SESSION OF 2024
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON HOUSE BILL NO. 2551
As Amended by Senate Committee on Ways
and Means

Brief*
HB 2551, as amended, would authorize expenditures
totaling $49,343 from existing resources in FY 2024 to pay
the following claims against the State:
● $16 from the El Dorado Correctional Facility for an
inmate’s clothing that went missing from laundry
services;
● $43 from the Hutchinson Correctional Facility for
food items stolen when an inmate’s cell was left
unsecured;
● $118 from the Hutchinson Correctional Facility for
an inmate’s stolen electronic devices;
● $23 from the Hutchinson Correctional Facility for
an inmate’s stolen shoes and a watch;
● $25 from the Lansing Correctional Facility for an
inmate’s clothing lost during transfer to another
correctional facility;
● $20 from the Larned State Correctional Facility for
an inmate’s clothing that went missing from laundry
services;

____________________
*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
 ● $1,509 from the Larned State Hospital for damages
to the claimant’s vehicle sustained from a collision
with an agency forklift;
● $5 from the Larned State Hospital for the untimely
delivery of a patient’s television channel guide
magazine;
● $2,000 from the Department of Wildlife and Parks
for damages to the claimant’s vehicles sustained
from a falling tree at a Clinton State Park campsite;
and
● $45,583 in motor fuel tax refund claims. [Note:
Refunds are allowed for taxes paid on fuel used for
school buses and off-highway purposes such as
farming (KSA 79-3453). These refunds go through
the claims process if not filed with the Department
of Revenue within one year of fuel purchase.]
The bill would require a claimant to sign a release
attesting satisfaction of the claim prior to issuance of
payment.
The bill would be in effect upon publication in the
Kansas Register.

Background
The bill was introduced by the Joint Committee on
Special Claims Against the State (Joint Committee).
During the 2023 Interim, the Joint Committee met three
times and, excluding motor vehicle fuel tax refunds, heard 63
claims, of which 55 claims, or 87.5 percent, were filed against
the Department of Corrections or specific correctional
facilities. Of the 63 claims heard, the Joint Committee
recommended payment for 9 claims.
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House Committee on Appropriations
In the House Committee hearing on February 1, 2024,
proponent testimony was provided by Representative
Humphries, chairperson of the Joint Committee, who stated
that although only certain claims are recommended for
payment, all claimants are afforded the opportunity for a
public hearing. The proponent clarified that a motor fuel
refund is allowable for a certain percentage of fuel used as
power take-off to operate auxiliary equipment on a vehicle,
such as the mixing components on a cement truck.

Senate Committee on Ways and Means
In the Senate Committee hearing on March 19, 2024, no
testimony was provided.
The Senate Committee amended the bill to make
technical corrections concerning the names of a claimant and
a fund.

Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
Budget on the bill, enactment of the bill as introduced would
authorize expenditures totaling $49,343, including $1,760
from the State General Fund (SGF), to pay claims against the
State. Such expenditures would come from existing SGF
appropriations or special revenue funds.
Any fiscal effect associated with enactment of the bill is
not reflected in The FY 2025 Governor’s Budget Report.
Appropriations; claims; Department of Corrections; Department of Wildlife and Parks;
Larned State Hospital


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Statutes affected:
Enrolled - Law effective May 30, 2024: