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HB 2037KANSASSession 2025-2026State BillSigned into law
Enacted

Kansas Legislature Expands Tourism Council and Lowers Public Grant Minimums

Original title: AN ACT concerning economic development; relating to tourism; increasing the membership of the council on travel and tourism appointed by the governor and updating the house committee assignment required for the house members of the council from the committee on agriculture and natural resources to the committee on commerce, labor and economic development; removing the restriction on the percentage of such funds granted to any single entity or type of entity; amending K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 32-1410 and 32-1420 and repealing the existing sections.

Last action · April 10, 2025: Approved by Governor on Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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Public stanceCommunity reactions are separate from the official record and reporting.

What This Bill Does

Tourism grant applicants can now qualify for funding under a lowered minimum allocation of 50%, down from 75%, for public and tax-exempt entities. The state also expands the Council on Travel and Tourism from 17 to 20 voting members, alters legislative committee assignments for house members, and raises the quorum requirement to 11 members.

Why it matters

Grant applicants, public entities, and private tourism organizations face new distribution rules and altered board representation following publication in the statute book.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Kansas Tourism Entities

Public, private, and non-profit entities applying for state matching grants face altered distribution minimums and single-entity grant caps.

Directly affected

Trade Associations

Organizations such as the travel industry and restaurant associations submit formal lists of nominees for governor-appointed council seats.

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

How many voting members now serve on the council on travel and tourism?
The council now consists of 20 voting members, an increase from the previous 17.
What changes were made to the tourism matching grant fund distribution?
Not less than 50% of all moneys granted under the program must be allocated to public entities or entities exempt from taxation under section , down from the previous requirement of 75%.
Are race tracks or casinos eligible for tourism matching grants?
No, race track facilities and establishments operating are explicitly excluded from the definition of a tourist attraction.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

22 actions
  1. Apr 10, 2025HouseEnrolled
    Approved by Governor on Tuesday, April 1, 2025
  2. Mar 27, 2025House
    Engrossed on Thursday, March 27, 2025
  3. Mar 27, 2025House
    Enrolled and presented to Governor on Friday, March 28, 2025
  4. Mar 25, 2025House
    Concurred with amendments
  5. Mar 19, 2025Senate
    Committee of the Whole - Now working on
  6. Mar 19, 2025Senate
    Committee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by
Show 16 earlier actions
  1. Mar 19, 2025SenateFloor
    Committee of the Whole - Amendment by was adopted
  2. Mar 19, 2025SenateFloor
    Committee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
  3. Mar 19, 2025Senate
    fa_fabc_912
  4. Mar 19, 2025SenateFloor
    Emergency Final Action - Passed as amended
  5. Mar 14, 2025SenateFloor
    Committee Report recommending bill be passed by
  6. Feb 26, 2025Senate
    Hearing: Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 1:30 PM — Room 159-S
  7. Feb 5, 2025SenateCommittee
    Referred to Senate Committee on Commerce
  8. Feb 4, 2025House
    ccal_rcc_850
  9. Feb 4, 2025HouseFloor
    Final Action - Passed
  10. Feb 4, 2025SenateIntroduced
    Received and Introduced
  11. Jan 31, 2025House
    ccal_rcc_820
  12. Jan 30, 2025House
    ccal_rcc_820
  13. Jan 29, 2025HouseFloor
    Committee Report recommending bill be passed and placed on Consent Calendar by
  14. Jan 24, 2025House
    Hearing: Friday, January 24, 2025, 1:30 PM — Room 346-S
  15. Jan 21, 2025HouseIntroduced
    Introduced
  16. Jan 21, 2025HouseCommittee
    Referred to House Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development

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

State Historical Society, Travel Industry Association of Kansas, House Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development and 6 more
OrganizationState Historical Society“State agency with an ex officio member serving on the council”Map →
OrganizationTravel Industry Association of Kansas“Association providing nominations for council members”Map →
OrganizationHouse Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development“Standing house committee assigned to appoint members to the council on travel an”Map →
OrganizationKansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association“Association providing nominations for lodging and restaurant industry representa”Map →
OrganizationKansas Sampler Foundation“Foundation providing nominations for council members”Map →
OrganizationNational Independent Venue Association“Association providing nominations for council members”Map →
OrganizationKansas Museums Association“Association providing nominations for council members”Map →
OrganizationPetroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association of Kansas“Association providing nominations for council members”Map →
OrganizationKansas Sport Hunting Association“Association providing nominations for council members”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.kslegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance45
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy10
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz15
    Current news / social attention level

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