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SB 353 Kansas Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Designating an official Kansas railroad hall of fame and establishing the Kansas railroad hall of fame selection committee.

SB 353 designates the Great Plains Transportation Museum in Wichita as the official site for the Kansas Railroad Hall of Fame, commemorating individuals who shaped Kansas' railroad history. It establishes a selection committee (including museum and historical society directors, industry representatives, and public members) to annually honor two Kansans annually who significantly contributed to the state's railroad industry or heritage. The committee will review nominations detailing candidates' work with Kansas railroads, manufacturing, or preservation efforts. This is a ceremonial bill with no budgetary impact or policy changes, solely focused on recognizing historical contributions.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 21, 2026 Signed Apr 9, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Amended by House Committee on Transportation → As Amended by Senate Committee · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to streamline the composition of the Kansas Railroad Hall of Fame selection committee by removing specific union and association representatives. Additionally, the amendment clarifies that appointed members can be reappointed but are limited to two consecutive terms, and it simplifies the language regarding the governor's removal authority.
REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for one representative from the sheet metal, air, rail and transportation workers union.

Removed the requirement for one representative from the Kansas railroad association.

Added a limit stating that members cannot serve more than two consecutive terms.

Simplified the text regarding the governor's power to remove a member.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
21
Key actions
15
Committee
9
Apr 9, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor on Thursday, April 9, 2026
upper
Mar 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Conference Committee Report was adopted; Yea 38, Nay 1, Absent 1
upper
Mar 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Conference Committee Report was adopted; Yea 123, Nay 0, Absent 2
lower
Mar 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Conference committee report now available
lower
Mar 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Motion to accede adopted; Rep. Shannon Francis, Rep. Robyn R. Essex and Rep. Henry Helgerson appointed as conferees
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Nonconcurred with amendments; Conference Committee requested; appointed Sen. Mike Petersen, Sen. Jeff Klemp and Sen. Ethan Corson
upper
Mar 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Emergency Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea 114, Nay 4, Absent 6
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Motion to advance to Emergency Final Action adopted
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by House Committee on Transportation
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Committee
Referred to House Committee on Transportation
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Introduced
Received and Introduced
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea 40, Nay 0
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
upper
Feb 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Senate Committee on Transportation
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
Withdrawn from Senate Committee on Transportation; Referred to Senate Committee on Transportation
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
Referred to Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Introduced
Introduced
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.