House Status:
Senate Status:
Senate Status:
Minutes for SB85 - Committee on Welfare Reform
Short Title
Directing the secretary for children and families to review and compare data for public assistance program eligibility.
Minutes Content for Thu, Mar 6, 2025
The Chair opened the hearing on SB85.
Mr. Wiese explained that the bill is similar to one considered by the Committee earlier in the year: HB2360. He said the bill directs the Secretary of DCF to enter into agreements with state agencies for the continuous review of data for public assistance. He outlined the kinds of data required by the bill (Attachment 10).
Steven Greene testified as a proponent for the bill (Attachment 11). He referenced the Committee's work on a similar bill earlier in the session (HB2360) and commented that the Medicaid section of the House bill had been removed by the Kansas Senate for SB85. He stated that the purpose of the bill was to have the right benefits provided to the right people. He commented that the Kansas error rate is higher than surrounding states. Kansas regulations only require annual eligibility verification; DCF needs to more frequently check for verification of eligibility. He said by cross-checking data from federal sources, Kansas can obtain more accurate information about those receiving food stamps.
The Chair noted the written-only testimony of those opposed to the bill:
- Dr. Carla Whiteside-Hicks, Director of Economic and Employment Services, DCF (Attachment 12);
- Dustin Hare, Economic Security Policy Advisor, Kansas Action for Children (Attachment 13);
- Karen Siebert, Advocacy and Public Policy Advisor, Harvesters - The Community Food Network (Attachment 14); and
- Haley Kottler, Campaign Director, Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice (Attachment 15).
The Chair invited those in the audience to comment on the bill. Haley Kottler offered comments supporting her written testimony.
Members discussed at length the ramifications of the bill. Items:
- There are different kinds of tools to deal with fraud. The bill does not designate any tools.
- The bill will create unneeded costs.
- Further fiscal information is needed.
- Kansas error rate of 12% is higher than surrounding states.
- DCF presently has extensive cross-checks and a fraud investigation unit.
- Dr. Whiteside-Hicks explained that DCF shares the modern KEES data system with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, but also relies on an outdated legacy system for some data.
The Chair closed the hearing on SB85.
The Chair invited members to consider SB79.
Representative Ousley moved to amend the bill by adding a waiver authorizing the purchase of prepared food and dietary supplements. The motion was seconded by Representative Carr (Attachment 16).
Members offered a variety of comments on the amendment, mostly focused on the definition of terms (e.g., prepared foods, supplements, fast food).
The motion to amend failed 6-7.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:50 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
