The House Committee on Higher Education Budget on Friday voted to report HB 2195 favorably; the bill creates the Kansas Technical College Operating Grant Fund under the Kansas Board of Regents but does not specify a dollar appropriation in statute.

Vice Chair Sanders moved to report the bill favorably; the motion was seconded and carried by voice/hand vote. Committee discussion noted that the fiscal year 2025 appropriation tied to the technical college operating grants has been $10.5 million in previous material (about $1.5 million per school under the current allocation cited by a committee member), while HB 2007 referenced an appropriation of $7 million for a related line in one reference. Committee members said putting the fund name in statute would provide continuity and visibility for technical colleges from session to session even if appropriations fluctuate.

Representative Potter and others voiced caution about leaving the new fund without a dollar amount in statute, saying that could make it easier for future budgets to omit funding. Revisor Walters and other staff explained that if the fund is created in statute but appropriation amounts remain in the annual budget, appropriators can control annual spend limits in the appropriations process.

The committee carried the motion to report HB 2195 favorably; committee members closed the meeting afterward.