The Senate committee approved two separate actions related to the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP): authorization to enter a build‑to‑suit lease for a hangar at Jabara Airport with a first payment of $250,000 from the State Highway Fund, and committee support for bonding/financing to relocate Troop C headquarters, central dispatch and to add capacity at a shared firing range.

Lease at Jabara
KHP Superintendent Eric Smith said the patrol had been exploring hangar and maintenance options; committee members approved authorization for KHP to negotiate and enter a lease of an estimated build‑to‑suit hangar (approximately 18,000 square feet, including ~14,000 sq. ft. hangar and ~4,000 sq. ft. office space). The motion authorized a $250,000 first payment from State Highway Fund in FY2026 and allowed KHP to negotiate lease terms; committee members noted the lease would be a multi‑year agreement with standard negotiation on rate and length and would be a private developer building on leased airport land rather than the state building on airport land.

Troop C headquarters, dispatch and firing range
The committee also approved a motion to authorize up to $55.5 million in funding (structured as bonding from the State Highway Fund) for Troop C headquarters relocation, central dispatch and an agreement to co‑fund improvements to an existing indoor firing range so KHP would not duplicate infrastructure. Committee discussion emphasized locating the troop headquarters and dispatch centrally (Salina area) and noted range access and training efficiencies for multiple law‑enforcement agencies.

Questions and concerns
Senators asked whether KHP had exhausted leasing and reuse options, the length and break clauses in current Cook lease arrangements, and whether the proposed lease or bonds would be structured to protect taxpayers. KHP said its current lease at Cook includes a five‑year extension with a 90‑day out clause specific to KHP; the new Jabara lease option would be negotiated with standard protections for the state.

Outcome and next steps
Both motions passed in committee. The hangar authorization allows the agency to negotiate a lease and make a first payment from the State Highway Fund; the Troop C/dispatch/range authorization sets bonding authority and directed KHP to pursue memorandum(s) of understanding with range owners and partner agencies. Final terms and bond structuring will be set later with finance authorities if the committee and the Legislature approve appropriations.

Provenance
Topic start: KHP discussion begins in transcript around s=8575.77. Topic finish: committee votes and approvals around s=9223.52.