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Minutes for SB552 - Committee on Ways and Means
Short Title
Enacting the Kansas campus restoration act to address deferred maintenance and demolition of facilities at postsecondary educational institutions, establishing the Kansas campus restoration fund in the state treasury and authorizing certain transfers from the state general fund to such fund.
Minutes Content for Tue, Mar 19, 2024
Chairperson Billinger opened the hearing on SB 552. David Wiese provided an overview of the bill. (Attachment 5)
Blake Flanders, President and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents, testified as a proponent of the bill. This bill would establish a long-term program to address the facility needs of the higher education institutions. Funding for maintenance is a three legged stool: the Education Building Fund (EBF), investment from SGF and investment from the universities. A proposed amendment is included in his testimony because the Board of Regents does not govern some of the institutions in this bill. Mr. Flanders responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 6)
Heather Morgan, Kansas Association of Community Colleges, spoke in favor of the bill. The Community Colleges have done a good job of maintaining older buildings and much of what they need is to make existing buildings ADA compliant. She has two proposed amendments in her testimony. Ms. Morgan responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 7)
Colton Gibson, University Contractors Association of Kansas, stood in support of the bill. The EBF has remained stable for many decades but the footprint of universities has grown at a greater rate over the years. We have chipped away at the issue with funding provided over the last couple years but this is more than just a bill, it is a meaningful concept to solve a significant problem. (Attachment 8)
Written only testimony in support of the bill was submitted by Dr. JuliAnn Mazacheck, President of Washburn University. (Attachment 9)
There being no further conferees, Chairperson Billinger closed the hearing on SB 552.
