The HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Committee of the Whole on Feb. 18 reported a bundle of bills favorably, advancing measures that include transferring local 9-1-1 collection duties to the state treasurer, clarifying veterans' license-plate eligibility, creating a career campus at Lansing Penitentiary and designating two memorial highway segments.

Why it matters: The items voted out of the Committee of the Whole affect state administration (9-1-1 collections), veterans' benefits documentation, local governance (county fair board membership), corrections programming and commemorative roadway designations. Several measures were reported as amended; the Committee recommended passage so the full House may consider final passage.

Most significant actions reported by the Committee of the Whole included:

- HB 2110 — 9-1-1 administrative changes: Representative Hoffman explained the bill is a “trailer” to last year’s statutory change that created the State 9‑1‑1 Board (previously the State 9‑1‑1 Coordinating Council). The bill removes the Local Collection Point Administrator (LCPA) role and transfers collection and remittance duties to the state treasurer, creates funds needed to move receipts into the state treasury, and removes a $2,000,000 cap on the 9‑1‑1 grant fund. The committee report on HB 2110 was adopted and the measure was reported favorably for passage.

- HB 2170 — Kansas Burn Awareness Week: Representative Howell said the bill designates February as Kansas Burn Awareness Week to raise public education on accidental burn prevention and to commemorate those injured or killed by burn incidents. The committee reported the bill favorably.

- HB 2117 — Business filing procedures: Representative Ward described technical changes from the Secretary of State's Business Services Division that modify statutes for business trusts, foreign and professional corporations, and limited partnerships to reduce filing rejections. The bill was reported favorably.

- HB 2031 — Driving instructor licensure reciprocity: Representative Collins said the bill allows holders of valid out‑of‑state driver's licenses to serve as driving instructors in Kansas; the Department of Revenue asked the committee to expand the scope from motorcycle instructors to all driving instructors. The committee reported the bill favorably as amended.

- HB 2124 — Highway memorial designation: Representative Van Houten presented a bill designating a portion of U.S. Highway 160 as the Corporal Monty Wayne Forest Memorial Highway, with proponent testimony noting Corporal Forest died in Vietnam in 1970 and received the Silver Star and Purple Heart. The committee also considered an amendment designating part of U.S. Highway 77 as the POW‑MIA Memorial Bridge near Milford Lake; testimony noted 1,179 Kansans remain missing or unaccounted for from major 20th‑century conflicts. The committee report was adopted and the bill reported favorably as amended.

- HB 2169 — Veterans' license plates: Representative Essex said the bill aligns specialized military license‑plate issuance requirements with statutory changes made in 2024. The proposal clarifies acceptable proof of service and extends eligibility to veterans released or discharged under an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions. The fiscal note was $1,200 to update agency forms and procedures. The committee reported the bill favorably.

- HB 2185 — Kansas National Guard dependent education benefit: Representative Wolf described a program allowing a Guard member to designate a dependent to use previously earned credits toward a postsecondary degree or certificate after Guard requests are satisfied and fund balance allows. Representatives raised and then said their concerns were allayed after conferring with Guard officials; the committee reported the bill favorably as amended.

- HB 2145 — Butler County fair board membership: Representative Collins presented legislation allowing the Butler County Commission to appoint five additional at‑large members, expanding the fair board to as many as 15 members. The bill applies only to Butler County; the committee reported it favorably as amended.

- HB 2215 — Lansing Penitentiary career campus: Representative Chuck Smith said the bill authorizes a public‑private career campus at Lansing Penitentiary to provide adult education, career and technical instruction and college credit to increase post‑release employability. The bill changes the private funding share from 25% to 50% so the project is funded on a 1:1 public‑private match; if passed it would take effect July 1, 2025. The committee reported the bill favorably.

Votes at a glance: Each bill above was the subject of a motion to report favorably; the chair called voice votes and the motions carried with the ayes prevailing. Several bills were explicitly reported "as amended" in committee.

What’s next: The Committee of the Whole report was adopted by the House and the affected measures will proceed in the House for further consideration. Clerks and committee reports reflect amendments for the items noted as passed "as amended."