SESSION OF 2025
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON SENATE BILL NO. 290
As Amended by Senate Committee on Ways
and Means
Brief*
SB 290, as amended, would appropriate $600,000 from
the State General Fund (SGF) to the Kansas State Historical
Society (KSHS) for the development of the Quindaro Ruins
Archeological Park (Park) in Wyandotte County, Kansas, for
FY 2026.
The bill would require at least $250,000 SGF to be used
by the KSHS to issue a project scope statement, plan the
work to be accomplished, and issue a request for proposal
(RFP) for a master plan for the park. The remaining amount
would be used to implement phase one of the renovation
plans for the Park.
The bill would state that it is the intent of the Legislature
to provide additional funding for future fiscal years to
complete the project, based on the final plan.
The bill would be in effect upon publication in the
Kansas Register.
Background
The bill was introduced by the Senate Committee on
Ways and Means at the request of Senator Billinger. [Note: A
companion bill, HB 2398, has been introduced in the House.]
____________________
*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
https://klrd.gov/ Senate Committee on Ways and Means
In the Senate Committee hearing on March 17, 2025,
Senator Haley provided proponent testimony, stating that
there is unique, intercultural history in Quindaro for Kansas
and for the nation. The conferee also discussed obstructions
in the past that have slowed the project down, whether plans
are in the process of being created for the Park, the RFP
process, stakeholders, and the decision-making process.
Written-only proponent testimony was provided by a
representative of the Unified Government of Wyandotte
County and Kansas City, Kansas and a representative from
Health Forward Foundation. This testimony generally
addressed the benefits of having historic sites preserved for
the community and for future generations.
A representative of the Western University Association
of the African Methodist Episcopal Church provided neutral
testimony. The representative discussed the size of the
property, stated that the landowners should have say in the
planning and decision-making process, and reviewed some of
the things that have been done already in the Park area. The
representative also discussed what can be done by the time
of the FIFA World Cup, including adding signage and trails,
and the willingness to work with all stakeholders to continue
the work to preserve the Park.
Written-only neutral testimony was provided by a
member of the public. This testimony generally noted that
funding and/or representation on a task force would need to
be allocated based on land ownership for the site and
discussed a public-private partnership as a model for the
Quindaro site.
The Senate Committee amended the bill to change its
effective date from upon publication in the statute book to
upon publication in the Kansas Register.
2- 290 Fiscal Information
The bill would appropriate $600,000 SGF to the KSHS
for FY 2026.
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
the Budget on the bill, as introduced, the KSHS indicates that
the agency would use a portion of the funding to hire an
additional 0.5 FTE position to manage the development and
implementation of the master plan. Any fiscal effect
associated with enactment of the bill is not reflected in The
FY 2026 Governor’s Budget Report.
Quindaro Ruins; Kansas State Historical Society; archaeological park
3- 290