Session of 2026

Supplemental note on SENATE BILL no. 362

As Recommended by Senate Committee on Local Government, Transparency and Ethics

Brief*

SB 362 would direct state officers—defined in the bill as the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and Commissioner of Insurance—to keep and maintain a complete record of all travel locations and expenses of each state officer that were paid or reimbursed by the state each fiscal year. [Note: “State officer” would mean the same as for the State Ethics Law.] The bill would direct state officers to make this information available to the public upon request and make this information subject to the Kansas Open Records Act.

Background

The bill was introduced by Senator Shallenburger.

Senate Committee on Local Government, Transparency and Ethics

In the Senate Committee hearing, proponent testimony was provided by Senator Shallenburger, who stated that the bill is about transparency that state officers are being good stewards of Kansans’ tax dollars.

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 Division of the Budget indicates the bill would have no fiscal effect. The agencies listed as state officers keep most of the required information in the state’s central accounting system and may have to alter internal recordkeeping to make sure the data points required by the bill are available upon request, but likely they would be able to meet the requirements of the bill with existing staff and budget.

Kansas open records act; travel records