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Read. Follow. Verify.Kansas grants existing electric utilities right of first refusal for regional transmission line projects
Last action · April 10, 2026: Died in Committee
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What This Bill Proposed
Existing electric transmission owners would receive a to construct, upgrade, own, and maintain regional transmission lines that interconnect with their facilities. For projects with a need date of four years or more, the incumbent owner would be required to conduct a competitive bidding process for construction overseen by an independent evaluator appointed by the state corporation commission. Other electric transmission entities could step in and build the lines if the incumbent owner declines the right or is deemed unqualified.
The measure determines whether established utility companies automatically secure large-scale transmission projects or must compete with alternative developers, altering the framework for major electrical infrastructure buildouts in the state.
- Incumbent electric transmission owner rights of first refusal are a subject of ongoing regulatory discussion across state and federal jurisdictions regarding competition in transmission development. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Incumbent electric transmission owners
They receive a right of first refusal to construct and own qualifying transmission lines, subject to notice, certification, and competitive bidding requirements.
Other electric transmission entities
They are authorized to construct and own transmission lines if the incumbent owner declines the project or is deemed unqualified.
Municipally owned or operated utilities
Their existing rights to construct, upgrade, own, and maintain transmission facilities, substations, and controls used to serve load requirements remain unaffected.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies as an incumbent electric transmission owner under this measure?
What happens if an incumbent utility chooses not to build an approved transmission line?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died in committee.
Procedural history
3 actions- Apr 10, 2026HouseDied in Committee
- Feb 4, 2025HouseIntroducedIntroduced
- Feb 4, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to House Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.kslegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 60)
- Controversy50Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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