SESSION OF 2023
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON HOUSE BILL NO. 2234
As Amended by Senate Committee on
Commerce

Brief*
HB 2234, as amended, would increase the cost
thresholds for state building projects at which a negotiating
committee must be convened for the selection of
architectural, engineering, or land surveying services to $1.5
million and provide for future increases to the thresholds that
would begin in FY 2025 based upon increases in the
consumer price index for all urban consumers as published
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of
Labor.
[Note: Current law sets the cost threshold at $1.0 million
for the Department of Administration and $500,000 for all
other state agencies.]
The bill would also limit the costs applying to the
thresholds from the total project costs to the construction
costs of the project.
The bill would be in effect upon publication in the
Kansas Register.

Background
The bill was introduced by the House Committee on
Commerce, Labor and Economic Development at the request
of a representative of the State Board of Regents.
____________________
*Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research
Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental
note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at
http://www.kslegislature.org
House Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic
Development
In the House Committee hearing, proponent testimony
was provided by representatives of the American Council of
Engineering Companies of Kansas, American Institute of
Architects of Kansas, Department of Administration,
Department of Transportation, and State Board of Regents.
The proponents generally stated enactment of the bill would
reduce administrative costs of building projects and was
appropriate to bring the previously enacted thresholds in line
with inflation since their enactment.
No other testimony was provided.
The House Committee amended the bill to provide for
future increases based upon inflation.

Senate Committee on Commerce
In the Senate Committee hearing, proponent testimony
was provided by representatives of the American Council of
Engineering Companies of Kansas, American Institute of
Architects of Kansas, Department of Administration,
Department of Transportation, and State Board of Regents.
The proponents generally stated enactment of the bill would
reduce administrative costs of building projects and was
appropriate to bring the previously enacted thresholds in line
with inflation since their enactment.
No other testimony was provided.
The Senate Committee amended the bill to make it
effective upon publication in the Kansas Register.


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Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
the Budget on the bill, as introduced, the Department of
Administration indicates the bill would not have a fiscal effect
on agency operations, but would allow for projects to be
completed more efficiently. The Department of Transportation
indicates the bill would have a fiscal effect on the agency by
streamlining the process for engaging in relevant services.
The State Board of Regents indicates enactment of the bill
would reduce time spent by negotiating committees and time
and funding spent by qualified firms in responding to
negotiating committees.
Any fiscal effect associated with the bill is not reflected
in The FY 2024 Governor’s Budget Report.
State construction projects; negotiating committees; cost thresholds


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Statutes affected:
As introduced: 75-1253, 75-5804
As Amended by House Committee: 75-5804, 75-1253
As Amended by Senate Committee: 75-5804, 75-1253