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Minutes for SB281 - Committee on Government Efficiency
Short Title
Establishing the Kansas postsecondary education savings account and Kansas ABLE savings account grant incentive program and eliminating the low-income family postsecondary savings accounts incentive program.
Minutes Content for Thu, Mar 13, 2025
Chair Erickson opened the hearing on SB 281.
Staff provided a brief overview of the bill. (Attachment 1)
Proponent
Tom Treacy, Office of Kansas State Treasurer Steven Johnson, gave testimony in support of the bill. (Attachment 2) He stated this bill represents a prudent step toward improving the efficiency and impact of Kansas’ tax-advantaged saving programs. By consolidating resources, simplifying access and ensuring financial accountability, this bill strengthens the state’s commitment to helping families save for education and support individuals living with disabilities achieve greater financial independence.
Megan Shreve, Associate Director, InterHab, stood in support of the bill. InterHab and its members will continue to support and encourage Kansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to take advantage of ABLE savings accounts and look forward to collaborating with the State Treasurer’s Office in this important effort. (Attachment 3)
Sara Hart Weir, Executive Director, Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities supports this bill. (Attachment 4) They ask the committee to advance the bill and continue supporting initiatives that promote economic empowerment and independence for Kansans with disabilities.
Proponent written testimony was submitted by Matthew Golden, Advocate (Attachment 5)
Opponent
Nicholas J. Novelly, CPA , stated that he is opposed to eliminating the KIDS Matching Grant program and recommend that the committee revise the bill to retain the program while establishing audit requirements that will allow for greater efficiency in the Treasurer's office. (Attachment 6)
Chair Erickson closed the hearing on SB 281.
The next committee meeting is 3-17-25. The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 am.
