Committee Minutes — HB2596
Wed, Mar 11, 2026

Chair Alley opened the hearing on HB2596.

Staff provided a brief overview of the bill. (Attachment 2)

Representative Paul Waggoner, 104th House District testified in support of the bill. (Attachment 3)  He said this bill is an excellent response to the widespread need in Kansas for more low income housing stock.  Hutchinson feels this need more than most areas but it is truly a statewide issue.  By passing this bill, a bottleneck can be removed in the free flow of private housing innovation in our state.

Deb Teufel, President and CEO, Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce testified in support of the bill. (Attachment 4)  She said this legislation would allow area partners to collaborate with the Hutchinson Correctional Facility to provide hands-on construction training to residents while building homes that meet a critical infill housing need in Reno County.  This bill represents a strategic solution that simultaneously addresses workforce shortages, housing supply constraints, and successful re-entry outcomes.

Clint Nelson, President and CEO, Interfaith Housing and Community Services, Inc testified in support of the bill. (Attachment 5)  He said this legislation presents a unique, multi-faceted opportunity to increase local housing production while delivering transformative vocational training within our correctional system.

Written only proponent testimony was submitted by:

  • Dr. Ed Berger, retired President of Hutchinson Community College (Attachment 6)
  • Aubrey Abbot Patterson, President and CEO, Hutchinson Community Foundation (Attachment 7)
  • Shara Gonzales, President and CEO, New Beginnings, Inc. (Attachment 8)
  • Enrico Villegas, City Manager, City of Hutchinson (Attachment 9)
  • Scott Megger, Mayor, City of Hutchinson (Attachment 10)
  • Tricia Paramore, Ph.D, President, Hutchinson Community College (Attachment 11)
  • Representative Kyler Sweely, 102nd House District (Attachment 12)

Martha Smith, Executive Director, Kansas Manufactured Housing Association (KMHA) testified in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 13)  She said KMHA fundamentally opposes using prison labor to compete with private employers.  This model displaces jobs, undermines fair competition, and relies on advantages no private business can legally or ethically replicate.  Ms. Smith provided preliminary results for Kansas from their ongoing research about the economic impact of manufactured housing. (Attachment 14) 

Written only opponent testimony was submitted by:

There was no neutral testimony.

Chair Alley closed the hearing on HB2596.

The next meeting will be on March 12, 2026.  The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 pm.