Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SR1718

Introduced
3/25/25  
Passed
3/25/25  
Enrolled
3/26/25  

Caption

Commemorating Dr. David J. Spittal's retirement as President of MidAmerica Nazarene University.

Summary

Senate Resolution 1718 is a ceremonial resolution commemorating the retirement of Dr. David J. Spittal as President of MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas. The resolution highlights his career in Christian higher education, including prior leadership roles at Southern Wesleyan University and Indiana Wesleyan University, and notes that he became MNU’s fifth president in 2012. The resolution praises Dr. Spittal’s accomplishments at MNU, including a 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation, major fundraising for student scholarships through the President’s Honors event, and the award of a $10 million Title III Strengthening Institutions Grant from the U.S. Department of Education. It also emphasizes the university’s growth, community engagement, and the large number of graduates who have gone on to serve in professions across Kansas.

Impact

This resolution does not change state law, create new programs, or appropriate funds. Its effect is purely commemorative, expressing the Senate’s recognition of Dr. Spittal’s service and directing that enrolled copies be sent to Senator Thomas. The only practical impact is symbolic acknowledgment of MidAmerica Nazarene University’s role in Kansas higher education and the contributions of its retiring president.

Sentiment

The sentiment around the resolution is strongly positive and appreciative. The text frames Dr. Spittal as an effective and influential leader whose tenure brought accreditation success, fundraising gains, institutional growth, and broader community benefit. Because the measure is honorary and noncontroversial, there is no indication of opposition in the available record, and the sponsorship by multiple senators suggests broad support.

Contention

There are no notable points of contention in the bill text, voting history, or committee materials provided. The resolution is a standard tribute measure, and the available context shows no recorded debate, amendments, or divided votes. Any discussion would likely have centered on Dr. Spittal’s accomplishments and the university’s impact rather than on policy disagreements.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SR1702

A resolution honoring the life, career and trailblazing achievements of Kansas icon Ed Dwight.

KS SR1703

Recognizing November 14, 2024, as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.

KS SB6

Providing a sales tax exemption for sales of electricity to residential premises by municipally owned or operated utilities.

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 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 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 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 HB2002

Expanding medical assistance eligibility and enacting the cutting healthcare costs for all Kansans act.

KS SCR1602

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

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.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.