(Jan. 29, 2024) – Today, the Senate Committee on Transparency and Ethics, chaired by Sen. Elaine Bowers (R-Concordia), heard agency budgets for the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board, Kansas State Board of Healing Arts, Kansas State Board of Nursing and Kansas Board of Pharmacy.

The committee heard overviews from agency staff and the Kansas Department of Legislative Research to review the governor's budget recommendations and agency enhancement requests.

The committee asked about the difference in licensing facilities, as well as individuals. The committee inquired as to the number of physicians practicing in Kansas. They also asked about market rates for nurses in Kansas and those working as traveling nurses out of state. The Kansas Board of Pharmacy informed the committee they have been awarded two grants to keep the funding of K-TRACS intact. They may request a budget adjustment once those funds are awarded.

The committee accepted the budgets as proposed by the governor. The committee's recommendations will now go before the full Ways and Means Committee.