(Feb. 27, 2025) – Today, the House Appropriations Committee, chaired by Representative Troy Waymaster (R-Bunker Hill), received an update on the 2026 World Cup. Lindsay Douglas, director of integrated operations, highlighted that Kansas and Missouri have provided much assistance, with Kansas contributing $27 million out of $111 million in public funds. Roughly half of the world's population will watch. It is anticipated to be the largest event FIFA has hosted. Kansas City will be getting six matches, including a quarterfinal match. Douglas emphasized that this will increase tourism and traffic into many other surrounding communities, with likely 650,000 visitors, and approximately 54 percent likely to be international visitors between the ages of 30 and 49. The committee asked about local law enforcement and for other communities to host local watch parties.

The committee also heard about a Make My Move project from Ben Ledo, vice president of Enterprise Sales. The services are a marketing program, and he requests $3 million in appropriations to work with communities across the state.

The committee also held hearings on the following legislation:

House Bill 2237 authorizes hiring, recruitment and retention bonuses in state agencies' employee award and recognition program, increases the limitation on such award or bonus to $10,000, eliminates the secretary of administration's authority to adopt rules and regulations and requires such secretary to submit an annual report to certain legislative committees concerning such awards and bonuses.

Senate Bill 125 authorizes the payment of certain claims against the state.

The committee will meet again next week.