Kansas Senate Bill SB28

Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/23
• Refer: 1/12/23
• Report Pass: 2/21/23
• Engrossed: 3/1/23
• Refer: 3/1/23
• Report Pass: 3/14/23
• Enrolled: 4/25/24
• Passed: 4/25/24

Caption

Making and concerning supplemental appropriations for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 and appropriations for fiscal years 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028 for various state agencies.

Impact

The impact of SB28 will primarily focus on how group-funded workers' compensation will be managed within Kansas. By abolishing the prior funds and instituting a refund mechanism, the bill seeks to create an efficient transition for entities that have contributed to said funds. The group-funded pools refund fund will be used strictly for refunding contributions, effectively ensuring that entities do not lose their investments made into the previous structure. This approach is aimed at benefiting those contributors from prior fiscal years while also alleviating fiscal responsibilities of outdated funds.

Summary

Senate Bill 28 pertains to group-funded insurance pools in the state of Kansas. The bill outlines the discontinuation of certain payments that were directed to the group-funded pools fee fund and the group-funded workers' compensation fee fund. Upon its enactment, all existing liabilities of these funds will be transferred to a newly established fund known as the group-funded pools refund fund. The aim of this bill is to streamline the process of managing funds associated with group-funded insurance pools by effectively abolishing outdated structures and establishing a clearer refund mechanism for entities previously contributing to these funds.

Contention

Notably, some contention could arise regarding the management and distribution of funds within the new framework established by SB28. As certain groups may have different expectations concerning refund amounts based on their past contributions, transparency around the pro-rata distribution method may also become a point of discussion. Stakeholders may voice concerns regarding the transition process and the accountability of managing the new refund fund, including how audits or oversight will be conducted to ensure fair distribution. Additionally, the timing of the fund’s abolishment may spark debate around the adequacy of transition planning for affected entities.