Requiring legislative approval prior to any state agency seeking or implementing a public assistance program waiver or other authorization from the federal government that expands eligibility for any public assistance program or increases cost to the state or making certain changes in services for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

SB 161 requires Kansas state agencies to get explicit legislative approval before seeking or implementing any federal waiver that would expand public assistance eligibility (like Medicaid) or increase state costs. It directly affects state agencies managing programs such as Medicaid, preventing them from making these changes without a specific law passed by the legislature. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not apply to waivers already in place before that date. This creates a formal legislative checkpoint for significant federal program changes impacting state budgets and service access.