Read the full stored bill text
Session of 2026
HOUSE BILL No. 2523
By Representative Howe
1-22
AN ACT concerning higher education; authorizing affiliation among
Kansas universities and colleges; authorizing technical colleges and
community colleges to affiliate with Kansas universities; providing
procedures for such affiliations; amending K.S.A. 71-201, 71-204, 71-
501, 71-617, 71-1802, 72-3810, 74-32,413 and 76-712 and K.S.A.
2025 Supp. 71-222 and repealing the existing sections; also repealing
K.S.A. 74-32,433.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
New Section 1. As used in sections 1 through 4, and amendments
thereto:
(a) "Accredited independent institution" means a not-for-profit
institution of postsecondary education, the main campus of which is
located in Kansas, and that: (1) Is operated independently and not
controlled or administered by any state agency or any subdivision of the
state; (2) maintains open enrollment; and (3) is accredited by a nationally
recognized accrediting agency for higher education in the United States.
(b) "Affiliation" means:
(1) The association or connection of a state educational institution or
municipal university with another Kansas university or college in which
the direct or indirect control of the affiliating Kansas university or college
is determined by the affiliation agreement; and
(2) the association or connection of a technical college or community
college with a Kansas university or college in which the technical college
or community college is directly or indirectly under the control of the
affiliating Kansas university or college.
(c) "Community college" means any community college established
in accordance with chapter 71 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and
amendments thereto.
(d) "Community college campus" means the grounds and buildings of
the community college.
(e) "Governing body," when referring to a:
(1) State educational institution, means the state board of regents;
(2) municipal university, means the governing body of such
municipal university; and
(3) accredited independent institution, means the governing body of
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
HB 2523 2
such accredited independent institution.
(f) "Kansas university or college" means any:
(1) State educational institution;
(2) municipal university; and
(3) accredited independent institution.
(g) "Municipal university" means Washburn university of Topeka or
any other municipal university established under the laws of this state.
(h) "State educational institution" means the university of Kansas,
Kansas state university, Wichita state university, Emporia state university,
Pittsburg state university and Fort Hays state university.
(i) "Technical college" means a technical college designated pursuant
to K.S.A. 74-32,458, 74-32,460, 74-32,461, 74-32,462, 74-32,464 or 74-
32,465, and amendments thereto.
New Sec. 2. (a) Upon approval by the state board of regents or the
governing body of a municipal university, as applicable, and a majority
vote of the governing body of an accredited independent institution, a state
educational institution or municipal university may enter into agreements
to affiliate with an accredited independent institution.
(b) As part of the affiliation, the state educational institution or
municipal university may change its official designation. Whenever the
state educational institution or municipal university, or words of like
effect, is referred to or designated by any statute, contract or other
document, such reference or designation shall be deemed to apply to the
state educational institution or municipal university affiliated pursuant to
this section.
(c) (1) Except as otherwise provided herein, all of the powers and
duties established by law concerning the state educational institution or
municipal university shall be transferred to the affiliating state educational
institution or municipal university, subject to the supervision of the
governing board of the affiliating state educational institution or municipal
university and as provided in the affiliation agreement.
(2) Unless otherwise provided in the affiliation agreement, the state
board of regents or the governing body of a municipal university, as
applicable, shall:
(A) Oversee the operation of the state educational institution or
municipal university campus; and
(B) administer the funds of the state educational institution or
municipal university or moneys received from student tuition and fees, the
state or the United States for the purpose of the operation of the state
educational institution or municipal university campus.
(d) The affiliation plan between the state educational institution or
municipal university and the affiliating accredited independent institution
shall include provisions relating to the manner and terms upon which
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
HB 2523 3
faculty, employees and students will be transferred to the affiliating state
educational institution, municipal university or accredited independent
institution. Such provisions shall specify terms of employment and address
other personnel matters. Subject to the authorization of the governing
board of the affiliating state educational institution, municipal university or
accredited independent institution, all personnel of a state educational
institution or municipal university affiliated pursuant to this section who
are necessary to the operation of such affiliating state educational
institution, municipal university or accredited independent institution, in
accordance with the needs of the affiliating state educational institution,
municipal university or accredited independent institution, may become
personnel of the affiliating state educational institution, municipal
university or accredited independent institution. The employment of such
personnel shall be deemed uninterrupted.
(e) Any affiliation entered into pursuant to this section shall not affect
any contract, agreement or assurance in effect on July 1, 2026.
(f) (1) No suit, action or other proceeding, judicial or administrative,
lawfully commenced or that could have been commenced by or against an
affiliating state educational institution or municipal university prior to
affiliation, or by or against any personnel of such state educational
institution or municipal university, shall abate by reason of such affiliation.
Any such suit, action or other proceeding may be allowed to be maintained
by or against the affiliating state educational institution or municipal
university.
(2) No criminal action commenced or that could have been
commenced by a state educational institution or municipal university prior
to affiliation shall abate by reason of such affiliation.
(g) The affiliation plan between the affiliating state educational
institution, municipal university or accredited independent institution shall
include provisions relating to any indebtedness of the affiliating state
educational institution, municipal university or accredited independent
institution.
New Sec. 3. (a) Upon approval by the governing body of the Kansas
university or college, as applicable, and a majority vote of the governing
body of the technical college or community college, a Kansas university or
college may enter into agreements to affiliate with a technical college or a
community college.
(b) As part of the affiliation, the technical college or community
college may change its official designation. Whenever the technical
college or community college, or words of like effect, is referred to or
designated by any statute, contract or other document, such reference or
designation shall be deemed to apply to the technical college or
community college affiliated pursuant to this section.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
HB 2523 4
(c) (1) Except as otherwise provided herein, all of the powers and
duties established in the governing body of the technical college or the
board of trustees of the community college by law shall be transferred to
the affiliating Kansas university or college, subject to the supervision of
the governing body of the Kansas university or college.
(2) Unless otherwise provided in the affiliation agreement, the board
of trustees of an affiliated community college shall:
(A) Oversee the operation of the community college campus; and
(B) administer the funds of the community college or moneys
received from student tuition and fees, the state or the United States for the
purpose of the operation of the community college campus.
(3) Except as provided in subsection (k)(2) and upon affiliation of a
community college:
(A) No board of trustees of an affiliated community college or
governing board, president or chancellor of a Kansas university or college
that affiliated with a community college pursuant to this section shall have
the authority to levy any tax on the taxable tangible property of the
community college district; and
(B) any funding responsibility for the support, operation and
maintenance of the community college that had been provided through
taxes imposed on the community college district prior to affiliation shall
be imposed on the state.
(d) (1) The governing body of the technical college or the board of
trustees of the community college shall become the industry advisory
board to the president or chancellor of the affiliating Kansas university or
college.
(2) For each technical college that affiliates with a Kansas university
or college pursuant to this section, the president or chancellor of the
affiliating Kansas university or college shall appoint the members of the
industry advisory board. The members of the advisory board shall
represent the industry sectors that correspond to the programs offered by
the technical college affiliated pursuant to this section. For each
community college that affiliates with a Kansas university or college
pursuant to this section, the members of the board of trustees shall
continue to be elected in accordance with the provisions of article 14 of
chapter 71 of the Kansas statutes annotated, and amendments thereto.
(e) The industry advisory board shall:
(1) Review non-credit and credit programs with the president or
chancellor and senior leadership of the Kansas university or college to
ensure that such programs are aligned with current and emerging needs of
industry and the community for an educated and trained workforce; and
(2) provide input relating to changes in each member's industry sector
that affect academic programs.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
HB 2523 5
(f) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the following persons
admitted by a Kansas university or college into a technical college or
community college affiliated pursuant to this section shall not be subject to
the admission requirements of K.S.A. 76-717, and amendments thereto, or
the board of regents rules and regulations establishing qualified admission
criteria for state educational institutions:
(A) Persons admitted as degree-seeking students in career technical
education courses or programs terminating with an associate of applied
science degree; and
(B) persons admitted as nondegree-seeking students in career
technical education certificate programs.
(2) Persons admitted into a technical college or community college
affiliated with a Kansas university or college pursuant to this section who
subsequently seek to transfer into another school within the state
educational institution, or into a bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree
program, shall be subject to the admission requirements of K.S.A. 76-717,
and amendments thereto, and the board of regents rules and regulations
establishing qualified admission criteria for state educational institutions.
(g) (1) A technical college affiliated pursuant to this section shall
continue to be eligible for funding that is available to technical colleges to
the extent provided by law. The amounts of such funding are to be
determined in the same manner as provided by law for technical colleges.
(2) A community college affiliated pursuant to this section shall
continue to be eligible for funding that is available to community colleges
to the extent provided by law. The amounts of such funding are to be
determined in the same manner as provided by law for community
colleges.
(h) The affiliation agreement between the technical college or
community college and the affiliating Kansas university or college shall
include provisions relating to the manner and terms upon which faculty,
employees and students will be transferred to the affiliating Kansas
university or college. Such provisions shall specify terms of employment
and address other personnel matters. Subject to the authorization of the
governing board of the affiliating Kansas university or college, all
personnel of a technical college or community college affiliated pursuant
to this section who are necessary to the operation of such technical college
or community college, in accordance with the needs of the affiliating
Kansas university or college, may become personnel of the affiliating
Kansas university or college. The employment of such personnel shall be
deemed uninterrupted.
(i) The affiliation of a technical college or community college with a
Kansas university or college shall not affect any contract, agreement or
assurance in effect on July 1, 2026.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
HB 2523 6
(j) (1) No suit, action or other proceeding, judicial or administrative,
lawfully commenced or that could have been commenced by or against a
technical college or community college prior to affiliation, or by or against
any personnel of such technical college or community college, shall abate
by reason of such affiliation. Any such suit, action or other proceeding
may be allowed to be maintained by or against the affiliating Kansas
university or college.
(2) No criminal action commenced or that could have been
commenced by a technical college or community college prior to
affiliation shall abate by reason of such affiliation.
(k) The affiliation agreement between a community college and the
affiliating Kansas university or college shall include provisions relating to
any bond indebtedness of the community college. The affiliation
agreement may provide that either:
(1) The affiliating Kansas university or college shall assume and
agree to pay all of the bonded indebtedness of the affiliated community
college; or
(2) the bonded indebtedness of the affiliated community college shall
remain a charge upon the territory of the community college district.
(l) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the provisions of all
statutes of general application to area vocational schools, area vocational
technical schools or technical colleges shall apply to a technical college
affiliated pursuant to this section. Except as otherwise provided, the
provisions of all statutes of general application to community colleges
shall apply to a community college affiliated pursuant to this section.
New Sec. 4. The state board of regents or any governing body of an
affiliated Kansas university or college shall not create and implement any
service area for any state educational institution, municipal university,
community college, technical college or affiliated Kansas university or
college. On the effective date of this act, any policies or rules and
regulations that have been adopted concerning a service area are hereby
declared to be null and void and shall have no force and effect.
Sec. 5. K.S.A. 71-201 is hereby amended to read as follows: 71-201.
(a) The board of trustees, in accordance with the provisions of law and, the
rules and regulations of the state board of regents and an affiliation
agreement entered into pursuant to law, shall have custody of and be
responsible for the property of the community college and shall be
responsible for the operation, management and control of the college. The
board of trustees shall hold at least one regular meeting each month at a
time prescribed by the board. The board shall make an annual report in the
manner prescribed by the state board of regents. Members of the board of
trustees shall be paid subsistence allowances, mileage and other actual and
necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
HB 2523 7
(b) For effectuation of the purposes of this act, the board of trustees ,
in addition to such other powers expressly granted to it by law and subject
to the rules and regulations of the state board of regents , is hereby granted
the following powers:
(1) To select its own chairperson and such other officers as it may
deem desirable, from among its own membership. The secretary may be
chief administrative officer of the college.
(2) To sue and be sued.
(3) To determine the educational program of the college subject to
prior approval thereof as provided in this act and to grant certificates of
completion of courses or curriculum.
(4) To appoint and fix the compensation and term of office of a
president or chief administrative officer of the college.
(5) To appoint upon nomination of the president or the chief
administrative officer members of the administrative and teaching staffs, to
fix and determine within state adopted standards their specifications,
define their duties and to fix their compensation and terms of employment.
No community college teacher shall be required to meet licensure
requirements greater than those required in the state educational
institutions.
(6) Upon recommendation of the chief administrative officer, to
appoint or employ such other officers of the college, agents and employees
as may be required to carry out the provisions of law and to fix and
determine within state adopted standards their qualifications, duties,
compensation, terms of office or employment and all other items and
conditions of employment.
(7) To enter into contracts.
(8) To accept from any government or governmental agency, or from
any other public or private body, or from any other source, grants or
contributions of money or property which that the board may use for or in
aid of any of its purposes.
(9) To acquire by gift, purchase, lease-purchase, condemnation or
otherwise, and to own, lease, use and operate property, whether real,
personal, or mixed, or any interest therein, which that is necessary or
desirable for community college purposes. Any lease-purchase agreement
entered into under authority of this subsection shall be subject to the
conditions set forth in K.S.A. 10-1116c, and amendments thereto. The
term of any lease entered into under authority of this subsection may be for
not to exceed 10 years. Such lease may provide for annual or other
payment of rent or rental fees and may obligate the community college to
payment of maintenance or other expenses. Any lease or lease-purchase
agreement entered into under authority of this subsection shall be subject
to change or termination at any time by the legislature. Any assignment of
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
HB 2523 8
rights in any lease or lease-purchase made under this subsection shall
contain a citation of this section and a recitation that the lease or lease-
purchase agreement and assignment thereof are subject to change or
termination by the legislature. To the extent that the provisions of the cash-
basis and budget laws conflict with this subsection in such a manner as to
prevent the intention of this subsection from being made effective, the
provisions of this subsection shall control. This provision is subject to the
provisions of subsection (d).
(10) To enter into lease agreements as lessor of any property, whether
real, personal, or mixed, which that is owned or controlled by the
community college. Any such agreement may specify the purposes for
which the property may be used, require that the property be maintained
and operated by the lessee, and may contain such restrictions or limitations
on the use of the property, be entered into for such period of time , and
include such other terms and conditions as the board of trustees determines
to be necessary and proper. Every such agreement shall be subject to
change or termination at any time by the legislature. Any assignment of
rights under any such agreement shall be subject to approval by the board
of trustees and shall contain a citation of this section and a recitation that
the lease agreement and assignment of rights thereunder are subject to
change or termination by the legislature.
(11) To determine that any property owned by the college is no longer
necessary for college purposes and to dispose of the same such property in
such manner and upon such terms and conditions as provided by law.
(12) To exercise the right of eminent domain, pursuant to chapter 26
of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto.
(13) To make and promulgate such rules and regulations, not
inconsistent with the provisions of law or with rules and regulations of the
state board of regents, that are necessary and proper for the administration
and operation of the community college , and for the conduct of the
business of the board of trustees.
(14) To exercise all other powers, not inconsistent with the provisions
of law or with the rules and regulations of the state board of regents
which, that may be reasonably necessary or incidental to the
establishment, maintenance and operation of a community college.
(15) To appoint a member to fill any vacancy on the board of trustees
for the balance of the unexpired term. When a vacancy occurs, the board
shall publish a notice one time in a newspaper having general circulation
in the community college district stating that the vacancy has occurred and
that it such vacancy will be filled by appointment by the board not sooner
than 15 days after such publication.
(16) To contract with one or more agencies, either public or private,
whether located within or outside the community college district or
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
HB 2523 9
whether located within or outside the state of Kansas for the conduct by
any such agencies of education for students of the community college , and
to provide for the payment to any such agencies for their contracted
educational services from any funds or moneys of the community college,
including funds or moneys received from student tuition and fees, funds
received from the state of Kansas or the United States for education , or
taxes collected under K.S.A. 71-204, and amendments thereto. Any
contract made under this subsection with an institution of another state
shall be subject to the provisions of K.S.A. 71-202, and amendments
thereto.
(17) To authorize by resolution the establishment of a petty cash fund
in an amount not to exceed $1,000 , and to designate in such resolution an
employee to maintain such petty cash fund. The employee designated in
any resolution provided for in this subsection receiving such funds shall
keep a record of all receipts and expenditures from the fund , and shall ,
from time to time, and at the end of the fiscal year, prepare a statement for
the board showing all receipts, expenditures , and the balance in the petty
cash fund. The board of trustees may authorize the employee designated to
maintain any petty cash fund to make a claim for replenishment of the
fund to its original amount in advance of approval by the board of trustees
if, at any time during the period between regular monthly meetings of the
board of trustees, the balance remaining in the fund is insufficient to make
needed expenditures for any purpose for which the petty cash fund is
maintained. No petty cash fund may be replenished more than one time
during each period between regular monthly meetings of the board of
trustees. If a petty cash fund is replenished prior to the end of the fiscal
year in accordance with the foregoing authorization, the employee
authorized to maintain the petty cash fund shall keep an accurate record of
all expenditures made therefrom, and the purpose therefor, and such
authorized employee shall submit the record to the board of trustees at the
next regular monthly meeting thereof. The petty cash fund shall be
replenished by payment from the appropriate funds of the community
college to the petty cash fund upon proper claim. The fund shall be kept
separate from all other funds and shall be used only for authorized
expenditures, and itemized receipts shall be taken for each expenditure. No
part of such fund may be loaned or advanced against the salary of an
employee. All employees entrusted with such funds under this subsection
shall be bonded by the community college district.
(c) Subject to the provisions of subsection (d), the board of trustees
may purchase or otherwise acquire land or land and improvements and
may acquire, construct, reconstruct, repair or remodel improvements
thereon or additions thereto, including furnishings, equipment , and
architectural and incidental expense related thereto, and for such purposes ,
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
HB 2523 10
the board of trustees is authorized to issue and sell general obligation
bonds, the cumulative total not to exceed the following amounts: Where
the community college district has a taxable tangible valuation of less than
$90,000,000 or is located in a county designated as urban under the
provisions of K.S.A. 19-3524, and amendments thereto, not to exceed 5%
of the taxable tangible property of the community college district ,; and
where the community college district has a taxable tangible valuation of
more than $90,000,000 , not to exceed 3% except as provided above for
any community college district located in a county designated as urban
under the provisions of K.S.A. 19-3524, and amendments thereto, of the
taxable tangible property of the community college district. If any increase
in the valuation of a community college district results in an outstanding
bonded indebtedness in excess of that provided in this subsection, such
increase shall not constitute a violation of this subsection. No such bonds
shall be issued until the question of their issuance shall have been
submitted to a vote of the electors of the community college district at a
regular election or at a special election called for that purpose and the
majority of the electors voting on the proposition in such community
college district shall have voted in favor of the issuance of the bonds. Such
election shall be called, noticed and held and the bonds issued, sold,
delivered and retired in accordance with the provisions of the general bond
law except as herein otherwise expressly provided.
(d) (1) Except as provided in K.S.A. 74-32,433, and amendments
thereto, The board of trustees of a community college may purchase or
otherwise acquire land or land and improvements within : (A) the
community college district ; or (B) the service area of the community
college. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed or operate in any
manner to require a board of trustees to sell, convey or otherwise dispose
of land or land and improvements located outside the community college
district or the service area of the community college and owned or being
acquired by the community college on the effective date of this act July 1,
2013. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed or operate in any
manner to require a board of trustees to sell convey or otherwise dispose
of land or land and improvements located outside the service area of the
community college and owned or being acquired by the community college
on the effective date of any affiliation agreement entered into pursuant to
law.
(2) For the purposes of this subsection, "service area" means a
designated geographic area of the state established pursuant to agreement
of the presidents of the community colleges and adopted in policy by the
state board of regents.
Sec. 6. K.S.A. 71-204 is hereby amended to read as follows: 71-204.
(a) (1) For the purpose of community college maintenance and operation,
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
HB 2523 11
the board of trustees is authorized to levy a tax on the taxable tangible
property of the community college district , except as provided in
subsection (c).
(2) Such tax levy shall be the amount determined by the board of
trustees to be sufficient to finance that part of the budget of the community
college which that is not financed from any other source provided by law.
The budget of the community college shall be prepared and adopted as
provided by law, and the tax levy therefor shall be certified to the county
clerk of every county a part of the territory of which is in the community
college district.
(b) The tax levy authorized by subsection (a) shall be reduced (1) in
the 2001 fiscal year by an amount equal to 80% of the amount of the
difference between the amount of state aid received by the community
college in the 2000 fiscal year less an amount equal to 25% of the amount
of out-district tuition received by the community college in such fiscal
year and the amount of the state grant to which the community college is
entitled in the 2001 fiscal year and (2) in fiscal years 2002, 2003 and 2004
by an amount equal to 80% of the amount of the difference between the
amount of the state grant received by the community college in the
preceding fiscal year less an amount equal to 25% of the amount of out-
district tuition received by the community college in the 2000 fiscal year
and the amount of the state grant to which the community college is
entitled in the current fiscal year and (3) in each fiscal year after the 2004
fiscal year by an amount equal to 80% of the amount of the difference
between the amount of the state grant received by the community college
in the preceding fiscal year and the amount of the state grant to which the
community college is entitled in the current fiscal year.
(c) This section shall not apply to any community college or board of
trustees of a community college that affiliated with a Kansas university or
college pursuant to section 3, and amendments thereto.
Sec. 7. K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 71-222 is hereby amended to read as
follows: 71-222. The board of trustees of each community college shall
annually publish the following information on such community college's
website homepage with an easily identifiable link, which shall be titled,
"Taxpayer and student transparency data":
(a) The tuition rate for: (1) Students residing in the community
college district; (2) students residing outside the community college
district; (3) students residing outside the state of Kansas; and (4) students
residing outside the United States;
(b) the fees charged to: (1) Students residing in the community
college district; (2) students residing outside the community college
district; (3) students residing outside the state of Kansas; and (4) students
residing outside the United States;
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
HB 2523 12
(c) the total cost, excluding textbooks and housing costs, per credit
hour for each semester for: (1) Students residing in the community college
district; (2) students residing outside the community college district; (3)
students residing outside the state of Kansas; and (4) students residing
outside the United States;
(d) the percentage of students attending each campus operated by the
community college for: (1) Students residing in the community college
district; (2) students residing outside the community college district; (3)
students residing outside the state of Kansas; and (4) students residing
outside the United States;
(e) the enrollment percentage of: (1) Students residing in the
community college district; and (2) students residing outside the
community college district;
(f) the enrollment percentage of students residing in the service area
of the community college;
(g) the aggregate amount of property tax revenues collected for tax
levies imposed by the board of trustees of the community college for each
of the immediately preceding five fiscal years and the change in such
amount from year-to-year, expressed as a percentage;
(h)(g) the aggregate amount of mills levied by the board of trustees of
the community college for each of the immediately preceding five fiscal
years and the change in such amount from year-to-year, expressed as a
percentage; and
(i)(h) (1) subject to paragraph (2), the aggregate amount disbursed for
the two immediately preceding fiscal years for all institutional
scholarships, foundation scholarships and pell grants, and the total amount
disbursed for the two immediately preceding fiscal years for:
(A) Athletic scholarships for students residing in the community
college district;
(B) athletic scholarships for students residing outside the state of
Kansas;
(C) non-athletic scholarships for students residing in the community
college district; and
(D) non-athletic scholarships for students residing outside the state of
Kansas.
(2) No aggregate information required to be reported pursuant to
paragraph (1) shall be reported if such information could identify a student
with reasonable certainty.
Sec. 8. K.S.A. 71-501 is hereby amended to read as follows: 71-501.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (e), the board of trustees of any
community college is authorized to make an annual tax levy for a period of
not to exceed five years of not to exceed two mills upon all taxable
tangible property in the community college district for the purpose of
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
HB 2523 13
construction, reconstruction, repair, remodeling, additions to, furnishing
and equipping of community college buildings, architectural expenses
incidental thereto, and the acquisition of real property for use as building
sites or for educational programs. No levy shall be made under this section
until a resolution authorizing the levy is passed by the board of trustees
and published once each week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper
having general circulation in the community college district. The
resolution shall specify the mill rate of the tax levy and the period of time
for which the tax levy shall be made under authority thereof. After
adoption of the resolution, the levy may be made unless, within 60 days
following the last publication of the resolution, a petition in opposition to
the levy, signed by not less than 5% of the qualified electors of the
community college district, is filed with the county election officer of the
county in which the main campus of the community college is located. If a
petition is filed, the levy shall not be made without the question of levying
the same the tax levy having been submitted to and approved by a majority
of the qualified electors of the district voting at an election called for that
purpose or at the next general election. If a petition is filed and no election
is held, a new resolution authorizing a levy for the purposes specified in
this section may not be adopted for a period of one year after the filing of
the petition.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (e), whenever an initial
resolution has been adopted under subsection (a) and the resolution
specified a lesser mill rate than two mills, the board of trustees of the
community college may adopt a second resolution under the same
procedure as is provided in subsection (a) for the initial resolution and,
subject to the same conditions and for the same purposes as provided in
subsection (a), shall be authorized to make an additional tax levy in an
amount to be specified in the second resolution for the remainder of the
period of time specified in the initial resolution for the making of the levy
under authority thereof. Any second resolution shall be limited in amount
as specified in subsection (a), less such amount as was authorized in the
initial resolution, and not to exceed an aggregate amount of two mills in
any one year. If any such resolution is adopted and the tax levy therein
specified is authorized under the conditions specified in subsection (a), the
amount of bonds which that may be issued under K.S.A. 71-502, and
amendments thereto, may be increased accordingly.
(c) Except as provided in subsection (e), the board of trustees of any
community college which that has made a tax levy under this section may
initiate, at any time after the final levy is certified to the county clerk under
any current authorization, procedures to renew its authority to make a like
annual tax levy in the amount, upon the conditions, and in the manner
specified in subsection (a).
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
HB 2523 14
(d) As used in this act, "unconditionally authorized to make a tax levy
under authority of article 5 of chapter 71 of Kansas Statutes Annotated"
means that the board of trustees of the community college has adopted a
resolution under this section , and has published the same, and such
resolution stating either that such resolution was not protested or that it
such resolution was protested and an election was held by which the tax
levy of the community college was approved.
(e) This section shall not apply to any community college or board of
trustees of a community college that affiliated with a Kansas university or
college pursuant to section 3, and amendments thereto. If a community
college board of trustees has authorized an annual tax levy pursuant to
this section and affiliates with a Kansas university or college pursuant to
section 3, and amendments thereto, during the period in which such levy is
authorized, the levy shall not be made after the date of affiliation. The
board of trustees shall notify the county clerk of the termination of the
levy.
Sec. 9. K.S.A. 71-617 is hereby amended to read as follows: 71-617.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (c), the board of trustees of any
community college may levy a tax in each year for a period of not to
exceed five (5) years of not to exceed one-fourth ( 1/4) mill on all taxable
tangible property within the district to maintain and operate an adult basic
education program at a level approved by the state board. In no event shall
the tax levy authorized hereunder be at a rate which that will produce an
amount in excess of fifty thousand dollars ( $50,000). Such tax levy shall
be in addition to all other tax levies authorized or limited by law. Proceeds
from such tax levy shall be deposited in the adult education fund of the
community college, which fund is hereby established. All moneys received
by a community college for adult basic education shall be deposited in the
adult education fund. The expenses of a community college attributable to
adult basic education shall be paid from the adult education fund.
(b) No tax levy shall be made under authority of this section until a
resolution authorizing such a levy is passed by the board of trustees and
published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper
having general circulation in the community college district, and such
resolution shall specify the millage rate of such tax levy and the period of
time for which such tax levy shall be made under authority thereof. After
the adoption of such resolution such levy may be made unless, within
ninety (90) days following the last publication of the resolution, a petition
in opposition to such levy, signed by not less than five percent (5%) of the
qualified electors of such community college district, is filed with the
county election officer of the county in which the main campus of the
community college is located. In the event that such a petition is filed,
such levy shall not be made without the question of levying the same
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
HB 2523 15
having been submitted to and been approved by a majority of the qualified
electors of the district voting at an election which shall be called for that
purpose or at the next general election.
(c) This section shall not apply to any community college or board of
trustees of a community college that affiliated with a Kansas university or
college pursuant to section 3, and amendments thereto.
Sec. 10. K.S.A. 71-1802 is hereby amended to read as follows: 71-
1802. As used in K.S.A. 71-1801 through 71-1810, and amendments
thereto:
(a) "Community college" means any community college established
in accordance with chapter 71 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and
amendments thereto.
(b) "Community college operating grant" means the operating grant
provided for under subsection (a) of K.S.A. 71-620 (a), and amendments
thereto, prior to fiscal year 2012.
(c) (1) "Credit hour" means the basic unit of collegiate level
instruction, as determined by the state board, in a subject or course offered
by an eligible institution at a postsecondary level not higher than those
programs or courses normally offered to freshmen and sophomores in
four-year public institutions of postsecondary education, in a program that
has been approved by the state board.
(2) The term "credit hour" does not include instruction in a program
or course taken by a student enrolled for audit or not for postsecondary
credit, or in any program or course not approved by the state board.
(3) The state board shall determine whether the programs and courses
offered are at the level of freshmen and sophomore programs and courses
offered in the state educational institutions and shall not approve for
funding any program or course offered at a higher level.
(d) "Eligible institution" or "institution" means any community
college, technical college or, the institute of technology or any technical
college or community college that affiliated with a Kansas university or
college pursuant to section 3, and amendments thereto.
(e) "Institute of technology," "institute" or "Washburn institute of
technology" means the institute of technology at Washburn university.
(f) "Kansas university or college" means the same as defined in
section 1, and amendments thereto.
(g) "Municipal university" means Washburn university of Topeka or
any other municipal university established under the laws of this state.
(h) "Non-tiered course" means any postsecondary credit-bearing
course offered by an eligible institution and identified by the state board as
not meeting the definition of a tiered technical course. Non-tiered courses
include courses that are generally designed to: (1) Contribute to academic
knowledge or skills across multiple disciplines and occupations, such as
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
HB 2523 16
communication, writing, mathematics, humanities, social or behavioral
science and natural or physical science courses, some of which may be
considered for transfer as general education credit toward a baccalaureate
degree; (2) contribute to general knowledge or skills in areas such as
critical thinking and reasoning, problem solving, use of technology and
teamwork skills; (3) provide instruction in basic or foundational skills
necessary for individuals to effectively participate in technical programs;
(4) prepare individuals for certification or licensure exams or re-
certifications recertifications and skill updates; or (5) allow individuals to
explore various career opportunities. Seminars, workshops or other
courses that are supplemental to the primary instruction required for the
occupationally specific technical program shall be considered non-tiered
courses, unless otherwise specified by the state board.
(g)(i) "State board of regents" or "state board" means the state board
of regents provided for in the constitution of this state and established by
K.S.A. 74-3202a, and amendments thereto.
(h)(j) "State educational institution" means the university of Kansas,
Kansas state university, Wichita state university, Emporia state university,
Pittsburg state university and Fort Hays state university.
(k) "Technical college" means a technical college designated pursuant
to K.S.A. 74-32,458, 74-32,460, 74-32,461, 74-32,462, 74-32,464 or 74-
32,465, and amendments thereto.
(i)(l) "Technical program" means any program of study comprised of
a sequence of tiered technical courses and non-tiered courses, which
program is identified by the state board as a technical program for funding
purposes. Technical programs must shall : (1) Be designed to prepare
individuals for gainful employment in current or emerging technical
occupations requiring other than a baccalaureate or advanced degree; (2)
lead to technical skill proficiency, an industry-recognized credential, a
certificate or an associate degree; and (3) be delivered by an eligible
institution.
(j)(m) "Tiered technical course" means a postsecondary credit-bearing
course included in the sequence of courses comprising a technical
program, which course is itself designed to provide competency-based
applied instruction to prepare individuals with occupationally specific
knowledge and skills necessary for employment, and which that the state
board has identified as a tiered technical course.
(k)(n) "Tiered technical course credit hour" means a credit hour in a
tiered technical course.
(l)(o) "Washburn institute of technology operating grant" means any
legislative appropriation designated for non-tiered courses delivered by the
Washburn institute of technology.
Sec. 11. K.S.A. 72-3810 is hereby amended to read as follows: 72-
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
HB 2523 17
3810. (a) Students admitted to a career technical education course or
program which that is conducted by the school district in which the
student is enrolled may be charged fees but shall not be charged tuition.
(b) Postsecondary students admitted to a career technical education
course or program shall pay tuition and fees as provided by laws
applicable thereto.
(c) (1) Secondary students admitted to a career technical education
course or program which that is conducted by a community college,
technical college or , institute of technology or any technical college or
community college that affiliated with a Kansas university or college
pursuant to section 3, and amendments thereto, may be charged fees , but
shall not be charged tuition.
(2) Each school academic year, to the extent there are sufficient
moneys appropriated to the career technical education secondary program,
the state board of regents shall distribute state funds to community
colleges, technical colleges , any technical college or community college
that affiliated with a Kansas university or college pursuant to section 3,
and amendments thereto, and the Washburn institute of technology for the
cost associated with secondary students enrolled in postsecondary career
technical education programs as determined by the state board of regents.
(3) For purposes of this subsection:
(A) "Community college" means any community college established
in accordance with chapter 71 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and
amendments thereto.
(B) "Fees" means those charges assessed against a student by a
community college, technical college or , the institute of technology , a
Kansas university or college for student services, such as health clinics,
athletic activities and technology services, or for books, supplies or other
materials necessary for a particular course or program, the expense of
which is not covered by tuition.
(C) "Institute of technology" means the institute of technology at
Washburn university.
(D) "Kansas university or college" means the same as defined in
section 1, and amendments thereto.
(E) "Municipal university" means Washburn university of Topeka or
any other municipal university established under the laws of this state.
(F) "Secondary student" means a pupil who: (i) Has not attained a
high school diploma or a general educational development (GED)
credential; and (ii) is regularly enrolled in and attending a public or private
secondary school.
(G) "State educational institution" means the university of Kansas,
Kansas state university, Wichita state university, Emporia state university,
Pittsburg state university and Fort Hays state university.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
HB 2523 18
(E)(H) "Technical college" means a technical college designated
pursuant to K.S.A. 74-32,458, 74-32,460, 74-32,461, 74-32,462, 74-
32,464 or 74-32,465, and amendments thereto.
(F)(I) "Tuition" means those charges assessed against a student by a
community college, technical college, any technical college or community
college that affiliated with a Kansas university or college pursuant to
section 3, and amendments thereto, or the institute of technology on a per
credit hour, per course or per term basis, and that are charged to cover the
general expense of providing instructional services.
(d) Students admitted to a vocational career technical education
course or program which that is not conducted by the school district in
which the student is enrolled shall be charged tuition and fees determined
in accordance with subsection (e), subject however to the following:
(1) Tuition or fees, or tuition and fees may be paid for the student in
accordance with any agreement made under K.S.A. 72-3814, and
amendments thereto; or
(2) if the tuition of a student is not paid under paragraph (1) of this
subsection, the tuition of the student shall be paid by the school district in
which the student is enrolled. No school district shall pay tuition for a
student who is a postsecondary student, and no school district shall be
required to pay tuition or fees of a student who is eligible to have tuition
and fees for the course or training that the student selects paid by any state
or federal agency from moneys, funds or appropriations made available
under any one or more state or federal programs. Any state agency
administering any one or more such programs shall pay such tuition and
fees upon proper application by a student therefor.
(e) All tuition and fees charged for career technical education by any
board shall be in such amounts as are authorized by rules and regulations
adopted by the state board , which shall establish general guidelines for
tuition and fee schedules in career technical education courses and
programs, except that tuition of postsecondary students shall be fixed in
accordance with K.S.A. 72-4433*, and amendments thereto. The particular
tuition and fee schedule of every career technical education program shall
be subject to annual approval of the state board. A current complete
schedule of tuition and fees for each career technical education course and
program of each board as approved by the state board shall be maintained
on file in the office of the state board, and shall be open for public
inspection at any reasonable time.
Sec. 12. K.S.A. 74-32,413 is hereby amended to read as follows: 74-
32,413. As used in this act:
(a) "Board," "state board," "school year" and "technical college" have
the meanings respectively ascribed thereto mean the same as defined in
K.S.A. 74-32,407, and amendments thereto.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
HB 2523 19
(b) "Career technical education capital outlay aid" means state
financial aid distributed under this act by the state board to an eligible
institution for the purpose of construction, reconstruction, repair,
remodeling, additions to, furnishing and equipping of buildings,
architectural expenses incidental thereto, the acquisition of buildings and
building sites and the acquisition of equipment.
(c) "Eligible institution" or "institution" means any technical college,
Coffeyville community college, Cowley county community college,
Dodge City community college, Highland community college, Hutchinson
community college, Johnson county community college, Kansas City,
Kansas community college, Pratt community college, Seward county
community college and, the institute of technology at Washburn university
and any technical college or community college that affiliated with a
Kansas university or college pursuant to section 3, and amendments
thereto.
(d) "Kansas university or college" means the same as defined in
section 1, and amendments thereto.
(e) "Municipal university" means Washburn university of Topeka or
any other municipal university established under the laws of this state.
(f) "State educational institution" means the university of Kansas,
Kansas state university, Wichita state university, Emporia state university,
Pittsburg state university and Fort Hays state university.
Sec. 13. K.S.A. 76-712 is hereby amended to read as follows: 76-712.
Except as otherwise provided by act of the legislature, the state
educational institutions are separate state agencies and state institutions
and shall be controlled by and operated and managed under the
supervision of the board of regents. For such control, operation,
management or supervision, the board of regents may make contracts and
adopt orders, policies or rules and regulations and do or perform such
other acts as are authorized by law or are appropriate for such purposes,
except that no state educational institution, or campus thereof, shall be
closed, combined or merged with any other state educational institution,
for administrative or management or other purposes, except as authorized
in section 2 or 3, and amendments thereto, or specifically authorized by
appropriations or other act of the legislature.
Sec. 14. K.S.A. 71-201, 71-204, 71-501, 71-617, 71-1802, 72-3810,
74-32,413, 74-32,433 and 76-712 and K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 71-222 are
hereby repealed.
Sec. 15. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its
publication in the statute book.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40