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Minutes for HB2594 - Committee on Appropriations

Short Title

Supplemental appropriations for FY 2020 and FY 2021 for various state agencies.

Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 19, 2020

Chairman Waymaster opened the hearing on HB 2594 and HB 2597.

Amy Deckard, Legislative Research Department, presented the briefing on both bills (Attachment 1) .  HB 2594 includes adjusted funding for FY 2020 and FY 20201 for select agencies.  HB 2597 includes funding for FY 2021 for most agencies and capital improvement expenditures for several state agencies.  These bills do not include the Governors recommendation to reamortize the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) unfunded actuarial liability or delayed KPERS payments for the delayed State and School employer contributions, as this is included in a separate bill.  For FY 2020, the Governor's recommendation reflects an increase in all funds expenditures by $118.2 million and decreases expenditures from the State General Fund (SGF) by $34.0 million.  The Governor recommended increasing transfers from the SGF by $399.6 million to pay off the KPERS layering payments and to accelerate the payment of the Pooled Money Investment Board payment by one year.  The Governor's recommended revenue and expenditure adjustments will reflect an ending balance of $533.3 million.  For FY 2021, the Governor's recommendation is an expenditure increase of $1.1 billion above the FY 2020 estimate and includes $137.3 million for state aid to K-12 schools, $562.5 million for Medicaid expansion, $427.7 million for human services caseloads, $46.1 million for a 2.5 percent salary adjustment for Executive Branch employees, $17.1 million for salary adjustments for judges and various Judicial Branch personnel, $28.6 million for enhancements to the Board of Regents and Post Secondary Educational institutions, $22.1 million for enhancement initiative in the Department for Children and Families, $7.7 million to increase the number of correctional officers and expand the Lansing and Winfield Correctional Facilities, $80.8 million for the T-Works Program, and $14.5 million from the State Highway Fund for the purchase of two helicopters and one single-engine airplane.  The increases are partially offset by a $10.7 million decrease primarily from the elimination of IMPACT bond payments and reamortization of KPERS. The projected ending balance for FY 2021 is projected to be $627.6 million.  A review of expenditures by government function, authorized FTE by government function, and status of the SGF followed (See.attachment 1).

Amy Deckard responded to questions from Committee members.  The recommended pay increase for Executive Branch employees would not include Legislative or the Judicial Branch, or individual agency budgets. Shirley Murrow, Legislative Research Department, responded to questions form Committee members regarding the Career Technical Program.  She stated that SB 155 funding allows high school students to take college credits courses.  The program continues to grow, resulting in increased expenditures.  This funding in FY 2020 is $4.5 million and $8.5 million in FY 2021.  By paying off the IMPACT bond and PMIB, and layering KPERS this would free up $50 million, it was noted.  Regarding the $11 million for the KDADS, David Fye, Legislative Research Department, stated that this money was reappropriated from the prior year, which was spread among numerous programs, and the $15.3 million SGF decrease was based on fall caseload expenditure estimates.

Discussion followed by Committee members regarding Human Services caseloads and the estimating process.  It was noted further discussion on this issue will be provided during the budget presentation.

Chairman Waymaster closed the hearing on the bills, as there were no conferees.