE BILL NO. 39
As Recommended by Senate Committee on
Federal and State Affairs
Brief*
SB 39 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 creating and installing 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 Historical Society and
the Department of Administration to develop the mural; since
that statute was enacted, the Legislature established the
Capitol Preservation Committee to oversee the type, display,
and location of artistic displays that are historically accurate
or have historical significance.
Background
SB 39 was introduced by the Senate Committee on
Federal and State Affairs at the request of Senator Bowers.
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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 [Note: A companion bill, HB 2088, has been introduced in the
House.]
Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs
In the Senate Committee hearing, proponent testimony
was provided by Senator Bowers, a representative of the
Kansas Historical Society, and a private citizen. Proponents
stated the mural has been in development since 2000 (SB
660, codified at KSA 75-2264), and the bill would begin the
process of completing the project. The mural would honor a
unique aspect of Kansas’ Civil War history.
Written-only proponent testimony was provided by a
representative of the Kansas Black Legislative Caucus.
The Senate Committee recommended the bill be placed
on the Consent Calendar.
Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
the Budget on the bill, enactment 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
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