Division of the Budget
Landon State Office Building Phone: (785) 296-2436
900 SW Jackson Street, Room 504 adam.c.proffitt@ks.gov
Topeka, KS 66612 Division of the Budget http://budget.kansas.gov
Adam Proffitt, Director Laura Kelly, Governor


March 1, 2023


The Honorable Francis Awerkamp, Chairperson
House Committee on Welfare Reform
300 SW 10th Avenue, Room 152-S
Topeka, Kansas 66612
Dear Representative Awerkamp:
SUBJECT: Fiscal Note for HB 2255 by House Committee on Welfare Reform
In accordance with KSA 75-3715a, the following fiscal note concerning HB 2255 is
respectfully submitted to your committee.
HB 2255 would revise the Municipal Housing Law to require a municipality or housing
authority to implement work requirements, as set forth in the bill, for an able-bodied adult to apply
for housing assistance or federal funds distributed by the municipality or housing authority. The
municipality or housing authority would also be directed to adopt rules and regulations to
implement the work requirements. In addition, the municipality or housing authority would be
required to apply with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development by
January 1, 2025, for approval of implementing the work requirements.
The Kansas Human Rights Commission believes there is a conflict between the provisions
of HB 2255 and the Kansas Act Against Discrimination. For example, if an “able-bodied” renter
is given preference over a household where one of the adults in the household is staying at home
to care for a healthy child over the age of four months, the latter adult could file a complaint under
the Kansas Act Against Discrimination alleging discrimination based on familial status. In FY
2022, the Commission received eight complaints of housing discrimination, none alleging
discrimination based on familial status. The Commission is unable to estimate the number of
complaints that could be generated as a result of enactment of HB 2255. However, if the number
of complaints increases, the Commission would be unable to perform its duties within existing
resources and would request additional funding. Any fiscal effect associated with HB 2255 is not
reflected in The FY 2024 Governor’s Budget Report.
The Kansas Association of Counties indicates that HB 2255 could limit the number of
people who are able to receive housing assistance from counties with housing authorities, which
The Honorable Francis Awerkamp, Chairperson
Page 2—HB 2255

could affect available revenue. The counties with housing authorities would have to adopt rules
and regulations to implement the work requirements for housing assistance; however, the
Association is unable to estimate the fiscal effect of implementing the bill’s provisions. The
League of Kansas Municipalities indicates HB 2255 would require municipalities or housing
authorities to develop and implement new rules and procedures to operate housing projects which
could require more time and training for city-appointed officials, thereby increasing costs;
however, the League is unable to estimate a fiscal effect.


Sincerely,

Adam Proffitt
Director of the Budget

cc: Ruth Glover, Human Rights Commission
Wendi Stark, League of Kansas Municipalities
Jay Hall, Kansas Association of Counties
Sherry Rentfro, Department of Commerce
Kim Holter, Department for Children & Families
Leigh Keck, Department for Aging & Disability Services
Vicki Jacobsen, Judiciary


Statutes affected:
As introduced: 17-2337, 17-2345