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Minutes for SB276 - Committee on Appropriations

Short Title

Adjusting the biannual transfer of certain balances in the motor carrier license fees fund to the state highway fund.

Minutes Content for Tue, Mar 6, 2018

Chairman Waymaster opened the hearing on SB 276.

Karen Kapusta-Pufahl, Legislative Research Department, presented the bill brief.  This bill adjusts the biannual transfer of certain balances in the motor carrier license fee fund to the State Highway Fund.  In response to questions from committee members, she stated that the Division of Budget indicates that there would be no fiscal impact to the budget.  The Department of Transportation did not budget this transfer for FY 2018 and FY 2019, as the department knew that a bill was forthcoming.  Currently, all unencumbered balances over $700,000 would go to the State Highway Fund.  This bill would raise this amount from balances over $700,000 to balances of over $2.8 million.The agency expects to make a transfer of $800,000 per year going forward, it was noted.

Gary Davenport, Deputy Director of Transportation, presented testimony as a proponent of the bill on behalf of the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) (Attachment 1).  The current statute created a timing and cash flow issue for making required transfers, and maintaining sufficient funding to operate the Transportation Division.  He stated that the $2.8 million would allow for the transfer to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the KCC operating budget, andretain the $4.3 million from the Unified Carrier Registration program (UCR).

Gary Davenport responded to questions from committee members regarding the timeframe for transfers.  By raising the cap from $700,000 to $2.8 million, the commission would be able to meet budget needs, and would not impact the Highway Fund as the balance evens out when the transfers are made.

Chairman Waymaster closed the hearing on the bill.