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SB 353KANSASSession 2025-2026State BillSigned into law
Enacted

Kansas establishes official railroad hall of fame and selection committee in Wichita

Original title: AN ACT designating the official Kansas railroad hall of fame for the purpose of celebrating the rich railroad heritage of Kansas and the Kansans who were and are leaders in such industry; setting the location of such hall of fame at the great plains transportation museum in Wichita; establishing the Kansas railroad hall of fame selection committee; prescribing powers and duties of the committee.

Last action · April 9, 2026: Enrolled and presented to Governor on Friday, April 3, 2026

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

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What This Bill Does

Kansas creates the official Kansas railroad hall of fame at the Great Plains Transportation Museum in Wichita and establishes a selection committee to induct up to two individuals annually.

Why it matters

Establishes a new state-sanctioned cultural institution with a dedicated selection committee, public nomination process, and authority to solicit donations and charge fees for induction ceremonies.

Background
  • The Great Plains Transportation museum is located in Wichita and focuses on preserving rail and transportation history in the region. context

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

Great Plains Transportation Museum

Serves as the designated official site and repository for the hall of fame and its executive director sits on the selection committee.

Directly affected

Railroad industry employees and workers

Eligible for nomination and induction into the hall of fame for contributions to rail service or heritage.

Directly affected

Kansas Department of Transportation

Required to assist the selection committee with the siting and establishment of outdoor signage upon request.

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

Where will the Kansas railroad hall of fame be located?
It is located at the Great Plains Transportation Museum in Wichita, Kansas.
Who manages the hall of fame?
Management is vested in the Kansas railroad hall of fame selection committee, which includes representatives from the museum, the state historical society, gubernatorial appointees, the transportation workers union, and the Kansas Railroad Association.
Who is eligible to be inducted?
Individuals who worked in the Kansas railroad industry or manufactured rail-related products in the state, and who contributed significantly to rail service or the preservation of rail heritage in Kansas.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

25 actions
  1. Apr 9, 2026Senate
    Enrolled and presented to Governor on Friday, April 3, 2026
  2. Apr 9, 2026SenateEnrolled
    Approved by Governor on Thursday, April 9, 2026
  3. Mar 27, 2026SenateFloor
    Conference Committee Report was adopted
  4. Mar 24, 2026House
    Conference committee report now available
  5. Mar 24, 2026HouseFloor
    Conference Committee Report was adopted
  6. Mar 16, 2026HouseFloor
    Motion to accede adopted; Representative Francis, Representative Essex, Representative Helgerson, , appointed as conferees
Show 19 earlier actions
  1. Mar 12, 2026House
    Committee of the Whole - Now working on
  2. Mar 12, 2026HouseFloor
    Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
  3. Mar 12, 2026HouseFloor
    Committee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
  4. Mar 12, 2026HouseFloor
    Motion to advance to Emergency Final Action adopted
  5. Mar 12, 2026HouseFloor
    Emergency Final Action - Passed as amended
  6. Mar 12, 2026Senate
    Nonconcurred with amendments; Conference Committee requested; appointed , and
  7. Mar 10, 2026HouseFloor
    Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by
  8. Mar 3, 2026House
    Hearing: Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 1:30 PM — Room 582-N
  9. Feb 24, 2026HouseIntroduced
    Received and Introduced
  10. Feb 24, 2026HouseCommittee
    Referred to House Committee on Transportation
  11. Feb 18, 2026SenateFloor
    Final Action - Passed as amended
  12. Feb 17, 2026Senate
    Committee of the Whole - Now working on
  13. Feb 17, 2026SenateFloor
    Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
  14. Feb 17, 2026SenateFloor
    Committee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
  15. Feb 12, 2026SenateFloor
    Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by
  16. Feb 11, 2026Senate
    Hearing: Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 8:30 AM — Room 546-S
  17. Feb 2, 2026Senate
    Withdrawn from Senate Committee on Transportation; Referred to Senate Committee on Transportation
  18. Jan 22, 2026SenateCommittee
    Referred to Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs
  19. Jan 21, 2026SenateIntroduced
    Introduced

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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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, Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Union, Great Plains Transportation Museum and 2 more
OrganizationState Historical Society“The executive director serves ex officio on the selection committee.”Map →
OrganizationSheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Union“Appoints one member to the selection committee.”Map →
OrganizationGreat Plains Transportation Museum“Designated as the official site of and repository for the Kansas railroad hall o”Map →
OrganizationKansas Department of Transportation“Assists with the siting and establishment of outside displays upon request.”Map →
OrganizationKansas Railroad Association“Appoints one member to the selection committee.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.kslegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance25
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy5
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz15
    Current news / social attention level

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