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Minutes for SB290 - Committee on Ways and Means
Short Title
Providing funding for the state historical society to issue a scope statement, plan the work to be accomplished and issue a request for proposals for a master plan for the Quindaro ruins archaeological park in Wyandotte county, Kansas, and implement such master plan.
Minutes Content for Mon, Mar 17, 2025
Chairperson Billinger opened the hearing on SB 290. Jessie Pringle, Office of the Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of the bill. (Attachment 2)
Senator Haley spoke in support of the bill. There is meaningful history in the Quindaro area and there is a need for this master plan. For years he has seen efforts to promote its prominent place in history fail. There has been some out of state obstruction that has resulted in nothing being done. This bill will provide funding to the Kansas Historical Society to develop the master plan, which will result in being able to share this site with tourists, history buffs and other travelers. Senator Haley responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 3)
Written only testimony in support of the bill was submitted by:
Tyrone Garner, Mayor of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas (Attachment 4)
Robert Gibson, Health Forward Foundation (Attachment 5)
Reverend Stacy Evans, Chairperson of the Western University Association of the A.M.E. Church, testified as a neutral conferee. The Association is in support of a master plan but wants the bill amended to include language that would recognize that the Quindaro ruins are privately owned by her organization, that her organization should be included in discussions and that state-funded initiatives should support the on-going preservation efforts. (Attachment 6)
Written only testimony neutral to the bill was submitted by Dr. Tai Edwards, Historian. (Attachment 7)
There being no further conferees, Chairperson Billinger closed the hearing on SB 290.
