SESSION OF 2023
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON SENATE BILL NO. 11
As Recommended by Senate Committee on
Federal and State Affairs

Brief*
SB 11 would authorize the Capitol Preservation
Committee to develop and approve the Ad Astra Plaza
(Plaza) on capitol area grounds. The Plaza would include a
life-size sculpture of the Ad Astra statute that tops the State
Capitol Building, bronze plaques, and donor bricks.
The Ad Astra Sculpture Fund (Fund) was initially
established in 1995 (SB 15). SB 11 would designate the Fund
as a no-limit special revenue fund until June 30, 2023, under
the Department of Administration. The bill would also amend
funding provisions to indicate the Fund may be expended on
the Plaza rather than the pedestal and sculpture alone.
The bill would authorize the Secretary of Administration
to receive and expend moneys from grants, gifts,
contributions, or bequests made for the purpose of creating,
constructing, or maintaining the Ad Astra sculpture and Plaza.
The bill also specifies no public moneys could be expended
for the purpose of creating, constructing, or maintaining the
plaza.
The bill would be in effect upon publication in the
Kansas Register.

Background
SB 11 was prefiled for introduction by Senator Bowers.
____________________
*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
Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs
In the Senate Committee hearing, proponent testimony
was provided by Senator Bowers, a representative of the
Kansas State Historical Society and Chair of the Capitol
Preservation Committee, and a private citizen. The
proponents provided background information, stating when
the Ad Astra statute was placed on the dome, the artist
created a smaller replica version of the statute that was
intended to be placed in the Plaza along with bronze plaques
and donor bricks, but these have not yet been installed. They
stated the bill would allow funds to be donated to complete
the project.
No other testimony was provided.
The Senate Committee recommended the bill be placed
on the Consent Calendar.

Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
the Budget on the bill, the Department of Administration
indicates enactment of the bill would have no fiscal effect
because the Plaza would be constructed with funding from
gifts, grants, or contributions.


Ad Astra Plaza; Ad Astra; Capitol Preservation Committee; State Capitol; Department
of Administration


2- 11


Statutes affected:
As introduced: 75-2256
Enrolled - Law effective March 16, 2023: 75-2256
Enrolled: 75-2256