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Session of 2026
SENATE BILL No. 437
By Committee on Education
2-2
AN ACT concerning education; relating to technical colleges; establishing
the technical college funding task force; requiring such task force to
design and make recommendations for a pilot outcomes-based funding
model for technical colleges.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
Section 1. (a) There is hereby established the technical college
funding task force. The task force shall be composed of the following 15
members:
(1) The president of Manhattan area technical college or the
president's designee;
(2) the president of Washburn institute of technology or the
president's designee;
(3) the president of Salina area technical college or the president's
designee;
(4) the president of Wichita state university campus of applied
sciences and technology or the president's designee;
(5) the president of Flint Hills technical college or the president's
designee;
(6) the president of Fort Hays state university 3 north central Kansas
technical college or the president's designee;
(7) the president of Fort Hays state university 3 northwest Kansas
technical college or the president's designee;
(8) one member appointed by the secretary of commerce;
(9) one member appointed by the speaker of the house of
representatives;
(10) one member appointed by the majority leader of the house of
representatives;
(11) one member appointed by the speaker pro tem of the house of
representatives;
(12) one member appointed by the minority leader of the house of
representatives;
(13) one member appointed by the president of the senate;
(14) one member appointed by the majority leader of the senate; and
(15) one member appointed by the minority leader of the senate.
(b) The technical college funding task force shall:
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(1) Develop a pilot outcomes-based state funding model for technical
colleges that aligns state investment with measurable outcome metrics;
(2) establish measurable outcome metrics for technical colleges and
their impact on academic success, workforce outcomes, economic
development and community stability and revitalization. Such outcome
measures may include, but are not limited to, academic progress and
completion, dual and concurrent enrollment and early postsecondary
success, industry credentials and licensure, workforce entry and retention,
critical-need, high-wage and emerging-need occupation placement; and
(3) prepare and submit a report to the legislature on or before January
31, 2028. Such report shall include recommendations on establishing a
pilot technical college funding model to test and validate the impact of the
outcomes-based criteria, additional appropriations for such pilot funding
model, the timing and method of implementation of such pilot funding
model and any other recommendations related to technical college
funding.
(c) (1) The pilot funding model developed by the task force shall:
(A) Recommend an amount of additional moneys to be appropriated
for such funding model;
(B) develop an outcomes-based method of distribution of the
recommended additional moneys to technical colleges based on the
outcome metrics established by the task force;
(C) ensure appropriate distribution of additional state moneys across
technical colleges; and
(D) align technical college funding with strategic state goals in
economic development, rural revitalization and workforce development
and expansion.
(2) The pilot funding model developed by the task force may include
additional funding sources or mechanisms to enhance and stabilize funding
to technical colleges, including, but not limited to, enrollment-based
funding and operating grants.
(d) (1) Members appointed to the task force shall be appointed on or
before December 31, 2026. The chairperson of the task force shall be
selected from among the membership of the task force by the members of
the task force. Any vacancy in the membership of the task force shall be
filled by appointment in the same manner prescribed by this section for the
original appointment.
(2) A quorum of the task force shall be 8 members. All actions of the
task force shall be taken by a majority of members present when there is a
quorum.
(3) The task force may meet at any time and at any place within the
state upon the call of the chairperson.
(4) The staff of the office of revisor of statutes, the legislative
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SB 437 3
research department, the division of legislative administrative services, the
state board of regents and the state department of education shall provide
assistance as may be requested by the task force.
(5) If approved by the legislative coordinating council, members of
the task force who attend meetings of the task force shall be paid amounts
for expenses, mileage and subsistence as provided in K.S.A. 75-3223(e),
and amendments thereto.
Sec. 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its
publication in the statute book.
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