SESSION OF 2025
SECOND CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT BRIEF
SENATE BILL NO. 24
As Agreed to March 26, 2025
Brief*
SB 24 would expand the eligibility requirements for postsecondary education institutions to
participate in the Kansas Promise Scholarship Program and increase the maximum amount that
could be appropriated to the program.
Eligible Postsecondary Educational Institution
The bill would expand the definition of “eligible postsecondary educational institution,” on
and after July 1, 2026, to include any institution with its main campus or place of operation in
Kansas that offers a Kansas Promise Scholarship-eligible program, is recognized by the State
Board of Regents, is nationally accredited, and is eligible to receive funding under Title IV of the
Higher Education Act of 1965. [Note: This would expand eligibility for the Kansas Promise
Scholarship Program to include the Wichita Technical Institute and the Heartland Welding
Academy in 2026.]
Maximum Cap Increase
The bill would increase the maximum amount that could be appropriated to the Kansas
Promise Scholarship Program from $10.0 million to $15.0 million.
Conference Committee Action
The second Conference Committee agreed to remove the contents of SB 24, as amended
by the House Committee on Insurance, and insert the language of SB 44, as amended by the
House Committee of the Whole. The Conference Committee further amended the bill to delay
the enactment of the change to “eligible postsecondary educational institution” to on and after
July 1, 2026.
[Note: The original contents of SB 24, related to authorizing the Commissioner of
Insurance to set the amount of certain fees, are similar to contents found within HB 2050, as
amended by the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance.]
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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 https://klrd.gov/
1 - 24 Background
SB 44
The bill was introduced by the Senate Committee on Education at the request of a
representative of the Wichita Technical Institute.
Senate Committee on Education
In the Senate Committee hearing, proponent testimony was provided by representatives
of the Heartland Welding Academy, Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Wichita
Technical Institute, who generally stated that workforce concerns are the main reason for
requesting the bill, and that the Promise Scholarship helps keep students in the State of
Kansas. The proponents also stated that after two years of the Promise Scholarship being in
place, the ceiling for funds has been reached, and they would like the Senate Committee to
consider increasing funds or including students from outside of Kansas.
Written-only proponent testimony was provided by a representative of LeadingAge Kansas.
Written-only opponent testimony was provided by a representative of Kansas Technical
Colleges.
Neutral testimony was provided by representatives of the Kansas Association of
Community Colleges and the State Board of Regents, who generally stated that serving
students continues to be the priority of the scholarship program, but there are concerns with
staffing and money reserves. The representatives stated that the bill would need to increase
funding to the scholarship for it to continue to best serve the students of Kansas.
No other testimony was provided.
Senate Committee of the Whole
The Senate Committee of the Whole amended the bill to increase the maximum
appropriation cap from $10.0 million to $15.0 million. [Note: The Conference Committee
retained this amendment.]
House Committee on Education
In the House Committee hearing, proponent testimony was provided by representatives of
the Heartland Welding Academy, Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Wichita
Technical Institute. The testimony was similar to the testimony provided to the Senate
Committee.
Written-only proponent testimony was provided by representatives of the Kansas
Chamber, LeadingAge Kansas, and the Wichita Technical Institute.
2 - 24 Neutral testimony was provided by representatives of the Kansas Association of
Community Colleges and State Board of Regents, whose testimony was similar to the testimony
provided to the Senate Committee. The conferees expressed support for the amendment made
by the Senate Committee of the Whole.
No other testimony was provided.
House Committee of the Whole
The House Committee of the Whole amended the bill to change the effective date to be
upon publication in the Kansas Register. [Note: The Conference Committee did not retain this
amendment.]
Fiscal Information
SB 44
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of the Budget on the bill, as
introduced, the State Board of Regents (Board) indicates enactment of the bill would expand the
number of students eligible for the Kansas Promise Scholarship Program. If the bill is enacted,
the Board indicates the Heartland Welding Academy and Wichita Technical Institute would
qualify for the scholarship, and additional institutions may qualify in the future. Because of the
scholarship’s annual appropriation limit of $10.0 million SGF, the Board estimates that eligible
applicants would be denied awards rather than increasing the overall total. This would affect not
only the 2 new institutions, but also the 32 schools that received funding in FY 2024.
If the $10.0 million State General Fund (SGF) limitation is adjusted, the Board estimates
additional expenditures of $1.6 million SGF in FY 2026 and $1.6 million SGF in FY 2027 would
be needed to fund students who complete their programs and qualify for the Kansas Promise
Scholarship Program. The Board states that as tuition costs rise, additional funding would be
needed in future fiscal years.
The Board also notes that if the bill is enacted without additional funding, there would be
an increase in staff time to manage the increased applications and maintain a waiting list of
eligible applicants. If the Kansas Promise Scholarship Program would be changed to allow for
additional funds, there would still be an increase in staff time to manage the increased
applications. Any fiscal effect associated with the bill is not reflected in The FY 2026 Governor’s
Budget Report.
Education; Kansas Promise Scholarship Program; Postsecondary educational institutions; Board of Regents
ccrb_sb24_02_3262025.odt
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