The House Committee on Higher Education Budget voted Friday to recommend that the Appropriations Committee grant several bonding-authority requests from state universities, including a refinancing for the University of Kansas and new or expanded debt caps for several capital projects.

Chairman Turner opened the committee by presenting a one-page summary of requests and the Kansas Development Finance Authoritys 2024 debt study. He said the KU refinancing of a Central District project would save about 7% and that requests also included a $60 million cap for the School of Architecture phase one, $100 million in bonding authority for new student housing at KU, and up to $60 million for a Wichita State project tied to Cessna Stadium. He said the Board of Regents and the Development Finance Authority would complete additional approvals if the legislature grants authority.

The committee discussed the potential risks of expanded bonding while enrollment trends are uncertain. "I worry about, you know, especially housing projects and things like that, the potential to have overcapacity on campus eventually," Representative Fairchild said, adding that excess capacity could create liabilities for institutions and taxpayers if enrollment declines. Fairchild also cited a past instance where Kansas State said it had relied on an oral assurance tied to debt service and later sought state budget support.

Other members described bonding as a standard financing tool. "Bonding is just like getting a mortgage," Representative Wagner said. "You're in on some long term asset. There's a logic to it." Representative Amex said he thought the listed projects were appropriate for debt financing and moved that the committee recommend granting bonding authority for the projects outlined.

Vice Chair Sanders seconded the motion. The committee carried the motion by voice/hand vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript. Chairman Turner said he would carry the committees recommendation to Appropriations and that the requests could be considered either as an amendment to the budget bill or in a trailer/cleanup bill later in the session.

Clarifying details from the committee record: KU refinance expected to save about 7%; School of Architecture phase one cap $60,000,000; KU student housing cap $100,000,000; Wichita State request up to $60,000,000; Kansas Development Finance Authority produced a 2024 debt study referenced on page 9 of the materials. The committee did not record a formal appropriation or bond issuance; it made a recommendation to the Appropriations Committee.

The committee moved next to separate pieces of legislation. The recommendation to Appropriations will be reflected in the Appropriations Committees consideration and any subsequent floor amendments or trailer bills.