Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2560

Introduced
1/27/26  
Refer
1/27/26  
Report Pass
2/12/26  
Engrossed
2/18/26  
Refer
2/19/26  
Report Pass
3/12/26  
Enrolled
4/9/26  

Caption

Concerning postsecondary education; authorizing the state board of regents to sell and convey certain real property in the city of Manhattan, Riley county, Kansas, on behalf of Kansas state university, granting authority to state educational institutions regarding transactions involving contracts, easements and the procurement of goods and services, exempting the state educational institutions from statutes governing such transactions and authorizing legislators to request copies of certain documents.

Impact

The bill, if enacted, will significantly alter how state educational institutions manage transactions involving procurement of goods and services. It allows for a more autonomous approach to contracting and procurement without the need to adhere to strict state regulations, which could speed up operational decision-making. Institutions can engage in competitive bidding processes or other procurement practices as per their own regulatory policies, which may promote localized decision-making tailored to specific institutional needs.

Summary

House Bill 2560 authorizes the state board of regents to sell specific real property located in Manhattan, Kansas, on behalf of Kansas State University. Additionally, the bill expands the authority of state educational institutions concerning procurement processes and easements. This legislation allows these institutions to enter agreements and contracts deemed necessary for operations, effectively exempting them from certain state laws governing such transactions. The intent behind the bill is to streamline processes for state educational institutions, thereby enhancing operational efficiency.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 2560 appears largely positive, especially among those advocating for more autonomy for educational institutions. Proponents argue that the bill enables greater flexibility and responsiveness in managing institutional needs which can lead to enhanced operational capacity. However, some concerns pertain to accountability and oversight given the reduced regulatory constraints, leading to calls for careful consideration in the execution of this authority to ensure that the institutions act in the public interest.

Contention

Notable points of contention within the discussions of HB 2560 include concerns regarding the potential for diminished oversight of state educational institutions in their procurement practices. While proponents see the expanded powers as necessary for efficiency, critics argue that this could lead to issues surrounding transparency and accountability, particularly if the institutions conduct transactions outside traditional state procurement laws. The requirement for attorney general approval for property transactions is seen as a safeguard to ensure proper oversight.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SB1

Modifying income tax rates for individuals, exempting all social security benefits from Kansas income tax, increasing the Kansas standard deduction and the Kansas personal exemption, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, decreasing the privilege tax normal tax, excluding internal revenue code section 1031 exchange transactions as indicators of fair market value for property tax valuation purposes, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund and abolishing the local ad valorem tax reduction fund and the county and city revenue sharing fund.

KS HB2001

Authorizing the secretary of commerce to enter into agreements with major professional sports franchises to establish STAR bond projects for a major professional sports complex, providing for additional revenue sources, expanding the powers and discretion of the secretary and making other changes to the STAR bonds financing act to facilitate such projects, limiting the secretary’s authority to approve such projects to one year unless extended by the legislative coordinating council, authorizing the Kansas development finance authority to issue STAR bonds for such projects, transferring funds under certain circumstances from the state gaming revenues fund to the attracting professional sports to Kansas fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and, if approved by the legislative coordinating council, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

KS SCR1604

Proposing to amend section 1 of article 11 of the constitution of the state of Kansas to limit property tax valuation increases for real property and personal property mobile homes.

KS SCR1603

Proposing to amend section 1 of article 11 of the constitution of the state of Kansas to limit property tax valuation increases for residential property.

KS SCR1602

Approving the creation of a port authority in Wyandotte County Kansas.

KS SB2

Eliminating the income limit to qualify for the subtraction modification exempting social security benefits, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, citing the increased property tax homestead refund claim section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, decreasing the normal privilege tax rate, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, decreasing the rate of ad valorem tax imposed by a school district; providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund, reducing the state rate of tax on sales of food and food ingredients and modifying the percent credited to the state highway fund from revenue collected.

KS HB2003

Establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, modifying the definition of household income and increasing the appraised value threshold for eligibility of seniors and disabled veterans related to increased property tax claims and citing the section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, providing property tax exemptions for certain personal property including watercraft, marine equipment, off-road vehicles, motorized bicycles and certain trailers, excluding internal revenue code section 1031 exchange transactions as indicators of fair market value, providing for certain exclusions from the prohibition of paying taxes under protest after a valuation notice appeal and providing four prior years' values on the annual valuation notice.

KS SB5

Authorizing counties to impose an earnings tax.

KS HB2004

Authorizing counties to propose an earnings tax for ballot question.

KS SB7

Authorizing federally licensed firearm dealers, in addition to county sheriffs, to receive applications for concealed carry licenses and forward such applications to the attorney general, prohibiting sheriffs from assessing any fee related to application services and allowing dealers to assess a fee related to application services not to exceed $20.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.