Committee Minutes — HB2595
Tue, Mar 10, 2026

Chairwoman Warren opened the hearing on HB2595

Natalie Scott, Revisor's Office, provided an overview of the bill and stood for questions. (Attachment 1)

Ken Rahjes, Kansas House of Representatives, 110th District, provided testimony in support of the bill.  He states this bill is about ensuring that the farmer in western Kansas and the small business owner in southeast Kansas have the same constitutional and civil protection as those in our largest cities.  (Attachment 2)

Anne Marie Yatsula, Staff Attorney, League of Kansas Municipalities, provided testimony in support of the bill.  She stated some of the points that her peers consistently raised about why they were not interested in working in rural Kansas were the financial and professional barriers.  They voiced fears about the high student debt load often required to pay for law school and about a possible lack of guidance and support if they chose to practice in rural Kansas.  This bill addresses some of those concerns. (Attachment 3)

Susan Richmeier, on behalf of Kansas County District Attorney Association and Finney County Attorney Office, testified in support of the bill.  She stated this bill is an investment in the economic development of our rural communities.  Loan repayment is an equalizer to lower beginning salaries salaries and allowing our new frontiersmen the ability to make long-term gains out of short-term losses when taking jobs in our rural areas.  (Attachment 4)

Ashley Comeau, Private Citizen, spoke in support of the bill.  She stated financial incentives like those proposed in this bill help make rural practice a viable option. This legislation is an investment in the long-term health of rural Kansas. It signals that the state values the professionals who serve these communities and recognizes the barriers that can stand in the way of that choice. (Attachment 5)

Cheryl Semmel, Office of Special Counsel, KS Supreme Court, provided testimony in support of the bill.  She said the cost of tuition and education debt is a significant barrier to rural practice.  She said financial incentives targeting education costs are successful.(Attachment 6)

Jack Beck, Assistant Public Defender, BIDS Legislative Committee, provided proponent testimony regarding this bill.  He stated this bill would give law students a reason to take the opportunity to start their career in a community where they can make an impact. (Attachment 7)

The conferees stood for questions and further discussion.

Written only testimony in support of the bill was submitted by the following:

No further conferees.

Chairwoman Warren closed the hearing on HB2595.