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chapter-73•Chapter 73 — Soldiers, Sailors and Patriotic Emblems
chapter-73K.S.A. ch. 73Code1 janv. 1900
Unofficial online text published by the Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes; the printed volumes of the Kansas Statutes Annotated are the authoritative version. Current through the 2025 session laws.
History: L. 1921, ch. 255, § 1; R.S. 1923, 73-101; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 200, § 1; L. 1923, ch. 5, § 1 (Special Session); R.S. 1923, 73-102; L. 1939, ch. 280, § 1; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 200, § 2; R.S. 1923, 73-103; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 200, § 3; R.S. 1923, 73-104; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 200, § 4; L. 1923, ch. 201, § 1; R.S. 1923, 73-105; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 6, § 1 (Special Session); R.S. 1923, 73-106; L. 1938, ch. 65, § 1; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 6, § 2 (Special Session); R.S. 1923, 73-107; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 6, §§ 3, 4 (Special Session); R.S. 1923, 73-108, 73-109; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 6, §§ 5, 6 (Special Session); R.S. 1923, 73-110, 73-111; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 202, § 1; R.S. 1923, 73-112; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 203, §§ 1, 2; R.S. 1923, 73-113, 73-114; Repealed, L. 1925, ch. 245, § 1; May 28.
History: L. 1925, ch. 245, § 2; L. 1933, ch. 286, § 15; L. 1935, ch. 263, § 1; L. 1937, ch. 320, § 1; L. 1937, ch. 329, § 8; L. 1941, ch. 342, § 1; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 203, §§ 3, 4; R.S. 1923, 73-115, 73-116; Repealed, L. 1925, ch. 245, § 1; May 28.
History: L. 1923, ch. 204, §§ 1, 2; R.S. 1923, 73-117, 73-118; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 204, § 3; R.S. 1923, 73-119; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 204, § 4; R.S. 1923, 73-120; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 204, §§ 5, 6; R.S. 1923, 73-121, 73-122; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 204, § 7; R.S. 1923, 73-123; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 204, § 8; R.S. 1923, 73-124; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 205, § 1; R.S. 1923, 73-125; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1937, ch. 321, § 1; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 205, § 3; R.S. 1923, 73-127; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 205, § 4; R.S. 1923, 73-128; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 205, § 5; R.S. 1923, 73-129; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 205, § 6; R.S. 1923, 73-130; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 205, § 7; R.S. 1923, 73-131; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 205, § 8; R.S. 1923, 73-132; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 206, § 1; R.S. 1923, 73-133; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 206, § 2; R.S. 1923, 73-134; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 207, § 1; R.S. 1923, 73-135; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 207, §§ 2, 3; R.S. 1923, 73-136, 73-137; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 208, § 1; R.S. 1923, 73-138; L. 1937, ch. 322, § 1; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 208, § 2; R.S. 1923, 73-139; L. 1937, ch. 322, § 2; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 209, § 1; R.S. 1923, 73-140; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 209, § 2; R.S. 1923, 73-141; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 210, § 1; L. 1923, ch. 7, § 1 (Special Session); R.S. 1923, 73-142; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 7, § 2 (Special Session); R.S. 1923, 73-143; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 7, § 3 (Special Session); R.S. 1923, 73-144; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 7, § 4 (Special Session); R.S. 1923, 73-145; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 8, § 1 (Special Session); R.S. 1923, 73-146; L. 1925, ch. 246, § 1; L. 1927, ch. 283, § 1; L. 1929, ch. 246, § 1; L. 1931, ch. 277, § 1; L. 1933, ch. 269, § 1; L. 1935, ch. 265, § 1; L. 1937, ch. 323, § 1; L. 1939, ch. 281, § 1; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 9, § 1 (Special Session); R.S. 1923, 73-147; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1923, ch. 211, §§ 1, 2; R.S. 1923, 73-148; Repealed, L. 1965, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
(a) As used in this act:
(1) "Veteran" means:
(A) A person who served in the active military, naval, air or space service, including those groups and individuals listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.7, and who was discharged or released therefrom under an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions;
(B) any person who has been issued the purple heart by the United States government or who:
(i) Served in the active military, naval, air or space service, including those groups and individuals listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.7, and who was discharged therefrom under an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions;
(ii) received a disability that was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, air or space service, including those groups and individuals listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.7; and
(iii) has a disability certified by the Kansas office of veterans services as being service-connected, pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq. or 10 U.S.C. § 1201 et seq.;
(C) the spouse of a service-connected disabled veteran with a permanent and total combined service-connected evaluation percentage of 100%;
(D) the surviving spouse of a veteran who died in the line of duty in the active military, naval, air or space service; and
(E) the spouse of a prisoner of war, as defined by K.S.A. 75-4364, and amendments thereto.
Veteran preference in government employment shall not apply to any person who retired from the active military service with the pay grade of 04 or above unless the person retired due to wounds received in combat or is a disabled veteran with a service-connected disability evaluation rating equal to or greater than 10%, pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq. or 10 U.S.C. § 1201 et seq.
(2) "Competent" means a good faith determination that the person is likely to successfully meet the performance standards of the position based on what a reasonable person knowledgeable in the operation of the position would conclude from all information available at the time the determination is made. The basis for such determination shall include experience, training, education, licensure, certification or other factors determined by the decision-making authority as appropriate to determine the applicant's overall qualification and ability to successfully meet the performance standards of the position. The decision-making authority shall document such factors prior to the initiation of the selection process.
(3) "Disabled veteran" means a person who:
(A) Served in the active military, naval, air or space service, including those groups and individuals listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.7, and was discharged or released therefrom under an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions;
(B) received a disability that was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, air or space service, including those groups and individuals listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.7; and
(C) has a service-connected evaluation percentage, pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq. or 10 U.S.C. § 1201 et seq.
(b) In grateful recognition of the services, sacrifices and sufferings of veterans who served in the army, navy, air force, coast guard or marine corps of the United States in world war I and world war II, and of persons who have served with the armed forces of the United States during the military, naval and air operations in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan or other places under the flags of the United States and the United Nations or under the flag of the United States alone, and have been honorably discharged therefrom, the provisions of this section are enacted.
(c) Veterans shall be preferred for initial employment and first promotion in the state government of Kansas, and in the counties and cities of this state, if competent to perform such services. Any veteran thus preferred shall not be disqualified from holding any position in such service on account of the veteran's age or by reason of any physical or mental disability as long as such age or disability does not render the veteran incompetent to perform the duties of the position applied for. When any veteran shall apply for appointment to any such position, place, or employment, the officer, board or person whose duty it is or may be to appoint a person to fill such position, place or employment shall, if the applicant be a veteran of good reputation, and can competently perform the duties of the position applied for by the veteran, consider the veteran for appointment to such position, place, or employment. Within 30 days of filling a position, eligible veterans who have applied and are not hired shall be notified by certified mail or personal service that they are not being hired. Such notice also shall advise the veteran of any administrative appeal available.
(d) The provisions of this act shall not be applicable to any persons classed as conscientious objectors. The provisions of this act shall not be controlling over the provisions of any statute, county resolution or city ordinance relating to retirement or termination on the basis of age, of employees of the state or any county or city. Whenever under any statute, county resolution or city ordinance, retirement or termination on the basis of age of any employee is required at a certain age or is optional with the employer at a certain age, such statute, resolution or ordinance shall be controlling and shall not be limited by this section.
(e) (1) All notices of job openings, if any, and all applications for employment, if any, by the state and any city or county in this state shall state that the job is subject to a veteran's preference, how the preference works and how veterans may take advantage of the preference and post a written statement of:
(A) The qualifications for such position;
(B) any preferred qualifications of such position;
(C) performance standards for the position; and
(D) the process that will be used for selection.
(2) A veteran, veteran's spouse or surviving spouse who qualifies for the veteran's preference, desiring to use a veteran's preference shall provide the hiring authority with a copy of the veteran's DD form 214, DD form 1300, NGB form 22 or other official discharge document recognized by the department of veterans affairs under which the spouse qualifies for the preference.
(f) Every employment center of the state and any city or county human resources department, if any, shall openly display documents that indicate that veterans are eligible for a preference in their initial employment and any first promotion within the employment of the governmental entity.
(g) Any veteran who alleges that a state agency, city or county has not provided the veterans preference as required by this act, after exhausting any available administrative remedy, may bring an action in the district court.
History: L. 1886, ch. 160, § 1; L. 1901, ch. 186, § 1; L. 1907, ch. 374, § 1; L. 1919, ch. 280, § 1; R.S. 1923, 73-201; L. 1945, ch. 301, § 1; L. 1951, ch. 429, § 1; L. 1970, ch. 306, § 1; L. 2008, ch. 99, § 1; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 22; L. 2025, ch. 97, § 9; July 1.
All rights, privileges and immunities extended to and enjoyed by honorably discharged soldiers of any of the wars in which this country has engaged, previous to the great world war, are confirmed, extended to, and hereby made to apply to the honorably discharged soldiers, sailors and marines, and others who honorably served with the armed forces of the United States in the world war, including former American citizens who served in the armies of governments associated with the United States in the world war, and who have been repatriated; it being the express intent of this statute that all of the provisions of the Laws of 1885, chapter 184 [73-301 to 73-303], Laws of 1886, chapter 160 [73-201, 73-203, 73-204], Laws of 1889, chapter 234 [73-211], Laws of 1897, chapter 157 [73-207, 73-208], Laws of 1901, chapters 186 [73-201] and 289 [73-211, 73-212], Laws of 1903, chapter 362 [73-417 to 73-422], Laws of 1907, chapters 374 [73-201, 73-202], 375 [73-304, 73-305] and 376 [73-301], Laws of 1909, chapters 221 [73-306 to 73-308] and 222 [73-207], Laws of 1911, chapter 289 [73-424 to 73-426], and Laws of 1915, chapter 102 [73-430 to 73-432], including any amendments thereto, shall be extended and made to apply, as hereinbefore provided.
History: L. 1921, ch. 257, § 1; March 7; R.S. 1923, 73-205.
(a) On submission to the adjutant general of an original discharge or other official record of military service of any soldier, sailor or marine of the United States, or of a copy of such discharge or official record of military service certified to by a city, county or state official as being a true copy of original document, the adjutant general shall place such record on file in the adjutant general's office. If original documents are submitted, the adjutant general shall cause true copies of such original documents to be made and shall file the copies in the adjutant general's office and the originals shall be returned to the person who submitted them.
(b) Upon request of a soldier, sailor or marine whose records of military service have been filed in the adjutant general's office, the adjutant general shall cause to be furnished a certificate of military service in accordance with such records. The adjutant general shall not charge any fee for the certificate if the certificate is requested by a person who exhibits correspondence from the United States veterans administration or the Kansas office of veterans services that indicates that such person is applying for benefits from the United States veterans administration and that such person needs the certificate to obtain such benefits.
(c) The adjutant general shall transfer to the state archives of the Kansas state historical society for permanent retention any records of military service on file in the adjutant general's office, in accordance with the records retention and disposition schedule for such records approved by the state records board.
History: L. 1919, ch. 281, § 1; R.S. 1923, 73-209; L. 1995, ch. 24, § 2; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 7; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 23; July 1.
For the purposes of this act, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(a) "Act" means K.S.A. 73-213 through 73-219, and amendments thereto.
(b) "Appointive authority" means the person, board, commission or other authority vested by law with power to appoint a successor for an officer when a vacancy occurs in the office or position held by such officer. If no person, board, commission, or other authority is vested by law with power to appoint a successor for an officer when a vacancy occurs then "appointive authority" means the governor of the state of Kansas.
(c) "Military service" means active service in the army, navy, marine corps, air force, coast guard, space force, Kansas army or air national guard or any branch of the military reserves of the United States.
(d) "Officer" means any officer or employee of the state of Kansas or any political subdivision thereof.
(e) "Temporary vacancy" means a vacancy in an office or position caused by the absence in military service of the officer elected or appointed thereto. If the officer was originally elected or appointed for a definite term, "temporary vacancy" means the period of time beginning with the day such officer enters military service and ending either with the day such officer returns from military service or with the expiration of the appointed or elected term, whichever period of time is shorter. If the officer was originally appointed to the office or position for an indefinite term or for a term expiring at the pleasure of the appointive authority, such "temporary vacancy" means the period of time beginning with the day such officer enters military service and ending either with the day such officer shall return from military service, or with the expiration of the appointive power of the original appointive authority, whichever period of time is shorter.
History: L. 1941, ch. 355, § 1; L. 2021, ch. 97, § 5; January 1, 2022.
The provisions of this act [*] shall apply to all persons who served overseas during world war II and to all persons who served overseas with the armed forces of the United States during the military, naval and air operations in Korea or other places under the flag of the United States and the United Nations or under the flag of the United States alone, as members of the American red cross nurse corps.
History: L. 1945, ch. 301, § 11; L. 1951, ch. 429, § 3; June 30.
(a) As used in this act:
(1) "Veteran" means:
(A) A person who served in the active military, naval, air or space service, including those groups and individuals listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.7, and who was discharged or released therefrom under an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions;
(B) any person who has been issued the purple heart by the United States government or who:
(i) Served in the active military, naval, air or space service, including those groups and individuals listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.7, and who was discharged therefrom under an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions;
(ii) received a disability that was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, air or space service, including those groups and individuals listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.7; and
(iii) has a disability certified by the Kansas office of veterans services as being service-connected, pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq. or 10 U.S.C. § 1201 et seq.;
(C) the spouse of a service-connected disabled veteran with a permanent and total combined service-connected evaluation percentage of 100%;
(D) the surviving spouse of a veteran who died in the line of duty in the active military, naval, air or space service; and
(E) the spouse of a prisoner of war, as defined by K.S.A. 75-4364, and amendments thereto.
Veteran preference in government employment shall not apply to any person who retired from the active military service with the pay grade of 04 or above unless the person retired due to wounds received in combat or is a disabled veteran with a service-connected disability evaluation rating equal to or greater than 10%, pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq. or 10 U.S.C. § 1201 et seq.
(2) "Competent" means a good faith determination that the person is likely to successfully meet the performance standards of the position based on what a reasonable person knowledgeable in the operation of the position would conclude from all information available at the time the determination is made. The basis for such determination shall include experience, training, education, licensure, certification or other factors determined by the decision-making authority as appropriate to determine the applicant's overall qualification and ability to successfully meet the performance standards of the position. The decision-making authority shall document such factors prior to the initiation of the selection process.
(3) "Disabled veteran" means a person who:
(A) Served in the active military, naval, air or space service, including those groups and individuals listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.7, and was discharged or released therefrom under an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions;
(B) received a disability that was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, air or space service, including those groups and individuals listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.7; and
(C) has a service-connected evaluation percentage, pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq. or 10 U.S.C. § 1201 et seq.
(b) In grateful recognition of the services, sacrifices and sufferings of veterans who served in the army, navy, air force, coast guard or marine corps of the United States in world war I and world war II, and of persons who have served with the armed forces of the United States during the military, naval and air operations in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan or other places under the flags of the United States and the United Nations or under the flag of the United States alone, and have been honorably discharged therefrom, the provisions of this section are enacted.
(c) Veterans shall be preferred for initial employment and first promotion in the state government of Kansas, and in the counties and cities of this state, if competent to perform such services. Any veteran thus preferred shall not be disqualified from holding any position in such service on account of the veteran's age or by reason of any physical or mental disability as long as such age or disability does not render the veteran incompetent to perform the duties of the position applied for. When any veteran shall apply for appointment to any such position, place, or employment, the officer, board or person whose duty it is or may be to appoint a person to fill such position, place or employment shall, if the applicant be a veteran of good reputation, and can competently perform the duties of the position applied for by the veteran, consider the veteran for appointment to such position, place, or employment. Within 30 days of filling a position, eligible veterans who have applied and are not hired shall be notified by certified mail or personal service that they are not being hired. Such notice also shall advise the veteran of any administrative appeal available.
(d) The provisions of this act shall not be applicable to any persons classed as conscientious objectors. The provisions of this act shall not be controlling over the provisions of any statute, county resolution or city ordinance relating to retirement or termination on the basis of age, of employees of the state or any county or city. Whenever under any statute, county resolution or city ordinance, retirement or termination on the basis of age of any employee is required at a certain age or is optional with the employer at a certain age, such statute, resolution or ordinance shall be controlling and shall not be limited by this section.
(e) (1) All notices of job openings, if any, and all applications for employment, if any, by the state and any city or county in this state shall state that the job is subject to a veteran's preference, how the preference works and how veterans may take advantage of the preference and post a written statement of:
(A) The qualifications for such position;
(B) any preferred qualifications of such position;
(C) performance standards for the position; and
(D) the process that will be used for selection.
(2) A veteran, veteran's spouse or surviving spouse who qualifies for the veteran's preference, desiring to use a veteran's preference shall provide the hiring authority with a copy of the veteran's DD form 214, DD form 1300, NGB form 22 or other official discharge document recognized by the department of veterans affairs under which the spouse qualifies for the preference.
(f) Every employment center of the state and any city or county human resources department, if any, shall openly display documents that indicate that veterans are eligible for a preference in their initial employment and any first promotion within the employment of the governmental entity.
(g) Any veteran who alleges that a state agency, city or county has not provided the veterans preference as required by this act, after exhausting any available administrative remedy, may bring an action in the district court.
History: L. 1886, ch. 160, § 1; L. 1901, ch. 186, § 1; L. 1907, ch. 374, § 1; L. 1919, ch. 280, § 1; R.S. 1923, 73-201; L. 1945, ch. 301, § 1; L. 1951, ch. 429, § 1; L. 1970, ch. 306, § 1; L. 2008, ch. 99, § 1; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 22; L. 2025, ch. 97, § 9; July 1.
(a) The provisions of K.S.A. 73-201, and amendments thereto, shall not apply to the following:
(1) An office filled by election;
(2) positions which are filled by officers elected by popular vote or persons appointed to fill vacancies in such offices and the personal secretary of each such officer, members of boards and commissions, persons employed on a temporary basis, heads of departments, positions that require licensure as a physician, licensure as an osteopathic physician, licensure as a chiropractic physician and positions that require that the employee be admitted to practice law in Kansas;
(3) a key employee as defined in subsection (b);
(4) a job held by a patient, inmate or student in or enrolled at a state institution; and
(5) temporary or casual employment positions.
(b) As used in this section, "key employee" means an individual specifically hired for a city or county at will position or for a non-classified position or a department or agency head, or an individual serving as the immediate subordinate, secretary or administrative assistant of a person holding such position, such as a position as a private secretary or deputy of an official, department or agency who holds a confidential relationship to the appointing or employing officer, and positions in the unclassified service of the state of Kansas as enumerated in K.S.A. 75-2935, and amendments thereto or other Kansas statutes.
History: L. 2008, ch. 99, § 2; July 1.
To the extent that this act conflicts with federal law or a limitation provided by a federal grant to a public entity, this act shall be construed to operate in harmony with the federal law or limitation of the federal grant.
History: L. 2008, ch. 99, § 3; July 1.
Prior to the beginning of the 2011 regular legislative session, the division of post audit shall conduct an audit of the Kansas veterans preference laws. The audit shall be in accordance with article 11 of chapter 46 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto. The audit report shall be submitted to the legislature at the commencement of the regular session of the legislature in 2011.
History: L. 2008, ch. 99, § 4; July 1.
Any state officer, any county or city officer or any board composed of state officers, county or city officers, or any board who have been appointed and have charge of the penal and charitable institutions of the state, who shall knowingly and willfully disobey or neglect to obey the provisions of this act, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be fined in a sum not less than fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars, and in addition thereto subject to impeachment as provided by law, and prosecuted as other cases of misdemeanor; and in either of said cases, upon conviction, shall be adjudged to have forfeited his or her office.
History: L. 1901, ch. 186, § 2; R.S. 1923, 73-202; L. 1945, ch. 301, § 2; March 30.
In making any reduction of force in any of the departments, cities or towns of this state, the officers of such department, city or town shall retain those persons who may be equally qualified who have been honorably discharged from the military or naval service of the United States, and the widows and orphans of deceased soldiers and sailors.
History: L. 1886, ch. 160, § 2; March 25; R.S. 1923, 73-203.
Any person knowingly and willfully violating the provisions of this act shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction fined not less than five dollars nor more than twenty-five dollars for each offense.
History: L. 1886, ch. 160, § 3; March 25; R.S. 1923, 73-204.
All rights, privileges and immunities extended to and enjoyed by honorably discharged soldiers of any of the wars in which this country has engaged, previous to the great world war, are confirmed, extended to, and hereby made to apply to the honorably discharged soldiers, sailors and marines, and others who honorably served with the armed forces of the United States in the world war, including former American citizens who served in the armies of governments associated with the United States in the world war, and who have been repatriated; it being the express intent of this statute that all of the provisions of the Laws of 1885, chapter 184 [73-301 to 73-303], Laws of 1886, chapter 160 [73-201, 73-203, 73-204], Laws of 1889, chapter 234 [73-211], Laws of 1897, chapter 157 [73-207, 73-208], Laws of 1901, chapters 186 [73-201] and 289 [73-211, 73-212], Laws of 1903, chapter 362 [73-417 to 73-422], Laws of 1907, chapters 374 [73-201, 73-202], 375 [73-304, 73-305] and 376 [73-301], Laws of 1909, chapters 221 [73-306 to 73-308] and 222 [73-207], Laws of 1911, chapter 289 [73-424 to 73-426], and Laws of 1915, chapter 102 [73-430 to 73-432], including any amendments thereto, shall be extended and made to apply, as hereinbefore provided.
History: L. 1921, ch. 257, § 1; March 7; R.S. 1923, 73-205.
This act is supplemental to and adopts the provisions of every act referred to in the preceding section, as far as the same may be applicable, and the same are made a part hereof.
History: R.S. 1923, 73-206; December 27.
History: L. 1943, ch. 265, § 1; Repealed, L. 1945, ch. 301, § 12; March 30.
Any person entitled to a pension or annuity by reason of retirement pursuant to provisions of the laws of this state may decline to accept all or any part of such pension or annuity by a waiver signed by the pensioner or annuitant and filed with the body authorized by statute to administer the fund from which said pensioner or annuitant is receiving or is entitled to receive said pension or annuity, or its authorized agent. Such waiver may be revoked in writing at any time, but no payment of the pension or annuity or part thereof waived shall be made covering the period during which the waiver was in effect.
History: L. 1955, ch. 378, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1897, ch. 157, § 1; L. 1909, ch. 222, § 1; L. 1923, ch. 212, § 1; R.S. 1923, § 73-207; L. 1945, ch. 301, § 3; L. 1951, ch. 429, § 2; Repealed, L. 1998, ch. 8, § 1; July 1.
History: L. 1897, ch. 157, § 2; R.S. 1923, § 72-208; Repealed, L. 1998, ch. 8, § 1; July 1.
(a) On submission to the adjutant general of an original discharge or other official record of military service of any soldier, sailor or marine of the United States, or of a copy of such discharge or official record of military service certified to by a city, county or state official as being a true copy of original document, the adjutant general shall place such record on file in the adjutant general's office. If original documents are submitted, the adjutant general shall cause true copies of such original documents to be made and shall file the copies in the adjutant general's office and the originals shall be returned to the person who submitted them.
(b) Upon request of a soldier, sailor or marine whose records of military service have been filed in the adjutant general's office, the adjutant general shall cause to be furnished a certificate of military service in accordance with such records. The adjutant general shall not charge any fee for the certificate if the certificate is requested by a person who exhibits correspondence from the United States veterans administration or the Kansas office of veterans services that indicates that such person is applying for benefits from the United States veterans administration and that such person needs the certificate to obtain such benefits.
(c) The adjutant general shall transfer to the state archives of the Kansas state historical society for permanent retention any records of military service on file in the adjutant general's office, in accordance with the records retention and disposition schedule for such records approved by the state records board.
History: L. 1919, ch. 281, § 1; R.S. 1923, 73-209; L. 1995, ch. 24, § 2; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 7; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 23; July 1.
(a) No city, county or state official shall charge a fee for certifying to the correctness of a true copy of an original discharge or other official record of military service of any soldier, sailor or marine of the United States, except that:
(1) The adjutant general may charge a fee unless the copy is requested by a person who exhibits correspondence from the United States veterans administration or the Kansas office of veterans services that indicates that such person is applying for benefits from the United States veterans administration and that such person needs the copy to obtain such benefits; and
(2) a register of deeds of a county may charge a fee for copies in excess of the number provided for by K.S.A. 73-210a, and amendments thereto.
History: L. 1919, ch. 281, § 2; R.S. 1923, 73-210; L. 1995, ch. 24, § 3; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 8; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 24; July 1.
Whenever there shall be presented to the register of deeds of any county in this state the discharge or other official records of military service of any person who has been honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States at any time, said register of deeds shall record the same in a record book which shall be provided for such purpose and no fee shall be charged for such recordation. Upon request, of the person to whom such discharge was issued, his agent or relative, the register of deeds shall prepare and furnish certified copies of any such discharge or records of military service and no fee shall be charged for the first five copies therefor.
History: L. 1945, ch. 173, § 1; March 26.
Revisor's Note: Later act, see 39-709.
History: L. 1889, ch. 234, § 1; L. 1901, ch. 289, § 1; R.S. 1923, 73-211; L. 1929, ch. 249, § 1; L. 1939, ch. 282, § 1; L. 1945, ch. 301, § 4; Repealed, L. 1951, ch. 288, § 7; June 30.
History: L. 1901, ch. 289, § 2; R.S. 1923, 73-212; Repealed, L. 1949, ch. 401, § 1; April 2.
For the purposes of this act, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(a) "Act" means K.S.A. 73-213 through 73-219, and amendments thereto.
(b) "Appointive authority" means the person, board, commission or other authority vested by law with power to appoint a successor for an officer when a vacancy occurs in the office or position held by such officer. If no person, board, commission, or other authority is vested by law with power to appoint a successor for an officer when a vacancy occurs then "appointive authority" means the governor of the state of Kansas.
(c) "Military service" means active service in the army, navy, marine corps, air force, coast guard, space force, Kansas army or air national guard or any branch of the military reserves of the United States.
(d) "Officer" means any officer or employee of the state of Kansas or any political subdivision thereof.
(e) "Temporary vacancy" means a vacancy in an office or position caused by the absence in military service of the officer elected or appointed thereto. If the officer was originally elected or appointed for a definite term, "temporary vacancy" means the period of time beginning with the day such officer enters military service and ending either with the day such officer returns from military service or with the expiration of the appointed or elected term, whichever period of time is shorter. If the officer was originally appointed to the office or position for an indefinite term or for a term expiring at the pleasure of the appointive authority, such "temporary vacancy" means the period of time beginning with the day such officer enters military service and ending either with the day such officer shall return from military service, or with the expiration of the appointive power of the original appointive authority, whichever period of time is shorter.
History: L. 1941, ch. 355, § 1; L. 2021, ch. 97, § 5; January 1, 2022.
The absence of any officer from an office or position caused by military service shall not create a forfeiture of or vacancy in the office or position to which such officer was elected or appointed but shall be construed to create a temporary vacancy. Wherever the terms "forfeiture of office" or "vacancy in office" or other words of like effect are used in any law of this state in relation to an officer such as defined in this act, such terms or words shall be construed in accordance with the provisions of this section and shall not be construed to apply to any absence of such officer who is absent from an office or position by reason of military service.
History: L. 1941, ch. 355, § 2; L. 2021, ch. 97, § 6; January 1, 2022.
(a) (1) If an officer's military service creates a temporary vacancy that is determined by such officer to require a temporary appointment, such officer shall submit an approved form to the designated office as set out in paragraph (2).
(2) (A) If the officer is an elected state official, the form shall be approved by and filed with the secretary of state.
(B) If the officer is an elected official of a political subdivision, the form shall be filed with the county clerk of the county containing the largest portion of the territory of the political subdivision.
(C) If the officer is an employee who is not an elected official, the form shall be approved by and filed with the employee's human resources department or other official as determined by such officer's employer.
(3) The officer shall also submit an approved form to the designated office upon return from military service.
(b) If an officer's military service creates a temporary vacancy in an office or position and the form prescribed in (a) has been filed:
(1) The appointive authority for a partisan elective office shall appoint a person to temporarily fill such office or position using the procedures in K.S.A. 25-3901 et seq., and amendments thereto; and
(2) The appointive authority for an elective office that is nonpartisan and for an employee who is not an elected official may appoint a person to temporarily fill such office or position.
(c) All such appointees shall hold the office or position during such temporary vacancy.
History: L. 1941, ch. 355, § 3; L. 2021, ch. 97, § 7; January 1, 2022.
The person appointed in accordance with the provisions of this act to temporarily fill any office or position shall have and may exercise all the rights, powers, authority and jurisdiction and shall perform the duties, vested in, or required by law of the officer whose office or position such person is so appointed to temporarily fill and shall receive the same salary, fees, expenses or other compensation as such officer would be entitled to receive.
History: L. 1941, ch. 355, § 4; February 24.
Every person who shall be appointed to temporarily fill any office or position shall possess the qualifications prescribed by law, if any, for the regular holder of such office or position.
History: L. 1941, ch. 355, § 5; L. 1967, ch. 434, § 22; July 1.
An officer who is absent from an office or position while in military service shall not be entitled to any compensation as such officer during such absence. If the officer returns before the expiration of the period of the temporary vacancy created by the officer's absence, such officer shall be entitled to immediate possession of such office or position and, upon reassuming the duties of the office, to receive the compensation for the remainder of the term to which the holder thereof is entitled, subject to removal from office according to law.
History: L. 1941, ch. 355, § 6; L. 2021, ch. 97, § 8; January 1, 2022.
The provisions of this act are declared to be severable and if any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid for any reason, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions or applications of this act.
History: L. 1941, ch. 355, § 7; L. 2021, ch. 97, § 9; January 1, 2022.
The provisions of this act [*] shall apply to all persons who served overseas during world war II and to all persons who served overseas with the armed forces of the United States during the military, naval and air operations in Korea or other places under the flag of the United States and the United Nations or under the flag of the United States alone, as members of the American red cross nurse corps.
History: L. 1945, ch. 301, § 11; L. 1951, ch. 429, § 3; June 30.
(a) In awarding any contract for the performance of any job or service for which moneys appropriated are to be expended, the secretary of administration, or the secretary's designee, shall give a preference to disabled veteran businesses doing business as Kansas firms, corporations or individuals, or that maintain Kansas offices or places of business and shall have the goal of awarding at least 3% of all such contracts to disabled veteran businesses.
(b) As used in this section:
(1) "Disabled veteran" means a person who:
(A) Served in the active military, naval, air or space service, including those groups and individuals listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.7, and who was discharged or released therefrom under an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions;
(B) received a disability that was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, air or space service;
(C) has a service-connected evaluation percentage equal to or greater than 30% pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq. or 10 U.S.C. § 1201 et seq.
(2) "Disabled veteran business" means a business: (A) Not less than 51% of which is owned by one or more disabled veterans or, in the case of a publicly owned business, not less than 51% of the stock of which is owned by one or more disabled veterans; and (B) the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more disabled veterans.
History: L. 2014, ch. 129, § 5; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 25; L. 2024, ch. 104, § 6; L. 2025, ch. 97, § 10; July 1.
(a) As used in this section, "veteran" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in K.S.A. 73-201, and amendments thereto.
(b) There is hereby established a permissive preference in private employment for veterans.
(c) A private employer may adopt an employment policy that gives preference in hiring to a veteran, provided that the veteran meets the requirements of the vacant position.
(d) Such employment policy shall be:
(1) In writing; and
(2) applied consistently to all decisions regarding initial employment.
(e) The veteran shall submit proof of such veteran's military service and honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions to a private employer with such veterans preference employment policy to establish eligibility for the preference.
History: L. 2015, ch. 76, § 1; July 1.
It shall be the duty of the county commissioners in each of the counties of this state to designate the township trustee or some other suitable person in each township, whose duty it shall be to cause to be decently interred the body of any honorably discharged Union soldier, sailor or marine who served in the Union army or navy in the war of 1861-'65, known as the "civil war," or the body of the wife or widow of any such soldier, sailor, marine, who may hereafter die without leaving sufficient means to defray his or her funeral expenses. Such burial shall not be made in any cemetery or burial ground or that portion of any burial ground used exclusively for the pauper dead. The expenses of any such burial shall in no case be more than one hundred dollars ($100). If the deceased has relatives or friends who desire to conduct the burial they shall be permitted to do so, but if they are unable to pay the expenses thereof, such expense shall be paid by the county in which the deceased soldier, sailor, marine, his wife, or widow, may die, as hereinbefore provided.
History: L. 1885, ch. 184, § 1; L. 1907, ch. 376, § 1; R.S. 1923, 73-301; L. 1927, ch. 284, § 1; June 1.
The grave of any such deceased soldier, sailor or marine shall be marked by a headstone containing the name of deceased, and the organization to which he belonged or in which he served in the Union army or navy: Provided, That such headstone shall not cost more than the sum of twenty dollars, and shall be of such design and material as may be approved by the board of county commissioners.
History: L. 1885, ch. 184, § 2; March 14; R.S. 1923, 53-302.
The expenses of such burial and headstones shall be paid by the county in which such soldier, sailor or marine resided in the time of his death; and the board of county commissioners of such county is authorized and directed to audit the account and pay the said expenses in a similar manner as other accounts against such county are audited and paid.
History: L. 1885, ch. 184, § 3; March 14; R.S. 1923, 73-303.
It shall be the duty of the county commissioners in each of the counties of this state to cause to be decently interred the body of any honorably discharged person who served in the armed forces of the United States during the Spanish-American war, the Philippine insurrection, the expedition to China, world war I or world war II, or who served with the armed forces of the United States during the military, naval and air operations in Korea or other places under the flags of the United States and the United Nations or under the flag of the United States alone, or the body of the spouse or parent of any such honorably discharged person, who may hereafter die without leaving sufficient means to defray funeral expenses; or to cause the removal of the body of any member of the armed forces as above defined buried in grounds reserved exclusively for pauper dead to other portions of cemeteries or burial grounds. Such burial shall not be made in any cemetery or burial ground or that portion of the burial ground used exclusively for the burial of pauper dead: Provided, That in case surviving relatives of the deceased shall desire to conduct the funeral, and are unable or unwilling to pay the charges therefor, they shall be permitted to do so, and the expense shall be paid in the amount and manner provided by K.S.A. 39-713(l) of the General Statutes Supplement of 1955 or amendments thereto [*].
History: L. 1907, ch. 375, § 1; R.S. 1923, 73-304; L. 1927, ch. 284, § 2; L. 1945, ch. 301, § 5; L. 1951, ch. 429, § 4; L. 1957, ch. 421, § 1; June 29.
The expenses for the burial or removal of any soldier, as provided for in K.S.A. 73-304, shall be paid by the county wherein such burial or removal takes place.
History: L. 1907, ch. 375, § 2; May 27; R.S. 1923, 73-305.
It shall be the duty of the trustees of the several townships of this state, and of the mayors of the cities of the first and second class of this state, to cause to be removed the remains of any deceased ex-soldiers of the civil war of 1861-1865, also ex-soldiers of the Spanish-American war, also members of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Kansas cavalry, which may be buried in any abandoned cemetery, or in any ground set apart for the burial of paupers, in such township or city, from such abandoned cemetery or pauper burying ground to some regularly chartered cemetery, or to some cemetery specially set apart for the burial of deceased ex-soldiers within the same county; and the expense of such removal shall be paid by the county in which such removal is made: Provided, That the expense of such removal shall in no case exceed the sum of twenty-five dollars for each body so removed: And provided further, That no county shall be required to pay the expenses of the removal of any such remains to any place outside of the county in which the same was originally buried.
History: L. 1909, ch. 221, § 1; May 29; R.S. 1923, 73-306.
No ex-soldier of the civil war of 1861-1865, also ex-soldiers of the Spanish-American war, also members of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Kansas cavalry, also honorably discharged persons who served in the armed forces of the United States during world war I, world war II, or during the military, naval and air operations in Korea or other places under the flags of the United States and the United Nations or under the flag of the United States alone, who shall die while an inmate of any of the charitable institutions of this state, unless such ex-soldier shall have so requested in writing and signed by such person or his guardian so requesting, shall be buried in the cemetery of such charitable institution.
It shall be the duty of the board of charitable institutions [*] of the state of Kansas to cause all ex-service persons of the civil war and of the Spanish-American war, also members of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Kansas cavalry, also honorably discharged persons who served in the armed forces of the United States during world war I, world war II, or during the military, naval and air operations in Korea or other places under the flags of the United States and the United Nations or under the flag of the United States alone, who shall die while an inmate of any charitable institution of the state, to be buried in some regularly chartered cemetery, or in some burying ground specially set apart for the burial of ex-service persons of the civil war and of the Spanish-American war, or any persons who served in the armed forces of the United States during world war I, world war II or during the military, naval and air operations in Korea or other places under the flags of the United States and the United Nations or under the flag of the United States alone.
It shall further be the duty of said board of administration of the charitable institutions [*] of this state to cause to be removed from the cemeteries of all state charitable institutions under its control the remains of any persons having served in any of the wars in which the United States has been engaged, and also members of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Kansas cavalry, which may be buried therein, to some regularly chartered cemetery, or to some burial ground specially set apart for the burial of all persons having served in any of the wars in which the United States has been engaged, and also members of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Kansas cavalry.
History: L. 1909, ch. 221, § 2; R.S. 1923, 73-307; L. 1945, ch. 301, § 6; L. 1951, ch. 429, § 5; June 30.
The state director of accounts and reports is hereby authorized to draw his warrants on the treasurer of state for the payment of the necessary expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of K.S.A. 73-307, upon duly verified vouchers approved by the said board of administration of charitable institutions [*] of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 1909, ch. 221, § 3; May 29; R.S. 1923, 73-308.
(a) There is hereby established in the state treasury the military honors funeral fund which shall be administered by the adjutant general. All expenditures of moneys in the military honors funeral fund shall be used for the purpose of providing military honors funerals and shall be made in accordance with appropriation acts upon warrants of the director of accounts and reports issued pursuant to vouchers approved by the adjutant general or by a person or persons designated by the adjutant general. The adjutant general may accept all gifts, grants, donations and bequests to the fund. The adjutant general shall remit all moneys received under this section to the state treasurer in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 75-4215, and amendments thereto. Upon receipt of each such remittance, the state treasurer shall deposit the entire amount in the state treasury to the credit of the military honors funeral fund.
(b) On or before the 10th of each month, the director of accounts and reports shall transfer from the state general fund to the military honors funeral fund interest earnings based on:
(1) The average daily balance of moneys in the military honors funeral fund for the preceding month; and
(2) the net earnings rate for the pooled money investment portfolio for the preceding month.
History: L. 2014, ch. 129, § 1; July 1.
The various counties and cities of the state of Kansas are hereby authorized and empowered to vote bonds or incur indebtedness in the manner hereinafter prescribed for the erection of such memorials as may be petitioned for as suitable and proper to commemorate the valorous achievements of the citizens of the respective cities or counties who as soldiers, sailors and marines entered the service of the United States during the war with Mexico, the Indian wars, the war of the rebellion, the Spanish-American war, world war I, including therein those devoted women of the corps of the Red Cross nurses attached to the service of the United States, and world war II, also persons who have served with the armed forces of the United States during the military, naval and air operations in Korea or other places under the flags of the United States and the United Nations or under the flag of the United States alone, and those citizens of the county or municipality who enlisted in the military, naval or Red Cross service during world war I, or world war II; also persons who have served with the armed forces of the United States during the military, naval and air operations in Korea or other places under the flags of the United States and the United Nations or under the flag of the United States alone. Such memorial so petitioned for may consist of a building, monument, arch, or other structure, or improved highway, park or boulevard.
History: L. 1921, ch. 256, § 1; R.S. 1923, 73-401; L. 1945, ch. 301, § 7; L. 1951, ch. 429, § 6; June 30.
Whenever twenty-five percent (25%) of the electors of any county or city as shown by the vote for secretary of state at the last preceding election, shall present to the board of county commissioners, or the governing body of any city, a petition setting forth: (1) The character of a memorial desired to be erected; and (2) the approximate cost thereof, such county commissioners, or governing body of such city shall call a special election in the manner now provided for by law for a general election, or at a general election or regular city election if said general election or city election is held within six months after said petition is presented and shall submit at such election the proposition in substantially the following form: "Shall the county (or city) of __________ issue its bonds (or levy a tax) in the sum of $______ for the construction (or establishment) of a __________ as a military monument in accordance with the provisions of chapter 256 of the Laws of 1921?"
Before submitting said proposition the board of county commissioners or the governing body of the city, shall determine by an order duly entered whether the indebtedness for said memorial shall be paid by issue of bonds or levy of a tax, and the proposition submitted shall designate whether bonds are to be issued or tax levied. In case a majority of the voters voting shall vote in favor of the erection or establishment of said memorial, then the county commissioners or governing body of the city shall erect such memorial. In addition to the said proposition to be submitted to the electors, if the petition for the memorial so provides, the county commissioners if for a county memorial, or the governing body of the city if for a city memorial, shall submit the following additional proposition to the electors at such election: "Shall such memorial be located at (giving the legal description of the proposed site or sites)?
..............☐ ..............☐
..............☐ ..............☐
And such memorial shall be located on the site receiving the largest number of votes. The board of county commissioners, or governing body of any city, without any election therefor, shall have power to erect and assist in erecting upon any public grounds of said county or city a monument to the memory of parties referred to in K.S.A. 73-401, and for such purposes the board of county commissioners or governing body of such city may appropriate and expend from the general funds of such county or city a sum not in excess of three thousand dollars ($3,000), or said county commissioners or governing body of said city, in lieu of such appropriation, may levy a tax sufficient to raise such amount and to pay a portion of the principal and interest on bonds issued under the authority of K.S.A. 12-1774, and amendments thereto, by cities located in the county, such tax to be in addition to all other levies authorized by law.
History: L. 1921, ch. 256, § 2; L. 1979, ch. 52, § 187; July 1.
Except as herein provided such election shall be held in the manner now provided by law.
History: L. 1921, ch. 256, § 3; February 22; R.S. 1923, 73-403.
In the event such proposition so submitted shall receive a majority of the votes cast therein, the proposition shall be declared carried and the bonds shall be issued or tax levied in accordance with the provisions of this act.
History: L. 1921, ch. 256, § 4; February 22; R.S. 1923, 73-404.
In case bonds shall be issued, such bonds shall run for not more than thirty years and bear interest at a rate of not more than the maximum rate of interest prescribed by K.S.A. 10-1009 and shall be executed, and the aggregate amount thereof shall not exceed the cost of said memorial, and the site thereof, and the expenses of said election, nor shall bonds be issued for more than two percent of the assessed valuation of the county or the city in which said memorial is located.
History: R.S. 1923, 73-405; L. 1970, ch. 64, § 85; March 21.
If it shall be decided to pay for said memorial by taxation without the issuance of bonds, the board of county commissioners or governing body of such city, shall levy a tax of not more than two mills each year until the amount voted, including cost of site and expense of election, and to pay a portion of the principal and interest on bonds issued under the authority of K.S.A. 12-1774, and amendments thereto, by cities located in the county shall have been collected; but in no event shall the total amount collected for such purposes by taxation exceed two percent (2%) of the assessed valuation of each county or city, and the proceeds of such tax, except for an amount to pay a portion of the principal and interest on bonds issued under the authority of K.S.A. 12-1774, and amendments thereto, by cities located in the county, shall be used for the payment of such memorial, site and election expenses. No contract shall be entered into or the construction of such memorial commenced until at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount voted shall have been actually collected.
History: L. 1921, ch. 256, § 6; L. 1979, ch. 52, § 188; July 1.
The management and control of a county building shall be vested in a board of three trustees to be appointed by the county commissioners, and if a city building, shall be appointed by the mayor of the city. Such trustees shall be residents of the county or city wherein the building is located except that at least two of the trustees shall have seen service in the army, navy or marine corps of the United States in time of war. One trustee shall be appointed for one year, one trustee for two years and one trustee for three years, and thereafter each trustee shall be appointed for three years. Trustees shall serve without compensation and shall make annual reports and recommendations to the proper county and the city officials.
The expense of maintenance of the memorial shall be paid out of the general fund of the county or city, or out of a special fund. Counties or cities are authorized to make a levy upon all taxable tangible property in the county or city for such purpose and to pay a portion of the principal and interest on bonds issued under the authority of K.S.A. 12-1774, and amendments thereto, by cities located in the county. The board of trustees shall have full authority to lease all or any part of the building for hire to any person or persons desiring to lease the same for a term not to exceed one year at a time and fix the rate and terms upon which the charge shall be made and collected therefor. The board of trustees of any such memorial in any city of the second class located in a county with a population of not less than 12,000 and not more than 15,000 and having an assessed tangible valuation of not less than $32,000,000 and not more than $35,000,000 is hereby authorized to lease all or any part of the memorial to the Kansas national guard for a term of not to exceed 10 years and to fix the rate and terms upon which the charge shall be made and collected therefor. The board of trustees of any such memorial in any city having a commission form of government, and a population of more than 150,000, shall have full authority to lease any suitable portion or portions of the building to any concessionaire desiring to lease the same, for a term of not to exceed 10 years, and to fix the rate and terms upon which the charge shall be made and collected therefor.
History: L. 1921, ch. 256, § 8; L. 1923, ch. 213, § 1; R.S. 1923, 73-407; L. 1925, ch. 247, § 1; L. 1929, ch. 252, § 1; L. 1947, ch. 391, § 1; L. 1965, ch. 432, § 1; L. 1969, ch. 364, § 1; L. 1970, ch. 69, § 20; L. 1979, ch. 52, § 189; L. 1999, ch. 154, § 45; May 27.
The bonds herein provided for, and all taxes herein provided for, may be issued or levied in addition to all other bonds or levies now permitted by the statutes.
History: L. 1921, ch. 256, § 9; February 22; R.S. 1923, 73-408.
In order to secure a site for such memorial, the board of county commissioners, or the governing body of such city, shall apply to the district judge of the district in which the county or city is situated asking for the condemnation of such site, describing the same. The board of county commissioners, or the governing body of said city, are hereby authorized to and shall exercise the right of eminent domain in the manner provided by law.
History: R.S. 1923, 73-409; L. 1976, ch. 145, § 234; January 10, 1977.
History: L. 1921, ch. 256, § 11; R.S. 1923, 73-410; Repealed, L. 1978, ch. 306, § 1; July 1.
Wherever and whenever in K.S.A. 73-401 to 73-410, inclusive, power or authority shall have been given to the counties and cities of the state of Kansas, under the provision thereof, like power and authority shall be and is hereby given to the townships of the state of Kansas, under the provisions of said chapter.
History: R.S. 1923, 73-411; December 27.
Wherever and whenever in K.S.A. 73-401 to 73-410, inclusive, form and procedure has been prescribed for counties and cities, like form and procedure is hereby prescribed for townships in the state of Kansas, desiring to take advantage of said chapter.
History: R.S. 1923, 73-412; December 27.
Laws 1921, chapter 80, included by reference. [The title to the act follows: "An act validating and legalizing bonds issued under the act published in the statute book as chapter 279, Laws of 1919, or chapter 58[*] Special Session Laws of 1920, and authorizing and directing the issuance of bonds and subsequent proceedings for erection of military memorials where elections have been held under said act and validating all proceedings thereunder." The act of 1921 (ch. 256) [**] contains the same provisions as the act of 1919 above referred to.]
History: R.S. 1923, 73-413.
Laws 1923, chapter 214, included by reference. [The title of the act follows: "An act authorizing and directing the issuance of bonds and subsequent proceedings for the erection of military memorials by cities of the first class, with which there has been consolidated a city of the second class under the provisions of chapter 98 [12-332] of the Laws of Kansas 1921, entitled 'An act providing for the consolidation of cities,' and in which city of the second class, an election has been held under the provisions of chapter 256 [*], Laws of Kansas 1921, and validating all proceedings thereunder, notwithstanding that such city of the first class has heretofore issued bonds for the erection of military memorials."]
History: R.S. 1923, 73-414.
Laws 1923, chapter 215, included by reference. [The title to the act follows: "An act authorizing certain cities to increase their bonded indebtedness heretofore authorized for the erection of a memorial building."]
History: R.S. 1923, 73-415.
Laws 1923, chapter 216, included by reference. [The title to the act follows: "An act relating to the issuance of military memorial building bonds by cities of the second class, and validating the proceedings already begun by certain second-class cities in the state."]
History: R.S. 1923, 73-416.
In grateful recognition of the service, sacrifices and sufferings of persons who served in the army and navy of the United States in the war of the rebellion, and the persons who served in the army, navy or marine corps of the United States in world war I or world war II and of persons who have served with the armed forces of the United States during the military, naval and air operations in Korea or other places under the flags of the United States and the United Nations or under the flag of the United States alone, and have been honorably discharged therefrom, the board of county commissioners of the several counties and governing body of any city of the first, second and third class within this state are hereby authorized and empowered to appropriate money or issue bonds of the respective counties or cities for the purpose of erecting and maintaining monuments to the memory of the deceased Union soldiers of the war of the rebellion and of the deceased soldiers, sailors or marines who served in world war I or world war II or served with the armed forces of the United States during the military, naval and air operations in Korea or other places under the flags of the United States and the United Nations or under the flag of the United States alone.
History: L. 1903, ch. 362, § 1; R.S. 1923, 73-417; L. 1945, ch. 301, § 8; L. 1951, ch. 429, § 7; June 30.
Said monuments when erected by the board of county commissioners of any county within this state shall be erected within some public park or cemetery in said county to be selected by said county commissioners; and when erected by the governing body of any city within the state shall be erected within some public park or cemetery located at or near said city.
History: L. 1903, ch. 362, § 2; June 1; R.S. 1923, 73-418.
Before any money shall be appropriated under this act, the cemetery association owning cemetery where it is proposed to erect said monument shall deed to the county or city so appropriating said money a lot or lots in said cemetery for the purpose of erecting thereon the monument as aforesaid. Said lot or lots shall be and remain the property of the county or city erecting said monument, and shall at all times be under the care of the board of county commissioners or the governing body, the same as other county and city property.
History: L. 1903, ch. 362, § 3; June 1; R.S. 1923, 73-419.
The board of county commissioners of any county may join with the governing body of any city located within the said county any appropriated money, for the purpose of erecting more than one monument under this act.
History: L. 1903, ch. 362, § 4; June 1; R.S. 1923, 73-420.
The board of county commissioners of any county within this state or any city of the first or second class within this state may issue bonds in any sum that they may deem proper for the purposes herein set forth; said bonds to be issued as provided by law: Provided, That before any money shall be appropriated or bonds issued the question shall be submitted to the qualified voters of the county or city at a general or special election.
History: R.S. 1923, 73-421; December 27.
Laws 1903, chapter 363, and Laws 1903, chapter 362, section 6, included by reference. [The first-named act provided for a soldiers' monument in Sedgwick county, and the other section referred to saved said act from repeal.]
History: R.S. 1923, 73-422.
Laws 1905, chapter 150, included by reference. [Supplemental act to chapter 362, Laws 1903; authorized a soldiers' monument in the city of Winfield.]
History: R.S. 1923, 73-423.
Revisor's Note: Later act, see 73-427 through 73-429.
History: L. 1911, ch. 289, § 1; R.S. 1923, 73-424; Repealed, L. 1933, ch. 309, § 27; April 3.
Such tax shall be collected in the same manner as other taxes, and the money so raised shall be expended, and said soldiers' memorial and monument constructed, in the same manner as is now provided by law for the construction of public buildings and paying therefor by the board of county commissioners, and the grand army of the republic and its auxiliaries of such county shall have charge of the building of such soldiers' memorial and monument within such county. No part of such money shall be paid for salaries nor for any other purpose than that above specified.
History: L. 1911, ch. 289, § 2; February 28; R.S. 1923, 73-425.
Such memorial and monument shall be placed on ground belonging to the county, and the board of county commissioners shall select the location, and after the erection of such memorial and monument shall have charge and care of the same.
History: L. 1911, ch. 289, § 3; February 28; R.S. 1923, 73-426.
The board of county commissioners of any county are hereby authorized and empowered to levy a tax, not exceeding one-half mill on the dollar, of the taxable property of the county for one year, the proceeds thereof, when collected, to be used in building and equipping a soldiers' memorial and monument in such county in honor of the veterans of such county who served either in world war I or world war II, or both and to pay a portion of the principal and interest on bonds issued under the authority of K.S.A. 12-1774, and amendments thereto, by cities located in the county. The money raised from such tax levy shall be expended, and said soldiers' memorial and monument constructed, in the same manner as is now provided by law for the construction of public buildings.
History: L. 1917, ch. 141, § 1; R.S. 1923, 73-427; L. 1947, ch. 392, § 1; L. 1979, ch. 52, § 190; July 1.
Such a monument shall be placed on grounds belonging to the county, or on some street or park in its county seat, the location to be selected by a committee consisting of the members of the board of county commissioners, two members of the American legion appointed by the commander of the American legion post in such county seat, and two members of the veterans of foreign wars appointed by the commander of the veterans of foreign wars post in such county seat. After the erection of such memorial, the board of county commissioners shall have charge and care of the same if placed on ground belonging to the county; and if placed on a street or park in the county seat, the governing body of such city shall have charge and care of such memorial.
History: L. 1947, ch. 392, § 2; June 30.
History: L. 1917, ch. 141, § 2; R.S. 1923, 73-428; Repealed, L. 1947, ch. 392, § 3; June 30.
Such monument shall be placed on ground belonging to the county, or on some street or park in its county seat, the location to be selected by the grand army of the republic and the woman's relief corps of such county seat, and the board of county commissioners, after the erection of such monument shall have charge and care of the same if placed on ground belonging to the county; if placed on a street or park in the county seat, the government of such city shall have charge and care of such monument.
History: L. 1917, ch. 141, § 3; May 26; R.S. 1923, 73-429.
History: L. 1915, ch. 102, § 1; R.S. 1923, 73-430; L. 1935, ch. 266, § 1; L. 1945, ch. 301, § 9; L. 1951, ch. 429, § 8; Repealed, L. 1977, ch. 261, § 1; July 1.
The county commissioners of each county of this state shall designate suitable persons residing in the county to place the grave markers provided for in K.S.A. 73-430 at the graves of such deceased soldiers, sailors and marines.
History: L. 1915, ch. 102, § 2; April 8; R.S. 1923, 73-431.
The expenses of such grave markers shall be paid by the county in which such soldiers, sailors or marines are buried; and the board of county commissioners of such county is authorized to audit and account and pay for said markers in a similar manner as other accounts in such county are paid.
History: L. 1915, ch. 102, § 3; April 8; R.S. 1923, 73-432.
The governing bodies of cities of the first class of the state of Kansas, having a population of over 100,000, who have, under the provisions of K.S.A. 73-401 to 73-410, inclusive, erected a military memorial building, for the purposes designated in said statutes, may issue additional bonds, not to exceed the sum of $41,750, the proceeds whereof to be used in furnishing and equipping the said military memorial building and in decorating the grounds thereof, as per the following schedule; and not otherwise and not to exceed the amounts set forth in said schedule:
History: L. 1925, ch. 248, § 1; March 10.
All expenditures set forth in K.S.A. 73-433 shall be made by the board of trustees of the said military memorial building. And that all vouchers drawn by the city to pay for such expenditures shall be approved by the said board of trustees and the mayor of the city upon which such vouchers are drawn.
History: L. 1925, ch. 248, § 2; March 10.
In case said bonds will be issued, such bonds shall be run for not more than twenty years and bear interest at a rate not to exceed the maximum rate of interest prescribed by K.S.A. 10-1009 and to be in denominations of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000.
History: L. 1925, ch. 248, § 3; L. 1970, ch. 64, § 86; March 21.
It shall be the duty of the governing bodies of such cities during each year to levy taxes sufficient to pay the interest on such bonds and to create a sinking fund to pay said bonds at the date of maturity thereof. Said sinking fund may be invested in the investments authorized by K.S.A. 12-1675, and amendments thereto, in the manner prescribed therein or in the bonds herein provided for or county or municipal bonds.
History: L. 1925, ch. 248, § 4; L. 1977, ch. 54, § 39; July 1.
The bonds herein provided for, and all taxes herein provided for may be issued or levied in addition to all other bonds or levies now authorized under the statutes.
History: L. 1925, ch. 248, § 5; March 10.
History: L. 1925, ch. 249, §§ 1, 2; Repealed, L. 1951, ch. 431, § 1; June 30.
History: L. 1937, ch. 325, §§ 1 to 4; Repealed, L. 1947, ch. 393, § 1; June 30.
The governing body of any city of the first class in the state of Kansas which has under the provisions of K.S.A. 73-401 to 73-410, both inclusive, and acts amendatory and supplementary thereto, erected a military memorial building for the purposes designated in said sections, may issue additional bonds not to exceed the sum of seventy-five thousand dollars, the proceeds whereof to be used in repairing, equipping and improving said military memorial building; Provided, however, If said governing body of said city shall be able to procure from the United States government, directly or indirectly, funds for the purpose specified herein, the amount of said bonds authorized to be issued shall be reduced in the amount of any such funds obtained from the government.
History: L. 1937, ch. 324, § 1; L. 1947, ch. 394, § 1; June 30.
Any city of the second class in which city bonds were voted during the year, 1937, in an amount not exceeding twenty thousand dollars, for the purpose of erecting a memorial armory building under the provisions of K.S.A. 73-401 to 73-410, both sections inclusive, and amendments thereto, and the proceeds of such bonds were expended in the erection of a memorial armory building according to approved plans therefor, and such funds so created and provided were insufficient to complete said memorial according to such plans, and additional funds in the sum of approximately twelve thousand dollars are necessary for the proper completion and equipment of said memorial armory building, and such city is the owner of a waterworks and power and light plant, and revenues are derived by such city from the sale and consumption of water, power, and light, such city is hereby authorized, by resolution of the governing body of such city, to transfer from said waterworks, power and light funds, when surpluses of such funds exist and are not needed for payment of outstanding bonds, or interest on outstanding bonds or any obligations incurred for the construction of such plant or plants, or the renewal, extension or operation of such plant or plants from which such fund or funds were derived, in the total sum of twelve thousand dollars over a period of three years, and to use said funds so transferred from said utility fund or funds for the purpose of completing and equipping said memorial building, and thus to complete and equip said memorial building: Provided, however, That any portion of said amount may be so transferred and used in any year during said period of time, but that the aggregate so transferred and used shall not exceed the total sum of twelve thousand dollars.
History: L. 1941, ch. 169, § 1; June 30.
Any city which has a memorial building constructed under the authority of article 4 of chapter 73 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated may:
(1) Dispose of the building and the land upon which situated, or any part of such land, or
(2) If no bonds issued therefor are outstanding, may divert the use of said building to a city hall or building for the accommodation of its officers and employees and the transaction of the general business of the city and for such purposes may make such alterations, repairs or changes as may be necessary, in the following manner: The city council or commission shall adopt a resolution setting forth that in its judgment the building is improperly designed to be of use to the community, or that the community no longer needs the building because of conditions to be set forth in the resolution, or that the building is used so little that the cost of maintenance and operation is excessive, and that the city has an opportunity to sell said building and the land on which situated or a part of such land, for cash at a price to be stated, and that the city will sell such building and the land or a part of the land, according to the terms of the proposition, after a certain date to be stated in said resolution, unless within twenty (20) days after the publication of the resolution a petition addressed to the governing body and signed by not less than fifty-one percent (51%) of the number of qualified electors as shown by the registration books on the day of the publication of the resolution, or in case of a city having no registration, then according to an estimate of the number of qualified electors on the day of publication of the resolution as prepared and certified to by the city clerk, shall be filed with the city clerk requesting that the matter be voted upon at a special election, or at the next regular city election if such election will fall within ninety (90) days after the publication of the resolution.
If no sufficient petition is filed within the required time, or if a sufficient petition is filed and an election is held and a majority of the votes cast are in favor of the proposition, the council or commission may proceed with the disposal of the property or the diversion of the use of the building according to the proposition set out in the resolution. The consideration received for the building and land disposed of under this section shall be applied on the payment of any outstanding bonds issued for the memorial, or, in the event no bonds are outstanding, it shall be transferred to the general fund, or be placed in a special fund for the purchase or construction of another building more appropriate for the use of the city. A special election shall be noticed and held in the same manner and with the same form of ballot as in the case of bond elections under the provisions of K.S.A. 10-120, or any amendments thereto, the first publication of the notice to be in the week following the determination of the sufficiency of the petition and without further action than said determination.
History: L. 1943, ch. 89, § 1; L. 1955, ch. 342, § 1; June 30.
The provisions of this act shall apply to any city having a population of more than three thousand five hundred (3,500) which is located in a county having a population of more than twelve thousand five hundred (12,500) and less than thirteen thousand five hundred (13,500), in which a city auditorium has been constructed as a military memorial prior to the effective date of this act.
History: L. 1951, ch. 180, § 1; L. 1978, ch. 307, § 1; July 1.
The governing body of any city to which this act applies is hereby authorized and empowered to issue the general obligation bonds of such city in an amount not exceeding one million dollars ($1,000,000) for the purpose of providing funds to be used for the repair, reconstruction, equipment or demolition of an existing city auditorium. No such bonds shall be issued until the question of their issuance shall have been submitted to a vote of the qualified electors of such city at a regular city election or at a special election called for that purpose and the majority of those voting on the question shall have voted in favor of the issuance of said bonds. Such election shall be called and held and such bonds shall be issued, sold, delivered and retired in accordance with the provisions of the general bond law and such bonds shall be exempt from any statutory limitation on the bonded indebtedness of such city.
History: L. 1951, ch. 180, § 2; L. 1978, ch. 307, § 2; July 1.
The governing body of any city of the second class having a population of more than 10,000 and located in a county having a population of more than 40,000, which county has erected a military memorial building for the purposes and as provided in K.S.A. 73-401 to 73-410, inclusive, may issue additional bonds not to exceed the sum of $50,000, the proceeds of which shall be used in repairing, equipping, improving or altering the military memorial building. No bonds shall be issued by any city under the authority conferred by this section until the question of the issuance of the bonds has been submitted to a vote of the qualified electors of such city at a regular city election, or at a special election called for that purpose and a majority of those voting on the question vote in favor of the issuance of the bonds.
Such bond election shall be called and held and the bonds shall be issued, registered, sold, delivered and retired in accordance with the provisions of the general bond law. All bonds issued under the authority conferred by this act shall be subject to and within any bonded debt limitation provided by the laws of this state.
History: L. 1951, ch. 430, § 1; L. 1981, ch. 173, § 76; July 1.
The provisions of this act shall apply to any county having a population of not more than three thousand (3,000) which has been authorized by an election to levy taxes in the sum of seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) and which has levied taxes, acquired real estate and a fund amounting to more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) under the provisions of chapter 256 [*], of the Laws of Kansas of 1921, as amended, and which has taken no further steps toward the erection of any kind of a building or structure as authorized by said chapter.
History: L. 1953, ch. 362, § 1; June 30.
Whenever the board of county commissioners of any such county finds that the amount authorized to be levied as taxes is either insufficient or that the need for such building or structure has ceased to exist and shall also find that the general welfare of such county would be better served by a different type of memorial building other than the particular character of memorial approved by the voters, then such board may adopt a resolution setting forth such findings and stating the character of the memorial building suitable to the needs of the people of such county and publish such resolution for six (6) days in the official paper of the county, if the same be a daily, and for two (2) consecutive weeks, if the same be a weekly; whereupon said board shall proceed to construct the type of building described in said resolution and to use the proceeds of such tax levies for the payment of same and may use any surplus moneys after the building is completed for the repair, equipment and improvement of same: Provided, If a petition in opposition to same, signed by not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the electors of such county, is filed with the county clerk within thirty (30) days following the last publication of such resolution, then it shall be the duty of the board of county commissioners to submit the question to the electors of the county at the next general election for their approval or rejection; and if a majority of the electors voting at such election shall vote in favor thereof, said board shall proceed with the construction of such building.
History: L. 1953, ch. 362, § 2; June 30.
When the board of county commissioners of any county has constructed a medical building as a memorial under the authority of K.S.A. 73-450 and 73-451, the board of trustees of any such memorial building shall have the power to sell or lease such building and the land acquired for such memorial purpose, or any part thereof, to a hospital district organized under the provisions of article 18 of chapter 19 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and acts amendatory thereof and supplemental thereto. The trustees of any such hospital district may purchase or lease said building and land, or any part thereof.
History: L. 1961, ch. 169, § 1; April 17.
As used in this act: The term "person" includes a partnership, corporation or an association. The term "bureau" means the United States veterans' bureau or its successor. The term "estate" and "income" shall include only moneys received by the curator from the bureau and all earnings, interest and profits derived therefrom. The term "benefits" shall mean all moneys payable by the United States through the bureau. The term "director" means the director of the United States veterans' bureau or his successor. The term "pensioner" means a beneficiary of the bureau. The term "curator" as used herein shall mean any person acting as a fiduciary for a pensioner.
History: L. 1929, ch. 250, § 1; L. 1965, ch. 433, § 1; L. 1967, ch. 411, § 1; July 1.
Whenever, pursuant to any law of the United States or regulation of the bureau, the director requires, prior to payment of benefits, that a curator be appointed for a pensioner, such appointment shall be made in the manner hereinafter provided.
History: L. 1929, ch. 250, § 2; L. 1965, ch. 433, § 2; L. 1967, ch. 411, § 2; July 1.
History: L. 1929, ch. 250, § 3; L. 1965, ch. 433, § 3; L. 1967, ch. 411, § 3; Repealed, L. 1972, ch. 285, § 1; July 1.
A petition for appointment of a curator may be filed in any court of competent jurisdiction by or on behalf of any person who under existing law is entitled to priority of appointment. If there be no person so entitled or if the person so entitled shall neglect or refuse to file such petition within thirty (30) days after mailing of notice by the bureau to the last known address of such person indicating the necessity for the same a petition for such appointment may be filed in any court of competent jurisdiction by or on behalf of any responsible person residing in this state. The petition for appointment shall set forth the name, age, place of residence of the proposed pensioner, the names and places of residence of the nearest relative, if known, and the fact that such proposed pensioner is entitled to receive moneys payable by or through the bureau and shall set forth the amount of moneys then due and the amount of probable future payments.
The petition shall also set forth the name and addresses of the person or institution if any having actual custody of the proposed pensioner. In the case of a proposed pensioner who is an "incapacitated person" the petition shall show that such proposed pensioner has been rated incompetent on examination by the bureau in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the bureau.
History: L. 1929, ch. 250, § 4; L. 1965, ch. 433, § 4; L. 1967, ch. 411, § 4; July 1.
Where a petition is filed for the appointment of a curator for a proposed pensioner who is a minor, a certificate of the director, or his representative, setting forth the age of such minor as shown by the records of the bureau and that the appointment of a curator is a condition precedent to the payment of any moneys due the minor by the bureau, shall be prima facie evidence of the necessity for such appointment.
History: L. 1929, ch. 250, § 5; L. 1965, ch. 433, § 5; L. 1967, ch. 411, § 5; July 1.
Where a petition is filed for the appointment of a curator of a proposed pensioner who is alleged to be an incapacitated person a certificate of the director or his representative, setting forth the fact that such person has been rated incompetent by the bureau on examination in accordance with the laws and regulations governing such bureau and that the appointment of a curator is a condition precedent to the payment of any moneys due such person by the bureau, shall be prima facie evidence of the necessity for such appointment.
History: L. 1929, ch. 250, § 6; L. 1965, ch. 433, § 6; L. 1967, ch. 411, § 6; July 1.
Upon the filing of a petition for the appointment of a curator, under the provisions of this act, the court shall cause such notice to be given as provided by the Kansas uniform guardianship, conservatorship and other protective arrangements act, K.S.A. 59-30,101 through 59-30,212, and amendments thereto.
History: L. 1929, ch. 250, § 7; L. 1965, ch. 433, § 7; L. 1967, ch. 411, § 7; L. 2002, ch. 114, § 76; L. 2025, ch. 40, § 162; January 1, 2026.
Before making an appointment under the provisions of this act the court shall be satisfied that the proposed curator whose appointment is sought is a fit and proper person to be appointed. Upon the appointment being made the curator shall execute and file a bond to be approved by the court in an amount not less than the sum then due and estimated to become payable during the ensuing year. The said bond shall be in the form and be conditioned as required of conservators appointed under the laws of this state. The court shall have power from time to time to require the curator to file an additional bond. Where a bond is tendered by a curator with personal sureties, such sureties shall file with the court a certificate under oath which shall describe the property owned, both real and personal, and that they are each worth the sum named in the bond as the penalty thereof over and above all their debts and liabilities and exclusive of property exempt from execution.
History: L. 1929, ch. 250, § 8; L. 1965, ch. 433, § 8; L. 1967, ch. 411, § 8; July 1.
Every curator who shall receive on account of his pensioner any moneys from the veterans' administration shall file with the court annually, on the anniversary date of the appointment, in addition to such other accounts as may be required by the court, a full, true, and accurate account, under oath, of all moneys so received by him, of all disbursements thereof, and showing the balance thereof in his hands at the date of such account and how invested. A certified copy of each of such accounts filed with the court shall be sent by the curator to the office of the veterans' administration having jurisdiction over the area in which such court is located.
The court shall fix a time and place for the hearing on such account not less than fifteen (15) days nor more than thirty (30) days from the date of filing same and notice thereof shall be given by the court to the aforesaid veterans' administration office not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the date fixed for the hearing. Notice of such hearing shall in like manner be given to the curator. Upon rendering any such account the curator shall produce for examination by the court, or a duly authorized clerk or other appointee thereof, evidences of balance on deposit, and of investments reported therein, which shall be described in such account in sufficient detail so that they may be identified, and the court or its duly authorized clerk or other appointee shall ascertain whether such balance on deposit and investments correspond with such account, and if so shall certify to that effect upon the account filed with the court and upon the copy supplied the veterans' administration.
History: L. 1929, ch. 250, § 9; L. 1939, ch. 283, § 1; L. 1965, ch. 433, § 9; L. 1967, ch. 411, § 9; July 1.
If any curator shall fail to file any account of the moneys received by him from the bureau on account of his pensioner within thirty (30) days after such account is required by either the court or the bureau, or shall fail to furnish the bureau a copy of his accounts as required by this act, such failure shall be grounds for removal.
History: L. 1929, ch. 250, § 10; L. 1965, ch. 433, § 10; L. 1967, ch. 411, § 10; July 1.
Compensation payable to curators shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the income of the pensioner during any year, or one percent (1%) of the corpus of the estate, whichever is greater. In the event of extraordinary services rendered by such curator the court may, upon petition and after hearing thereon, authorize additional compensation therefor payable from the estate of the pensioner. Notice of such petition and hearing shall be given the proper office of the bureau in the manner provided in K.S.A. 73-509. No compensation shall be allowed on the corpus of an estate received from a preceding curator. The curator may be allowed from the estate of his pensioner reasonable premiums paid by him to any corporate surety upon his bond.
History: L. 1929, ch. 250, § 11; L. 1947, ch. 395, § 1; L. 1965, ch. 433, § 11; L. 1967, ch. 411, § 11; July 1.
It shall be the duty of curators to invest and keep invested their pensioner's surplus money and only in the securities hereinafter indicated, and in which the curator has no interest. Such investments, except those provided in paragraph (A) hereof, shall be made only upon the prior approval of the court, after notice to the veterans' administration as provided in K.S.A. 73-523.
(A) Direct obligations of this state and of the United States government, and obligations, the interest and principal of which are both unconditionally guaranteed by the United States government; or, shares or accounts in savings and loan associations insured by the federal savings and loan insurance corporation to the extent covered by such insurance; or, certificates of deposit or savings accounts in banks insured by the federal deposit insurance corporation, to the extent covered by such insurance.
(B) The bonds of any other state, or of any county, city or town in the United States with a population as shown by next preceding federal census of not less than ten thousand (10,000) inhabitants, and which bonds were not issued in aid of railroads, and where the laws do not permit such counties, cities or towns to become indebted in excess of five percent (5%) of the assessed valuation of property for taxation therein, and where the total indebtedness of such county, city or municipality, does not exceed five percent (5%) of the assessed valuation of property for taxation at the time of such investment: Provided always, There has been no default for more than thirty (30) days during the preceding ten (10) years upon any of the issuing state, county, city or town.
(C) In the legally issued notes of the owner of improved unencumbered real property located in this state secured by first mortgage or deed of trust thereon: Provided, That the total debt secured by such encumbrances does not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the actual cash value of such real property at the time of such investment: And provided, That if buildings or other improvements constitute a material part of the value of such premises encumbered to secure such indebtedness they shall be kept insured against loss or damage by fire in a reasonable amount for the benefit of the owners of such notes secured by first mortgages or deeds of trust.
Before making any such investment a signed application therefor shall be procured from the borrower, which shall contain such information as may be required by the lender, and in every case shall contain a complete description of the real estate, including improvements thereon, and an affirmative statement that such proposed borrower is the owner of the entire fee-simple title to such real estate and improvements, that same are free of every encumbrance or lien of any character, or if not, a statement of any existing encumbrance or other liens thereon and specific authorization to the lender to withhold from the proposed loan the necessary sum to discharge and procure the release of any such encumbrances or other liens, and such release shall in all cases be procured and filed for record prior to or contemporaneously with the making of such loan. The proposed borrower shall also furnish with such application an abstract or certificate of title and same shall be completed to the time of closing the loan. The curator proposing to make any such loan or to purchase any notes secured by first mortgage or deed of trust shall exhibit to the court with his application for approval thereof the opinion of a qualified attorney-at-law satisfactory to the court, which opinion shall show that such attorney has examined said title or certificate of title and the papers evidencing the proposed debt and encumbrance to secure same, and based thereon it is the opinion of such attorney that the proposed borrower has good title to the property to be encumbered and that such proposed encumbrance will constitute a valid first lien thereon. In addition thereto the curator shall file with the court satisfactory written evidence that the reasonable cash value of the property to be encumbered is in accordance with the requirements of this paragraph.
If the curator purchases previously issued notes secured by first mortgage or deed of trust, the attorney's examination and opinion shall also disclose whether the proposed transferor has and will pass to the curator good title thereto together with the liens securing same as hereinbefore provided. In such case the curator shall file with the court satisfactory written evidence of value of the encumbered property as is hereinabove required, as of the time of acquiring such notes.
History: L. 1929, ch. 250, § 12; L. 1939, ch. 283, § 2; L. 1951, ch. 432, § 1; L. 1957, ch. 422, § 1; L. 1965, ch. 433, § 12; L. 1967, ch. 411, § 12; July 1.
A curator shall not apply any portion of the estate of his pensioner for the support and maintenance of any person other than his pensioner, except upon order of the court after a hearing, notice of which has been given the proper office of the bureau in the manner provided in K.S.A. 73-509.
History: L. 1929, ch. 250, § 13; L. 1965, ch. 433, § 13; L. 1967, ch. 411, § 13; July 1.
Whenever a copy of any public record is required by the bureau to be used in determining the eligibility of any person to participate in benefits made available to such bureau, the official charged with the custody of such public record shall without charge provide the applicant for such benefits or any person acting on his behalf or the representative of such bureau with a certified copy of such record.
History: L. 1929, ch. 250, § 14; May 28.
History: L. 1929, ch. 250, § 15; Repealed, L. 1949, ch. 402, § 4; June 30.
Whenever, in any proceeding under the laws of this state a proposed patient is determined to be a mentally ill person and is in need of care or treatment at a psychiatric hospital and it appears that such person is eligible for care or treatment by the veterans' administration or other agency of the United States government, the court, upon receipt of a certificate from the veterans' administration or such other agency showing that facilities are available and that such person is eligible for care or treatment therein, may order such person to said veterans' administration or other agency.
The proposed patient shall be personally served with notice of the pending proceeding to determine a mentally ill person in the manner as provided by the law of this state; and nothing in this act shall affect his right to appear and be heard in the proceedings. Upon being ordered for care or treatment, such person, when admitted to any facility operated by any such agency within or without this state shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the veterans' administration or other agency. The chief officer of any facility of the veterans' administration or institution operated by any other agency of the United States to which the person is so ordered for care or treatment shall with respect to such person be vested with the same powers as superintendents of state psychiatric hospitals within this state with respect to retention of custody, transfer, convalescent leave or discharge.
Jurisdiction is retained in the court having venue of such proceedings at any time to inquire into the mental condition of the person so ordered for care or treatment, and to determine the necessity for continuance of his restraint, and all orders for care or treatment pursuant to this act are so conditioned.
History: L. 1949, ch. 402, § 1; L. 1965, ch. 433, § 14; January 1, 1966.
The order for care or treatment of a person determined to be a mentally ill person entered by a court of competent jurisdiction of another state or of the District of Columbia, which orders a person to the veterans' administration, or other agency of the United States government for care or treatment shall have the same force and effect as to the involuntary patient while in this state as in the jurisdiction in which is situated the court entering the judgment or making the order; and the courts of the state ordering such care or treatment, or of the District of Columbia, shall be deemed to have retained jurisdiction of the person so ordered for care or treatment for the purpose of inquiring into the mental condition of such person, and of determining the necessity for continuance of his care or treatment; as is provided in K.S.A. 73-515a with respect to persons ordered for care or treatment by the courts of this state. Consent is hereby given to the application of the law of the state ordering such care or treatment or district in respect to the authority of the chief officer of any facility of the veterans' administration, or of any institution operated in this state by any other agency of the United States to retain custody, or transfer, or place on convalescent leave or discharge the involuntary patient.
History: L. 1949, ch. 402, § 2; L. 1965, ch. 433, § 15; January 1, 1966.
Upon receipt of a certificate of the veterans' administration or such other agency of the United States that facilities are available for the care or treatment of any person heretofore ordered to receive care or treatment at any psychiatric hospital or other facility for care or treatment and that such person is eligible for care or treatment, the superintendent of the institution may cause the transfer of such person to the veterans' administration or other agency of the United States for care or treatment. Upon effecting any such transfer, the court having venue or proper officer thereof shall be notified thereof by the transferring agency. No person shall be transferred to the veterans' administration or other agency of the United States if he be confined pursuant to conviction of any felony or misdemeanor or if he has been acquitted of the charge solely on the ground of insanity, unless prior to transfer the court or other authority originally ordering care or treatment of such person shall enter an order for such transfer after appropriate motion and hearing. Any person transferred as provided in this section shall be deemed to be ordered to receive care or treatment by the veterans' administration or other agency of the United States pursuant to the original order for care or treatment.
History: L. 1949, ch. 402, § 3; L. 1965, ch. 433, § 16; January 1, 1966.
When a pensioner for whom a curator has been appointed under the provisions of this act or other laws of this state shall have attained his or her majority, and if an incapacitated person shall be declared to be restored to capacity by the bureau and the court, and when any pensioner, not a minor, shall be declared to be restored to capacity by said bureau and the court, the curator shall upon making a satisfactory accounting be discharged upon a petition filed for that purpose.
History: L. 1929, ch. 250, § 16; L. 1965, ch. 433, § 17; L. 1967, ch. 411, § 14; July 1.
This act shall be construed liberally to secure the beneficial intents and purposes thereof, and shall apply only to beneficiaries of the bureau.
History: L. 1929, ch. 250, § 17; May 28.
This act may be cited as the "curators for veterans act."
History: L. 1929, ch. 250, § 18; L. 1965, ch. 433, § 18; L. 1967, ch. 411, § 15; July 1.
This act shall be so interpreted and construed as to effectuate its general purposes to make uniform the law of those states which enact it.
History: L. 1929, ch. 250, § 19; May 28.
The invalidity of any portion of this act shall not affect the validity of any other portion thereof which can be given effect without such invalid part.
History: L. 1929, ch. 250, § 20; May 28.
All laws or parts of laws relating to beneficiaries of the bureau inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed.
History: L. 1929, ch. 250, § 21; May 28.
The court may authorize the purchase of the entire fee-simple title to real estate in this state in which the curator has no interest, but only as a home for the pensioner, or to protect his interests or (if he is not a minor) as a home for his dependent family. Such purchase of real estate shall not be made except upon the entry of an order of the court after hearing upon verified petition. Notice of such hearing shall be given the veterans' administration in the manner and within the time provided by K.S.A. 73-523. Before authorizing such investment the court shall require evidence of value and title as is hereinabove provided, and of the advisability of acquiring such real estate. Title shall be taken in the pensioner's name. This paragraph shall not be construed to limit the right of the curator, on behalf of his pensioner, to bid and to become the purchaser of real estate at a sale thereof pursuant to decree of foreclosure of a lien held by or for the pensioner, or at a trustee's sale, to protect the pensioner's right in the property so foreclosed or sold, or at a sale under partition decree, if necessary to protect the pensioner's interest in such property.
History: L. 1939, ch. 283, § 3; L. 1965, ch. 433, § 19; L. 1967, ch. 411, § 16; July 1.
The administrator of veterans' affairs or his successor, is and shall be a party in interest in any proceedings brought under any law of this state for the appointment of a conservator or curator of a veteran of any war or other beneficiary on whose account benefits of compensation, adjusted compensation, pension or insurance or other benefits are payable by the veterans' administration, and the said administrator or his successor is and shall be an interested party in the administration of the estate of any such pensioner on whose account such benefits are payable or whose estate includes assets derived from benefits paid by the veterans' administration, its predecessor or successor, and written notice shall be given by registered mail (unless waived in writing) to the office of the veterans' administration having jurisdiction over the area in which the court is located, of the time and place for hearing on any petition or pleading or in connection with any proceeding pertaining to or affecting in any manner the administration of the estate of any beneficiary of the veterans' administration. Said notice shall be given at such time as to reach such office in due course of mail not less than ten (10) days before the date of such hearing or other proceeding.
History: L. 1939, ch. 283, § 4; L. 1965, ch. 433, § 20; L. 1967, ch. 411, § 17; July 1.
History: L. 1929, ch. 251, §§ 1 to 7; Repealed, L. 1931, ch. 278, § 1; March 12.
A state flag be and the same is hereby adopted to be used on every and all occasions, when the state is officially represented, with the privilege of the use by all citizens on all fitting and appropriate occasions which shall be authorized by state authorities.
History: L. 1927, ch. 281, § 1; March 23.
The official state flag of the state of Kansas shall be a rectangle of dark-blue silk or bunting, three (3) feet on the staff by five (5) feet fly.
The great seal of the state of Kansas, without its surrounding band of lettering, shall be located equidistant from the staff and the fly side of the flag, with the lower edge of the seal located eleven (11) inches above the base side of the flag. The great seal shall be surmounted by a crest and the word KANSAS shall be located underneath the seal. The seal shall be seventeen (17) inches in diameter. The crest shall be on a wreath or an azure, a sunflower slipped proper, which divested of its heraldic language is a sunflower as torn from its stalk in its natural colors on a bar of twisted gold and blue. The crest shall be six (6) inches in diameter; the wreath shall be nine (9) inches in length. The top of the crest shall be located two (2) inches beneath the top side of the flag. The letters KANSAS shall be imprinted in gold block letters below the seal, the said letters to be properly proportioned, and five (5) inches in height, imprinted with a stroke one (1) inch wide; and the first letter K shall commence with the same distance from the staff side of the flag as the end of the last letter S is from the fly side of the flag. The bottom edge of the letters shall be two (2) inches above the base side of the flag. Larger or smaller flags will be of the same proportional dimensions.
The colors in the seal shall be as follows: Stars, silver; hills, purple; sun, deep yellow; glory, light yellow; sky, yellow and orange from hills half way to motto, upper half, azure; grass, green; river, light blue; boat, white; house, dark brown; ground, brown; wagons, white; near horse, white; off horse, bay; buffalo, dark, almost black; motto, white; scroll, light brown.
History: L. 1927, ch. 281, § 2; L. 1961, ch. 376, § 1; L. 1963, ch. 394, § 1; June 30.
A state banner be and the same is hereby adopted to be used on every and all occasions, when the state is officially and publicly represented, with the privilege of the use by all citizens on all fitting and appropriate occasions authorized by the state authorities.
History: L. 1925, ch. 290, § 1; February 27.
The official banner of the state of Kansas, provided for in K.S.A. 73-703, shall be of solid blue and shall be of the same tint as the color of the field of the United States flag, whose width shall be three-fourths of its length, with a sunflower in the center having a diameter of two-thirds of the space of the banner, enclosing and surrounding with its petals of gold, a brown center having a diameter of two-fifths the size of the sunflower. Service banners may be made of bunting or other material of such size as required on conforming to the proportionate specifications.
History: L. 1925, ch. 290, § 2; L. 1953, ch. 360, § 1; June 30.
The governor of this state shall on or before June 1 of each year issue a proclamation recommending that June 14, flag day, be observed by the people of this state by the display of the flag of the United States of America and in such other ways as will be in harmony with the general character of the day.
History: L. 1939, ch. 309, § 1; June 30.
Every person or board having under its jurisdiction the main administration building of any public institution in this state shall have the flag of the United States of America displayed on said main administration building each day except that the flag need not be so displayed when the weather is inclement.
History: L. 1939, ch. 309, § 2; June 30.
The board of education of every school district and the proprietor of a private or parochial school, in this state shall provide a suitable flag of the United States of America with staff or flagpole for every schoolhouse under the control and supervision of such board or proprietor. The flag shall be displayed in conformance with the instructions relating to flag etiquette, use and display adopted by the state board of education under K.S.A. 72-5308, and amendments thereto.
History: L. 1939, ch. 309, § 3; L. 2001, ch. 79, § 2; July 1.
Every person in this state charged with the duty of providing supplies at any election polling place, shall provide a suitable flag of the United States of America, and shall cause the same to be displayed in each polling place on the day of each and every election.
History: L. 1939, ch. 309, § 4; June 30.
Revisor's Note: Later act, see 21-4114.
History: L. 1939, ch. 309, § 5; Repealed, L. 1970, ch. 307, § 3; July 1.
Any person failing to comply with or violating any of the provisions of this act shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not less than five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars.
History: L. 1939, ch. 309, § 6; June 30.
As used in this act:
(a) The words "school district" mean and include any common-school district, rural high-school district, community high-school district, and any first- or second-class city school district; and
(b) the words "governing body" mean and include the district board of any common-school district, the district board of any rural high-school district, the board of trustees of any community high-school district, and the board of education of any city of the first or second class.
History: L. 1961, ch. 353, § 1; April 10.
It shall be the duty of the governing body of every school district in the state and of the supervisory authority of every private and parochial school to provide an official state flag for the school district or for the school under its jurisdiction and control, and to have said state flag displayed on the school grounds each day during the school year: Provided, That when the weather is inclement, the flag may be displayed within the school building.
History: L. 1961, ch. 353, § 2; April 10.
The march "The Kansas March," composed by Duff E. Middleton, is hereby established as the official state march of Kansas. Said march is as follows:
History: L. 1935, ch. 262, § 1; May 15.
The march, "Here's Kansas" composed by Bill Post, is hereby established as an official march of Kansas. Such march is as follows:
History: L. 1992, ch. 187, § 1; July 1.
The bird known as the western meadow lark, Sturnella-Neglecta (Audubon), as preferred by a vote of Kansas school children, is hereby designated and declared to be the official bird of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 1937, ch. 319, § 1; June 30.
The tree known as the cottonwood is hereby designated and declared to be the official tree of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 1937, ch. 318, § 1; June 30.
Any city situated in any county adjoining a United States military reservation may, whenever deemed expedient by its governing body, acquire, establish and maintain such buildings, rooms and facilities as the governing body deems necessary for the recreation and entertainment of United States soldiers and their relatives and friends, and may use public buildings for such purposes.
History: L. 1941, ch. 114, § 1; April 9.
Any such city may use any sums available in its general fund for such purpose and may further levy a tax each year on all taxable tangible property in such city for the purpose of acquiring, establishing or maintaining such buildings, rooms or facilities and to pay a portion of the principal and interest on bonds issued by such city under the authority of K.S.A. 12-1774, and amendments thereto.
History: L. 1941, ch. 114, § 2; L. 1970, ch. 69, § 21; L. 1975, ch. 494, § 32; L. 1979, ch. 52, § 191; July 1.
Any city situated in any county adjoining or containing a United States military reservation, which has levied a tax for the purpose of acquiring, establishing, and maintaining buildings, rooms and facilities for the recreation and entertainment of United States soldiers and their relatives and friends, may, upon the abandonment or closing of such military reservation, and when in the judgment of its governing body it shall be deemed necessary and desirable, transfer all or any part of such fund no longer necessary or required for the purposes for which levied and collected, into the general fund of such city.
History: L. 1947, ch. 132, § 1; June 30.
This act shall be known as the Persian Gulf War veterans health initiative act.
History: L. 1997, ch. 39, § 1; July 1.
History: L. 1945, ch. 302, §§ 1 to 6; Repealed, L. 1951, ch. 433, § 8; July 1.
History: L. 1951, ch. 433, § 1; L. 1953, ch. 361, § 1; L. 1997, ch. 118, § 11; Repealed, L. 2014, ch. 83, § 60; July 1.
History: L. 1951, ch. 433, § 2; Repealed, L. 1953, ch. 361, § 29; July 1.
Revisor's Note: The commission was detached from the Department of Human Resources and established as an independent state agency by L. 1986, ch. 278.
History: L. 1953, ch. 361, § 2; L. 1967, ch. 412, § 1; L. 1974, ch. 348, § 43; L. 1982, ch. 347, § 29; L. 1986, ch. 278, § 1; L. 1992, ch. 262, § 8; L. 2009, ch. 62, § 7; Repealed, L. 2014, ch. 83, § 60; July 1.
History: L. 1953, ch. 361, § 3; L. 1997, ch. 118, § 12; L. 1998, ch. 126, § 1; Repealed, L. 2014, ch. 83, § 60; July 1.
Revisor's Note: Powers, duties and functions of previous director transferred to executive director of Kansas commission on veterans affairs, see 73-1220.
History: L. 1953, ch. 361, § 4; L. 1961, ch. 409, § 12; L. 1965, ch. 458, § 4; L. 1967, ch. 412, § 2; L. 1976, ch. 370, § 83; L. 1985, ch. 292, § 18; L. 1986, ch. 278, § 2; Repealed, L. 2014, ch. 83, § 60; July 1.
History: L. 2014, ch. 83, § 1; Repealed, L. 2024, ch. 84, § 75; July 1.
History: L. 2014, ch. 83, § 2; Repealed, L. 2024, ch. 84, § 75; July 1.
History: L. 2014, ch. 83, § 3; Repealed, L. 2024, ch. 84, § 75; July 1.
(a) The Kansas commission on veterans affairs office and the office of the director of the Kansas commission on veterans affairs office that were created by K.S.A. 73-1208e, and amendments thereto, are hereby abolished.
(b) All powers, duties and functions of the Kansas commission on veterans affairs office and the director of the Kansas commission on veterans affairs office under K.S.A. 73-1208e and 73-1208f, and amendments thereto, are hereby transferred and imposed upon the Kansas office of veterans services and the director of the Kansas office of veterans services.
(c) The Kansas commission on veterans affairs office, as established by K.S.A. 73-1208e, and amendments thereto, is hereby renamed the Kansas office of veterans services and the director of the Kansas commission on veterans affairs is renamed the director of the Kansas office of veterans services.
(d) Whenever the Kansas commission on veterans affairs office, or words of like effect, are referred to or designated by a statute, contract or other document, and such reference or designation is in regard to any function, power or duty of the Kansas commission on veterans affairs office, such reference or designation shall be deemed to apply to the Kansas office of veterans services.
(e) Whenever the director of the Kansas commission on veterans affairs office, or words of like effect, are referred to or designated by a statute, contract or other document, and such reference or designation is in regard to any function, power or duty of the director of the Kansas commission on veterans affairs office, such reference or designation shall be deemed to apply to the director of the Kansas office of veterans services.
(f) All rules and regulations, orders and directives of the director of Kansas commission on veterans affairs office that are in effect on the effective date of this act shall continue to be effective and shall be deemed to be rules and regulations, orders and directives of the director of the Kansas office of veterans services until amended, revoked or nullified pursuant to law.
History: L. 2024, ch. 84, § 1; July 1.
(a) There is hereby established within the executive branch of government the Kansas office of veterans services, which shall be administered under the direction and supervision of the director of the Kansas office of veterans services. The director of the Kansas office of veterans services, who shall be a veteran, shall be appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the senate as provided in K.S.A. 75-4315b, and amendments thereto. Except as provided by K.S.A. 46-2601, and amendments thereto, no person appointed as the director of the Kansas office of veterans services shall exercise any power, duty or function as director until confirmed by the senate. Except as otherwise provided by this section, the director of the Kansas office of veterans services shall be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act, shall serve at the pleasure of the governor and shall receive an annual salary fixed by the governor.
(b) All budgeting, purchasing and related management functions of the Kansas office of veterans services, shall be administered under the direction and supervision of the director of the Kansas office of veterans services.
(c) All vouchers for expenditures from appropriations to or for the Kansas office of veterans services shall be approved by the director of the Kansas office of veterans services or a person or persons designated by the director for such purpose.
(d) The provisions of the Kansas governmental operations accountability law apply to the Kansas office of veterans services, and the office is subject to audit, review and evaluation under such law.
History: L. 2024, ch. 84, § 2; July 1.
The Kansas office of veterans services shall be responsible for carrying out the general policies of the governor and the director of the Kansas office of veterans services by:
(a) Affording and furnishing to veterans, and relatives and dependents of such veterans, information, advice, direction and assistance through the coordination of programs and services in the fields of education, health, vocational guidance and placement, mental care and economic security; and
(b) managing, operating and controlling the Kansas soldiers' home and the Kansas veterans' home.
History: L. 2024, ch. 84, § 3; July 1.
The director of the Kansas office of veterans services, in accordance with general policies directed by the governor, shall:
(a) Collect data and information as to the facilities, benefits and services now or hereafter available to veterans, and relatives and dependents of such veterans, and furnish such information to veterans, and relatives and dependents of such veterans, and local service officers of veterans' organizations.
(b) Prepare plans for a comprehensive statewide veterans' service program.
(c) Coordinate the program of state agencies which may properly be utilized in the administration of various aspects of the problems of veterans, and relatives and dependents of veterans, such as the Kansas department for children and families, the department of labor, the state board of education, the board of regents and any other state office, department or board furnishing service to veterans or relatives or dependents of such veterans.
(d) Provide a central contact between federal and state agencies dealing with the problems of veterans and relatives and dependents of such veterans.
(e) Maintain records of cases handled by the director which shall show at least the following information: (1) The name of the veteran; (2) the claim or case number of the veteran; and (3) the amount of monthly benefit received by the veteran, so as to facilitate the necessary interchange of case histories among state administrative agencies and provide a clearinghouse of information.
(f) Provide such services to veterans and relatives and dependents of such veterans as are not otherwise offered by federal agencies.
(g) Provide a central agency to which veterans, and relatives and dependents of such veterans, may turn for information and assistance.
(h) Provide and maintain such field services as shall be necessary to properly care for the needs of veterans, and relatives and dependents of such veterans, which shall not be operated in connection with the Kansas department for children and families.
(i) Provide certification of service of a veteran of the armed forces of the United States of America in a combat zone to any sentencing judge requesting such certification pursuant to K.S.A. 21-6630, and amendments thereto.
(j) Adopt, amend or revoke any rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of article 12 of chapter 73 and article 19 of chapter 76 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto.
(k) Appoint and oversee the superintendents of the Kansas soldiers' home and Kansas veterans' home.
(l) Designate persons who shall be in charge of the member funds at the Kansas soldiers' home under K.S.A. 76-1935, and amendments thereto, and the Kansas veterans' home under K.S.A. 76-1956, and amendments thereto.
(m) Appoint and oversee the deputy director of veterans services pursuant to K.S.A. 73-1234, and amendments thereto.
(n) (1) Annually prepare and submit a written report to the house committee on veterans, military and homeland security and to the governor, providing the following:
(A) Any progress made by the Kansas office of veterans services and its director in response to any recommendations provided to such office in the preceding fiscal year by the legislative division of post audit;
(B) information on the current financial control practices implemented by the Kansas office of veterans services for the Kansas soldiers' home and the Kansas veterans' home, including, but not limited to, the current policies and procedures at both facilities;
(C) information on the current residential care services provided for veterans in the Kansas soldiers' home and the Kansas veterans' home;
(D) recommendations for legislation necessary to ensure that the needs of the veterans in Kansas are met; and
(E) any other information deemed necessary.
(2) The director of the Kansas office of veterans services shall submit the report on or before the first day of the legislative session in 2015, and each year thereafter.
History: L. 1951, ch. 433, § 3; L. 1953, ch. 361, § 5; L. 1976, ch. 370, § 84; L. 2004, ch. 179, § 96; L. 2014, ch. 95, § 5; L. 2014, ch. 117, § 8; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 26; July 1.
History: L. 1951, ch. 433, § 4; Repealed, L. 1953, ch. 361, § 29; July 1.
(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, and subject to the Kansas civil service act, the director of the Kansas office of veterans services shall appoint:
(1) Subordinate officers and employees, subject to the approval of the governor, as are necessary to enable the director to exercise or perform the functions, powers and duties pursuant to the provisions of article 12 of chapter 73 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto;
(2) the superintendent of the Kansas soldiers' home;
(3) the superintendent of the Kansas veterans' home; and
(4) the deputy director of veterans services pursuant to K.S.A. 73-1234, and amendments thereto.
(b) (1) Upon the commencement of the interview process, every candidate shall be given a written notice that a criminal history records check is required. The director of the Kansas office of veterans services shall require such candidates to be fingerprinted and submit to a state and national criminal history record check in accordance with K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 22-4714, and amendments thereto.
(2) As used in this subsection, "candidate" means an applicant for a position in the Kansas office of veterans services that interviews claimants and provides information, advice and counseling to veterans, surviving spouses and their dependents concerning compensation, pension, education, vocational rehabilitation, insurance, hospitalization, outpatient care, home loans, housing, tax exemptions, burial benefits and other benefits to which they may be entitled.
(c) Persons employed by the Kansas soldiers' home and Kansas veterans' home shall be excluded from the provisions of subsection (b). No person who has been employed by the director of the Kansas office of veterans services for five consecutive years immediately prior to the effective date of this act shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (b) while employed by the director of the Kansas office of veterans services.
(d) (1) Except as otherwise provided by law, and subject to the Kansas civil service act, the director of the Kansas office of veterans services shall appoint subordinate officers and employees, a superintendent of the Kansas soldiers' home and a superintendent of the Kansas veterans' home, as shall be necessary to enable the director of the Kansas office of veterans services to exercise or perform its functions, powers and duties pursuant to the provisions of article 19 of chapter 76 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto.
(2) (A) All subordinate officers and employees shall be within the classified service under the Kansas civil service act, shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as the director of the Kansas office of veterans services may prescribe and such duties and powers as are designated by law, and shall act for and exercise the powers of the the director of the Kansas office of veterans services.
(B) The superintendent of the Kansas soldiers' home shall be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act and shall receive an annual salary fixed by the director of the Kansas office of veterans services, with the approval of the governor. The superintendent of the Kansas soldiers' home shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as the director may prescribe, and such duties and powers as are prescribed by law.
(C) The superintendent of the Kansas veterans' home shall be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act and shall receive an annual salary fixed by the director of the Kansas office of veterans services, with the approval of the governor. The superintendent of the Kansas veterans' home shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as the director may prescribe, and such duties and powers as are prescribed by law.
(e) Any veterans service representative appointed by the director of the Kansas office of veterans services shall be an honorably discharged veteran or retired from the United States armed forces. No veterans service representative of the Kansas office of veterans services shall take a power of attorney in the name of the director of the Kansas office of veterans services. Nothing in this act shall be construed to prohibit any such veterans service representative from assisting any veteran with any claim in which a power of attorney is not required.
(f) For the purpose of this subsection, "veterans service representative" means any officer or employee appointed pursuant to this section whose primary duties include:
(1) Assisting veterans and their dependents in securing benefits from the federal government and the state of Kansas.
(2) Providing information and assistance to veterans and dependents in obtaining special services and benefits based on knowledge of federal and state laws, policies and regulations pertaining to veterans benefits and services.
(3) Providing assistance to veterans service organizations participating in the veterans claims assistance program.
History: L. 1986, ch. 278, § 5; L. 1997, ch. 28, § 1; L. 1998, ch. 150, § 1; L. 2007, ch. 43, § 1; L. 2008, ch. 99, § 5; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 10; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 27; L. 2024, ch. 100, § 13; July 1.
History: L. 1986, ch. 278, § 5; L. 1997, ch. 118, § 13; Repealed, L. 1998, ch. 150, § 2; July 1.
All claims filed with the federal veterans' administration by the director of the Kansas office of veterans services shall be prosecuted by an accredited representative of one of the participating veterans' organizations. No employee of any veterans' organization shall participate in or receive any funds hereinafter appropriated or made available to the director of the Kansas office of veterans services unless such employing veterans' organization shall prosecute any and all claims to the federal veterans' administration that are referred to them or their employees by the director of the Kansas office of veterans services.
History: L. 1951, ch. 433, § 5; L. 1953, ch. 361, § 6; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 11; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 28; July 1.
History: L. 1951, ch. 433, §§ 6, 7; Repealed, L. 1976, ch. 370, § 104; July 1.
History: L. 1953, ch. 361, §§ 7, 8; Repealed, L. 1976, ch. 370, § 104; July 1.
As used in this act, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them herein: (a) "Prisoner of war" and "person missing in action" shall mean any person who was a resident of the state of Kansas at the time he entered service of the United States armed forces and who, while serving in said U.S. armed forces, has been declared to be a prisoner of war or to be a person missing in action, as established by the U.S. secretary of defense, after January 1, 1960, or any person who, while serving in said U.S. armed forces, has been declared to be a prisoner of war or to be a person missing in action, as established by the U.S. secretary of defense, after January 1, 1960, and who has a dependent actually living in Kansas on the effective date of this act; and
(b) "Dependent" shall mean any child born before or during the period of time such child's father served as a prisoner of war or was declared to be a person missing in action, or any child legally adopted or in the legal custody of any person prior to and during the time such person served as a prisoner of war or was declared to be a person missing in action.
History: L. 1972, ch. 279, § 1; April 1.
The board of trustees of every community college, the board of regents of Washburn university of Topeka, the governing board of every technical college and the governing body of every other institution of post-high school education which is supported by any state moneys shall provide for enrollment without charge of tuition or fees for any dependent of a prisoner of war or a person missing in action, so long as such dependent is eligible, but not to exceed 12 semesters of instruction or the equivalent thereof at all such institutions for any person if the person started such instruction prior to July 1, 2005, or 10 semesters if the person started such instruction on or after July 1, 2005. Once a person qualifies as a dependent under the terms and provisions of this act, no occurrence, such as the return of the dependent's parent or such parent's reported death, shall disqualify the dependent from the provisions or benefits of this act. The state board of regents, the board of trustees of any community college, or the governing body of any other institution which grants tuition for fees without charge to a dependent under this act may file a claim with the director of the Kansas office of veterans services for reimbursement of the amount of such tuition or fees. The director of the Kansas office of veterans services shall administer this act and qualifications of persons as dependents shall be determined by such director. Such director may adopt rules and regulations making more specific the definitions herein contained and for the administration of this act.
History: L. 1972, ch. 279, § 2; L. 1975, ch. 275, § 3; L. 1976, ch. 326, § 1; L. 2005, ch. 120, § 3; L. 2011, ch. 97, § 38; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 12; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 29; July 1.
(a) The state board of regents, the board of trustees of every community college, the board of regents of Washburn university of Topeka, the governing board of every technical college and the governing body of every other institution of post-high school education which is supported by any state moneys shall provide for enrollment without charge of tuition or fees for any dependent of a person who died as the result of a service-connected disability suffered during the Vietnam conflict as a result of such conflict, so long as such dependent is eligible, but not to exceed 12 semesters of instruction or the equivalent thereof at all such institutions for any person. Once a person qualifies as a dependent under the terms and provisions of this act, no occurrence, such as the return of the dependent's father or mother, shall disqualify the dependent from the provisions or benefits of this act. The governing body of every institution of post-high school education which is supported by any state moneys and which grants tuition or fees without charge to a dependent under this act may file a claim with the director of the Kansas office of veterans services for reimbursement of the amount of such tuition or fees. The director of the Kansas office of veterans services shall administer this act and the qualification of persons as dependents shall be determined by such director. Such director may adopt rules and regulations making more specific the definition herein contained and for the administration of this act.
(b) As used in this act, "dependent" means any child born to, legally adopted by, or in the legal custody of a person who was a resident of the state of Kansas at the time such person entered service of the United States armed forces and who, while serving in the United States armed forces in the geographical area of the Vietnam conflict, has been declared to be a person who died as the result of a service-connected disability suffered during the Vietnam conflict as a result of such conflict.
History: L. 1976, ch. 324, § 1; L. 1977, ch. 262, § 1; L. 2011, ch. 97, § 39; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 13; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 30; July 1.
History: L. 1986, ch. 278, § 4; L. 2004, ch. 179, § 97; Repealed, L. 2014, ch. 83, § 60; July 1.
History: L. 1986, ch. 278, § 3; Repealed, L. 2014, ch. 83, § 60; July 1.
This act shall be known as the Persian Gulf War veterans health initiative act.
History: L. 1997, ch. 39, § 1; July 1.
As used in K.S.A. 73-1221 through 73-1231, and amendments thereto, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(a) "Birth defect" means any physical or mental abnormality or condition, including any susceptibility to any illness or condition other than normal childhood illnesses or conditions.
(b) "Board" means the Persian Gulf War veterans health initiative board established by K.S.A. 73-1223, and amendments thereto.
(c) "Director" means the director of the Kansas office of veterans services.
(d) "Gulf War syndrome" means the wide range of physical and mental conditions, problems and illnesses that are connected with service in the armed forces of the United States during and in the area of operations of the Persian Gulf War.
(e) "Veteran" means a person who is a resident of Kansas who served in the active military, naval or air service and who performed active service in the area of operations of the Persian Gulf War during the Persian Gulf War or thereafter regardless of whether such person is still actively serving in the armed forces or reserve.
History: L. 1997, ch. 39, § 2; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 14; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 31; July 1.
(a) There is hereby established with the Kansas office of veterans services an advisory board known to be the Persian Gulf War veterans health initiative board. The board shall be advisory to the director in the implementation and administration of this act.
(b) The board shall consist of nine members appointed as follows:
(1) At least three members shall be veterans. The director shall notify the state level unit of the disabled American veterans, the veterans of foreign wars of the United States and the American legion and request a list of three nominations of veterans from each such veterans' organization. The governor shall appoint one veteran as a member from each list.
(2) One member shall be qualified from each of the medical specializations of epidemiology, toxicology and genetics. One member shall be qualified in one of the behavioral sciences in the specialty area of family dynamics. The director shall notify one or more professional societies or associations which represent the medical or behavioral science specialty area required and request a list of three nominations from that specialty area, of which the director shall appoint one member of the board from each list.
(3) Two legislators, one from each house, shall be appointed to the board with the speaker of the house of representatives and president of the senate each appointing a member. One legislator shall be a member of the democratic party and one legislator shall be a member of the republican party.
(c) The governor, the director, the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate shall appoint the initial members of the board. Of the initial appointments to the board by the governor, one shall be for a term of one year, one shall be for a term of two years and one shall be for a term ending three years after the date of the initial appointment. Of the initial appointments to the board by the director, two shall be for a term of one year, one shall be for a term of two years and one shall be for a term ending three years after the date of the initial appointment. After the initial appointments, terms of office of the members appointed by the governor or the director shall be for three years, but no person shall be appointed for more than two successive three-year terms. The term of office of each member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives or the president of the senate shall end on the first day of the regular session of the legislature which commences in the first odd-numbered year occurring after the year such member was appointed.
(d) Each member of the board shall serve until a successor is appointed and qualified. Whenever a vacancy occurs in the membership of the board for any reason other than the expiration of a member's term of office, the governor, the director, speaker of the house of representatives or president of the senate shall appoint a successor of like qualifications to fill the unexpired term in accordance with this section. In the case of any vacancy occurring in the position of a board member who was appointed from a list of nominations submitted by a veterans' organization, the governor shall notify that veterans' organization of the vacant position and request a list of three nominations of veterans from which the governor shall appoint a successor to the board. In the case of any vacancy occurring in the position of a board member who is qualified in one of the specialty areas listed in subsection (b)(2) after the initial appointments, the director shall notify one or more professional societies or associations which represent the medical or behavioral science specialty required for the vacant position and request a list of three nominations from that specialty area from which the director shall appoint a successor to the board.
(e) Annually, the board shall elect a chairperson, vice chairperson and secretary from among its members and shall meet at least four times each year at the call of the chairperson.
(f) The members of the board attending meetings of the board or attending a subcommittee meeting thereof authorized by the board shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be paid subsistence allowances, mileage and other expenses as provided in K.S.A. 75-3223(b), (c) and (d), and amendments thereto.
History: L. 1997, ch. 39, § 3; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 15; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 32; July 1.
(a) The director shall develop comprehensive surveys, or adopt one or more existing surveys, to be conducted to determine and study the physical and mental conditions, problems and illnesses, including birth defects, as well as the employment, social, emotional and family problems experienced by veterans, their spouses and family members since the veteran's return to Kansas and by any other persons residing in Kansas who are suffering from Gulf War syndrome.
(b) The director shall develop or adopt the surveys within the first four months after the effective date of this act. The director shall administer the surveys and review the completed surveys with the board. The director shall compile the results of the surveys and develop recommendations for the legislature based thereon. The director shall report the results to appropriate federal agencies and shall request additional assistance for veterans commensurate with the director's duties under K.S.A. 73-1209, and amendments thereto.
(c) The aggregate amount expended for the development and administration of surveys and studies set out under this section and for board expenses, including the position established by K.S.A. 73-1225, and amendments thereto, shall not exceed $100,000 per fiscal year.
(d) The director shall request the different media, including radio, television and newspaper, to make public service announcements publicizing information on the Persian Gulf War surveys and inform Kansans of the health problems identified and where help is available. The public service announcements should be published no less than four times a year.
History: L. 1997, ch. 39, § 4; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 16; July 1.
There is hereby established with the Kansas office of veterans services a full-time position dedicated to seeking and applying for grants and other moneys to fund activities under this act, to assist in the preparation and administration of surveys under this act, to promote programs and activities designed to assist persons affected by Gulf War syndrome to receive the help they need and to perform such other duties as the director may prescribe. The director shall appoint a qualified individual to this position.
History: L. 1997, ch. 39, § 5; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 17; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 33; July 1.
(a) The director shall request that the department of health and environment contact families of any children born after August 1, 1991, who are on any state birth defect list maintained by the department, to inform the families of the availability of the survey and the registry if either parent served in the Persian Gulf War. If the family voluntarily participates in the survey, the veteran's child's name shall be listed in the state Persian Gulf War registry.
(b) The director shall determine the appropriate health programs and the confidential mechanisms that shall be utilized to ask participants in such programs whether they are Persian Gulf War veterans, and if so, offer the veterans voluntary participation in the survey under K.S.A. 73-1224, and amendments thereto.
(c) The director shall establish and maintain a state Persian Gulf War registry containing the names of veterans, their spouses, family members and other persons in Kansas who have been affected by Gulf War syndrome.
(d) The director shall inform veterans of any state and federal programs available to meet the veterans' needs.
(e) Any person who in good faith provides information to the director under the provisions of this section shall be immune from civil or criminal liability therefor.
History: L. 1997, ch. 39, § 6; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 18; July 1.
Subject to funds available, the director shall conduct a fiscal impact study, aimed at identifying the annual budgetary impact of Gulf War syndrome on Kansas in terms of increased costs of education, medical coverage, correction of birth defects and other expenses identified through the results of the surveys conducted under K.S.A. 73-1224, and amendments thereto.
History: L. 1997, ch. 39, § 7; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 19; July 1.
The information obtained through any survey conducted under K.S.A. 73-1224, and amendments thereto, shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed or made public, upon subpoena or otherwise, beyond the requirements of K.S.A. 73-1230, and amendments thereto, except such information may be disclosed if:
(a) No person can be identified in the information to be disclosed and the disclosure is for statistical purposes;
(b) all persons who are identifiable in the information to be disclosed consent in writing to its disclosure;
(c) the disclosure is necessary, and only to the extent necessary, to protect the public health;
(d) a medical emergency exists and the disclosure is to medical personnel qualified to treat infectious or contagious diseases, except that any information disclosed pursuant to this paragraph shall be disclosed only to the extent necessary to protect the health or life of a named party; or
(e) the information to be disclosed is required in a court proceeding involving child abuse and the information is disclosed in camera.
History: L. 1997, ch. 39, § 8; July 1.
The director shall adopt rules and regulations to implement and administer the provisions of K.S.A. 73-1221 through 73-1231, and amendments thereto.
History: L. 1997, ch. 39, § 9; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 20; July 1.
The director shall cooperate and share information with appropriate state and federal agencies as necessary for the purposes of this act to aid veterans and other persons in obtaining aid and relief from the effects of Gulf War syndrome. Such cooperation shall include reporting the survey statistics to appropriate federal agencies to bring issues to the notice of appropriate agencies.
History: L. 1997, ch. 39, § 10; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 21; July 1.
There is hereby established in the state treasury the Persian Gulf War veterans health initiative fund which shall be administered by the director. All moneys received from any grants from federal or other nonstate sources, from contributions or from any other source for the purpose of financing the activities of the board or the development or administration of the surveys developed by the board under this act, shall be remitted to the state treasurer in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 75-4215, and amendments thereto. Upon receipt of each such remittance, the state treasurer shall deposit the entire amount in the state treasury to the credit of the Persian Gulf War veterans health initiative fund. All expenditures from the Persian Gulf War veterans health initiative fund shall be for the purposes of financing the activities of the director for the implementation and administration, including the activities of the board and the development and administration of the surveys under this act, and shall be made in accordance with appropriation acts upon warrants of the director of accounts and reports issued pursuant to vouchers approved by the director of the Kansas office of veterans services or the director's designee.
History: L. 1997, ch. 39, § 11; L. 2001, ch. 5, § 296; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 22; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 34; July 1.
(a) The director of the Kansas office of veterans services is hereby authorized to establish and maintain a state system of veterans cemeteries. For the purposes of such system, the director may request, accept and take title to any grants or bequests or other donations of moneys, other personal property, real property or other assistance from any person, firm, association or corporation or from any federal, state or local governmental agency or other governmental entity. The director may lease, purchase or otherwise acquire title to real property for the state system of veterans cemeteries. Subject to the provisions of subsection (b), the director may enter into contracts for the purpose of establishing and maintaining the system of veterans cemeteries.
(b) The director shall not enter into any contracts pursuant to subsection (a) after the effective date of this act for the purpose of establishing and maintaining the system of veterans cemeteries unless funds in an amount equal to 100% of the costs of constructing the cemeteries in such system is provided by the federal government.
(c) No more than three applications shall be submitted to the veterans administration for the state veterans cemetery program grant after the effective date of this act. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as applying to grants submitted prior to the effective date of this act.
History: L. 1999, ch. 93, § 1; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 23; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 35; July 1.
(a) As used in this section "memorial for veterans" means a capital improvement or other suitable memorial for Kansas veterans who served in the armed forces of the United States of America which is proposed to be located or is located at an institution, building or facility on state-owned property of the director of the Kansas office of veterans services and may include trees, shrubs and other landscaping.
(b) In accordance with this section, the director of the Kansas office of veterans services may initiate and conduct capital improvement projects to construct, reconstruct or repair or to maintain memorials for veterans. Each memorial for veterans shall be located at an institution, building or facility on state-owned property of the director of the Kansas office of veterans services and shall become the property of Kansas upon completion and acceptance of the project by the secretary of administration and the director of the Kansas office of veterans services. Except as otherwise provided by law or rules and regulations adopted under this section, each such capital improvement project for any such memorial for veterans shall be totally financed from private moneys received by the director of the Kansas office of veterans services for such purpose. Prior to initiating a capital improvement project for any such memorial for veterans, the plans and specifications for the project shall be reviewed and shall receive prior approval by the secretary of administration. No such capital improvement project for any such memorial for veterans shall be approved or initiated by the director of the Kansas office of veterans services without having first advised and consulted with the joint committee on state building construction.
(c) In accordance with the provisions of this act and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder, the director of the Kansas office of veterans services may apply for, accept and receive any private donation, gift, grant or bequest made to establish, modify or maintain memorials for veterans. The director of the Kansas office of veterans services shall administer and expend any such private donation, gift, grant or bequest in accordance with the terms or conditions imposed by the donor.
(d) The director of the Kansas office of veterans services shall develop and adopt rules and regulations prescribing guidelines, limitations and procedures for the approval of proposed memorials for veterans and for the acceptance of private donations, gifts, grants and bequests made for memorials for veterans. The rules and regulations prescribing such guidelines and procedures shall include:
(1) Procedures for the appointment by the director of the Kansas office of veterans services of an advisory committee to advise the director regarding memorials for veterans, which advisory committee shall include one or more members of the legislature representing each area where a memorial may be located pursuant to this section and such other persons selected by the director;
(2) guidelines for memorials for veterans to assure that each memorial for veterans is an appropriate tribute to Kansas veterans who served in the armed forces of the United States of America, is nonpartisan in nature and is in accord with nondiscrimination principles;
(3) guidelines and procedures to provide that the prior, express approval of the director of the Kansas office of veterans services has been obtained before:
(A) The name of the Kansas office of veterans services or the name of the Kansas soldiers' home, the Kansas veterans' home or any other institution, building or facility under the jurisdiction of the director; or
(B) the name of the director or of any officer or employee of the Kansas office of veterans services or of any such institution, building or facility, is used in connection with any fund-raising for any memorial for veterans;
(4) guidelines for appropriate recognition of donors for memorials for veterans, except that no memorial for veterans shall be named for any donor;
(5) procedures to provide that the design, plans and specifications for memorials for veterans are reviewed and approved by the secretary of administration to assure conformance with the requirements and guidelines applicable to state capital improvement projects; and
(6) limitations and other guidelines for the expenditure of moneys in benefit funds established under K.S.A. 75-3728e et seq., and amendments thereto, for the Kansas soldiers' home or the Kansas veterans' home for the establishment or maintenance of memorials for veterans.
(e) Members of the advisory committee established under this section shall receive no compensation or reimbursement for expenses incurred for their service on such advisory committees.
(f) There is hereby established in the state treasury the Kansas veterans memorials fund which shall be administered by the director of the Kansas office of veterans services. All moneys received from any private donation, gift, grant or bequest made for memorials for Kansas veterans who served in the armed forces of the United States of America shall be remitted to the state treasurer in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 75-4215, and amendments thereto. Upon receipt of each such remittance, the state treasurer shall deposit the entire amount in the state treasury to the credit of the Kansas veterans memorials fund. All expenditures from the Kansas veterans memorials fund shall be for the purpose of financing capital improvement projects for the construction, reconstruction or repair or for the maintenance of memorials for veterans and shall be made in accordance with appropriation acts upon warrants of the director of accounts and reports issued pursuant to vouchers approved by the director of the Kansas office of veterans services or the director's designee.
(g) On or before the 10th of each month, the director of accounts and reports shall transfer from the state general fund to the Kansas veterans memorials fund interest earnings based on:
(1) The average daily balance of moneys in the Kansas veterans memorials fund for the preceding month; and
(2) the net earnings rate for the pooled money investment portfolio for the preceding month.
History: L. 2005, ch. 82, § 1; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 24; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 36; July 1.
(a) (1) The director of the Kansas office of veterans services shall establish and administer a veterans claims assistance program in accordance with this section to improve the coordination of veterans benefits counseling in Kansas to maximize the effective and efficient use of taxpayer dollars and to ensure that every veteran is served and receives claims counseling and assistance.
(2) The director of the Kansas office of veterans services shall establish and commence operations under the veterans claims assistance program in accordance with this section on or before August 1, 2006.
The director of the Kansas office of veterans services shall appoint the deputy director of veterans services, who shall be in the classified service under the Kansas civil service act. The deputy director of veterans services shall provide such services to assist the director of the Kansas office of veterans services for all veterans services, except for those services relating to the Kansas soldiers' home and the Kansas veterans' home.
(3) No employee of the Kansas office of veterans services shall act as an agent with power of attorney for any claimant.
(b) The veterans claims assistance program shall implement and administer annual service grants to eligible veterans service organizations pursuant to grant agreements entered into with the director of the Kansas office of veterans services in accordance with this section. All grant agreements shall include any match requirements described in subsection (g). All service grants and grant agreements shall be subject to the provisions of appropriation acts.
(c) The director of the Kansas office of veterans services shall adopt rules and regulations to implement and administer the veterans claims assistance program and the service grant program. The rules and regulations shall include:
(1) The detailed requirements of the veterans claims assistance program and grant agreements;
(2) the responsibilities of all parties to the grant agreements;
(3) the duration of the grants;
(4) any insurance or bonding requirements;
(5) the format and frequency of progress and final reports;
(6) the initial and continuing training requirements for veterans claims assistance representatives;
(7) the provisions of a quality assurance program for the veterans claims assistance program and the services performed by veterans service organizations receiving grants under this section; and
(8) any other information or requirements deemed necessary or appropriate by the director.
(d) All moneys provided to veterans service organizations through service grants shall be used only for salaries, wages, related employer contributions and personnel costs, and operating and capital outlay expenditures for training and equipment for veterans claims assistance representatives and necessary support and managerial staff.
(e) Training activities for veterans claims assistance representatives shall be the responsibility of the veterans service organization employing the veterans claims assistance representatives and shall be conducted by qualified trainers.
(f) To receive a service grant under this section to perform services under the veterans claims assistance program, a veterans service organization shall satisfy the following eligibility requirements:
(1) Be congressionally chartered by the United States Congress;
(2) agree to cross-accredit the officers and employees of the director of the Kansas office of veterans services who are veterans and who work in the veteran services program and veterans claims assistance representatives of other veterans service organizations who are performing services under the veterans claims assistance program, subject to the following:
(A) The person to be cross-accredited shall provide proof to the deputy director of veterans services that the person has successfully completed the federal department of veterans affairs office training, responsibility, involvement and preparation of claims (TRIP) course or equivalent, as determined by the deputy director of veterans services and that such person shall participate in a minimum of one annual training session as approved by the deputy director of veterans services as well as maintain the continuing education requirements of the cross-accrediting veterans service organization; and
(B) the cross-accrediting veterans service organization has reserved the right to terminate the accreditation if the person fails to meet the continuing education requirement of the veterans service organization or participate in a minimum of one annual training session as approved by the deputy director of veterans services;
(3) agree to participate in one-stop veterans service centers at:
(A) The federal department of veterans affairs regional office or the veterans affairs medical center in Wichita; and
(B) each veterans affairs medical center in Topeka and Leavenworth as long as those facilities are in operation;
(4) demonstrate the receipt of monetary or service support from its own organization for the veterans claims assistance program;
(5) demonstrate the ability to comply with the requirements prescribed by this section or adopted by the director of the Kansas office of veterans services for accounting, service work activity and other satisfactory performance requirements and measures;
(6) have established state headquarters in Kansas;
(7) have staff present in the federal department of veterans affairs regional office or the veterans affairs medical center in Wichita and each veterans affairs medical center located in Topeka and Leavenworth as long as those facilities are in operation;
(8) have membership residency in at least 50% of the Kansas counties;
(9) have had an established office presence in the United States department of veterans affairs regional office in Kansas for at least the three most recent state fiscal years;
(10) have assisted in filing a minimum of 300 claims for veterans for which the veterans service organization has power of attorney in the most recent 12-month period;
(11) agree to make no reference to membership eligibility on claims documentation and not solicit membership due to information received on claim forms;
(12) agree to cross-accredit service officers participating in the service grant program to include service officers of partnered veterans service organizations and the Kansas office of veterans services staff; and
(13) agree that such veterans service organization shall continue to provide monetary support for the veterans claims assistance program pursuant to the requirements in subsection (g).
(g) Any monetary support provided under subsection (f)(13) shall be in a combination of monetary and non-monetary support, herein called "match." The veterans claims assistance advisory board shall determine the percentage of the match as a percent of the amount of the service grant provided to the veterans service organization, and submit such determination to the director of the Kansas office of veterans services for approval.
(h) Each veterans service organization receiving a service grant under this section shall file with the Kansas office of veterans services, within 90 days after the end of the veterans service organization's fiscal year, a detailed statement prepared by a certified public accountant which sets forth an accounting of all expenditures of moneys received under the service grant. Each veterans service organization receiving a service grant under this section shall apply for the grant funding on an annual basis, shall demonstrate satisfactory performance based on completion of minimum requirements during the preceding annual period and shall certify that all veterans service representatives funded with service grant moneys meet minimum training requirements to provide for core competencies.
(i) The director of the Kansas office of veterans services shall develop and maintain a central database registry regarding claims outcome data received from veterans claims assistance representatives under the veterans claims assistance program.
History: L. 2006, ch. 153, § 1; L. 2007, ch. 151, § 1; L. 2009, ch. 62, § 8; L. 2013, ch. 53, § 1; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 25; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 37; July 1.
(a) There is hereby established with the Kansas office of veterans services an advisory board which shall be known as the VCAP advisory board. The advisory board shall advise the director of the Kansas office of veterans services on all veterans services, including in the implementation and administration of the veterans claims assistance program.
(b) (1) The advisory board shall consist of at least seven members as follows:
(A) The deputy director of veterans services, who shall be a permanent member of the advisory board and shall serve as the chairperson of the advisory board.
(B) Each veterans service organization participating in the grant program shall appoint one member of the advisory board who shall be a veteran. The deputy director of veterans services shall notify the state level unit of each national veterans service organization which has an office in the federal department of veteran affairs regional office in Wichita, Kansas, and request written confirmation of the intent of the veterans service organization to participate in the veterans claims assistance program and to request an annual service grant.
(C) The governor shall appoint two members of the advisory board who shall be veterans. With regard to members appointed by the governor, any veterans service organization may submit a list of three names for consideration by the governor in making the appointment. The governor shall consider each such list if timely submitted and may appoint from among those listed.
(D) Two legislators, one from each house, shall be appointed to the advisory board with the speaker of the house of representatives and president of the senate each appointing a member. One legislator shall be a member of the democratic party and one legislator shall be a member of the republican party.
(2) If there are less than two veterans services organizations participating in the grant program under subsection (b)(1)(B), then the governor shall appoint the remaining members of the advisory board. Appointments under this paragraph shall not exceed two members.
(c) Within 90 days of the effective date of this act, The governor, the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate shall appoint the initial members of the advisory board. Of the initial appointments to the advisory board by the governor, one shall be for a term of one year, one shall be for a term of two years and one shall be for a term ending three years after the date of the initial appointment. After the initial appointments, terms of office of the members appointed by the governor shall be for three years. The term of office of each member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives or the president of the senate shall end on the first day of the regular session of the legislature which commences in the first odd-numbered year occurring after the year such member was appointed.
(d) Each member of the advisory board, other than the deputy director of veterans services, shall serve until a successor is appointed and qualified. Whenever a vacancy occurs in the membership of the advisory board for any reason other than the expiration of a member's term of office, the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives or president of the senate shall appoint a successor of like qualifications to fill the unexpired term in accordance with this section. In the case of any vacancy occurring in the position of an advisory board member who was appointed from a list of nominations submitted by a veterans service organization, the governor shall notify that veterans service organization of the vacant position and request a list of three nominations of veterans from which the governor shall appoint a successor to the advisory board.
(e) Annually, the advisory board shall elect a vice chairperson and secretary from among its members and shall meet at least four times each year at the call of the chairperson.
(f) The members of the advisory board attending meetings of the advisory board or attending a subcommittee meeting thereof authorized by the advisory board shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be paid subsistence allowances, mileage and other expenses as provided in K.S.A. 75-3223(b), (c) and (d), and amendments thereto.
History: L. 2006, ch. 153, § 2; L. 2009, ch. 62, § 9; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 26; L. 2014, ch. 129, § 3; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 38; July 1.
The legislative budget committee shall annually study and review the veterans claims assistance program and the service grants program of the Kansas office of veterans services under this act. The director of the Kansas office of veterans services and each veterans service organization that is receiving service grants under this section shall prepare and present annual reports of activities and expenditures under the veterans claims assistance program and the service grants program.
History: L. 2006, ch. 153, § 3; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 27; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 39; July 1.
Three years after the effective date of this act, the legislative post audit committee is requested to authorize a performance audit of the veterans claims assistance program. Such audit is to evaluate the program's effectiveness in increasing services to veterans through the veterans service representatives at the three United States department of veterans affairs medical centers in Leavenworth, Topeka and Wichita.
History: L. 2007, ch. 151, § 2; July 1.
There is hereby created within the Kansas office of veterans services, the Vietnam war era medallion program. Every veteran who honorably served on active duty in the United States military service at any time beginning February 28, 1961, and ending May 7, 1975, shall be entitled to receive a Vietnam war era medallion, medal and a certificate of appreciation, provided that such veteran:
(a) Is a legal resident of this state or was a legal resident of this state at the time the veteran entered or was discharged from military service or at the time of the veteran's death; and
(b) was honorably separated or discharged from military service or is still in active service in an honorable status, or was in active service in an honorable status at the time of the veteran's death.
History: L. 2009, ch. 62, § 1; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 28; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 40; July 1.
The Vietnam war era medallion, medal and a certificate shall be awarded regardless of whether or not such veteran served within the United States or in a foreign country. The medallion, medal and the certificate shall be awarded regardless of whether or not such veteran was under 18 years of age at the time of entry into active service. For purposes of this section, "veteran" means a person who served in the active military, naval, air or space service, including those groups and individuals listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.7, and who was discharged under an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions. The director of the Kansas office of veterans services shall administer the program and adopt all rules and regulations necessary to administer the program. The agency shall determine as expeditiously as possible the persons who are entitled to a Vietnam war era medallion, medal and a certificate and distribute the medallions, medals and the certificates. Applications for the Vietnam war era medallion, medal and the certificate shall be filed with the director of the Kansas office of veterans services on forms prescribed and furnished by the director of the Kansas office of veterans services. The deputy director of veteran services shall approve all applications that are in order, and shall cause a Vietnam war era medallion, medal and a certificate to be prepared for each approved veteran in the form approved by the director of the Kansas office of veterans services. The deputy director of veteran services shall review applications for the Vietnam war era medallion, medal and a certificate to ensure recipients are enrolled for eligible federal benefits.
History: L. 2009, ch. 62, § 2; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 29; L. 2014, ch. 129, § 4; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 41; L. 2024, ch. 104, § 7; L. 2025, ch. 97, § 11; July 1.
The following persons may apply for a Vietnam war era medallion, medal and a certificate:
(1) Any veteran who is entitled to a Vietnam war era medallion, medal and a certificate; and (2) any spouse or eldest living survivor of a deceased veteran who would be entitled to a Vietnam war era medallion, medal and a certificate but who died prior to having made application for such medallion, medal and certificate.
History: L. 2009, ch. 62, § 3; July 1.
If any spouse or eldest living survivor applies for the Vietnam war era medallion, medal and certificate or if any veteran dies after applying for a Vietnam war era medallion, medal and a certificate and such veteran would have been entitled to the Vietnam war era medallion, medal and the certificate, the director of the Kansas office of veterans services shall give the Vietnam war era medallion, medal and the certificate to the spouse or eldest living survivor of the deceased veteran.
History: L. 2009, ch. 62, § 4; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 30; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 42; July 1.
If the director of the Kansas office of veterans services disallows any veteran's claim to a Vietnam war era medallion, medal and a certificate, a statement of the reason for the disallowance shall be filed with the application and notice of this disallowance shall be mailed to the applicant at the applicant's last known address. The director of the Kansas office of veterans services shall approve the form of the Vietnam war era medallion, medal and the certificate. It is the intent of the legislature to create statewide involvement in the design of these symbols in recognition of this historic endeavor. The director of the Kansas office of veterans services may solicit potential designs from elementary and secondary schools, veterans' groups, civic organizations or any other interested party, and may select the best design from among such solicited designs or may select another design.
History: L. 2009, ch. 62, § 5; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 31; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 43; July 1.
The Vietnam war era veterans' recognition award fund is hereby created in the state treasury, and shall consist of all gifts, donations and bequests to the fund. Moneys received shall be remitted to the state treasurer in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 75-4215, and amendments thereto. Upon receipt of each such remittance, the state treasurer shall deposit the entire amount in the state treasury to the credit of the Vietnam war era veterans' recognition award fund. The fund shall be administered by the director of the Kansas office of veterans services. Moneys in the Vietnam war era veterans' recognition award fund shall not be transferred to the credit of the state general fund. On or before the 10th day of each month, the director of accounts and reports shall transfer from the state general fund to the Vietnam war era veterans' recognition award fund interest earnings based on:
(a) The average daily balance of moneys in the Vietnam war era veterans' recognition award fund for the preceding month; and
(b) the net earnings rate of the pooled money investment portfolio for the preceding month. Moneys in the fund shall be used solely to promote the solicitation for designs for, aid in the manufacture of and aid in the distribution of the medallion, medal and the certificate.
History: L. 2009, ch. 62, § 6; L. 2014, ch. 83, § 32; L. 2024, ch. 84, § 44; July 1.
(a) As used in this section:
(1) "Service-connected disability" means, regarding disability or death, that such disability was incurred or aggravated, or that such death resulted from a disability incurred or aggravated, in the line of duty in the active military, naval, air or space service; and
(2) "veteran" means a person who served in the active military, naval, air or space service, including those groups and individuals listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.7, and was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.
(b) No state agency or municipality, as defined in K.S.A. 12-105a, and amendments thereto, shall request or demand any other document or improvise an authentication procedure to determine eligibility for any benefit derived from a service-connected disability suffered by a Kansas veteran, except the following:
(1) A United States passport as defined in 22 C.F.R. 53.1;
(2) an unexpired real I.D. state driver's license as defined in 6 C.F.R. 37;
(3) a veterans health identity card issued by the United States department of veterans affairs;
(4) a veterans identification card issued under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 5706;
(5) a common access card issued by the United States department of defense; or
(6) any department of defense identity cards listed in 32 C.F.R. 161(b).
History: L. 2024, ch. 84, § 4; L. 2025, ch. 97, § 12; July 1.
(a) As used in this section:
(1) "Non-service-connected" means, regarding disability or death, that such disability was not incurred or aggravated, or that death did not result from a disability incurred or aggravated, in the line of duty in the active military, naval, air or space service.
(2) "Service-connected" means, regarding disability or death, that such disability was incurred or aggravated, or that death resulted from a disability incurred or aggravated, in the line of duty in the active military, naval, air or space service.
(3) "Veteran" means a person who served in the active military, naval, air or space service, including those groups and individuals listed under 38 C.F.R. 3.7, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.
(b) Findings of a service-connected disability or death by federal officials shall be probative. State agencies and municipalities, as defined in K.S.A. 12-105a, and amendments thereto, shall not:
(1) Request or demand a veteran's private health information for the purpose of determining eligibility for service-connected or non-service-connected disability benefits;
(2) reconsider disability determinations made by:
(A) The secretary of the army, with respect to matters concerning the army;
(B) the secretary of the navy, with respect to matters concerning the navy and the marine corps;
(C) the secretary of the air force, with respect to matters concerning the air force or the space force;
(D) the secretary of homeland security, with respect to matters concerning the coast guard;
(E) the secretary of health and human services, with respect to matters concerning the public health service; and
(F) the secretary of commerce, with respect to matters concerning the national oceanic and atmospheric administration or its predecessor, the coast and geodetic survey;
(3) reconsider the disability determinations made under the authority of a secretary defined in subsection (b)(2) or the secretary of veterans affairs; or
(4) request or demand a veteran voluntarily seek a re-evaluation of such veteran's existing service-connected disability claim.
(c) A veteran or such veteran's surviving family members may be asked to document such veteran's service-connected status regarding the disability or death of such veteran or service member with:
(1) A department of veterans affairs benefits summary letter with service-connected disability marked "yes";
(2) a military service physical evaluation board document, issued under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 1222(a), with the finding of "unfit for duty"; or
(3) a posthumous purple heart decoration, a military posthumous award citation, military orders or official casualty notification correspondence from the department of defense.
(d) A veteran's percentage of disability evaluation finding shall be disclosed by such veteran or such veteran's family members if germane to the Kansas statutory limitation in question.
History: L. 2024, ch. 84, § 5; July 1.
The song "Home on the Range" as originally written with words by Dr. Brewster Higley and music by Dan Kelly is hereby established as the Kansas state song. The words to such song shall be:
Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam,
Where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the sky is not clouded all day.
Chorus:
A home, a home where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the sky is not clouded all day.
Oh, give me the gale of the Solomon vale,
Where life streams with buoyancy flow,
On the banks of the Beaver, where seldom if ever
Any poisonous herbage doth grow.
Oh, give me the land where the bright diamond sand
Throws its light from the glittering stream
Where glideth along the graceful white swan,
Like a maid in a heavenly dream.
I love the wild flowers in this bright land of ours;
I love too the wild curley's scream,
The bluffs and white rocks and antelope flocks
That graze on the hillsides so green.
How often at night, when the heavens are bright
With the light of the glittering stars,
Have I stood here amazed and asked as I gazed
If their glory exceeds this of ours.
The air is so pure, the breezes so free,
The zephyrs so balmy and light,
I would not exchange my home here to range
Forever in azure so bright.
History: L. 1947, ch. 433, § 1; June 30.
The American buffalo (Bos or Bison americanus) is hereby designated and declared to be the official animal of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 1955, ch. 343, § 1; June 30.
(a) On July 1, 1977, the American revolution bicentennial commission created by this section prior to its amendment by this act shall be and is hereby abolished.
(b) On July 1, 1977, all of the powers, duties and functions of the state agency designated in subsection (a) shall be and is hereby abolished.
(c) On and after July 1, 1977, whenever the state agency designated in subsection (a) is referred to or designated by a statute, contract or other document, such reference or designation shall be null and void and of no force and effect whatsoever, except that any reference or designation to the American revolution bicentennial commission in any authorized contract entered into by said commission prior to July 1, 1977, and not fully executed on said date, shall be deemed to apply to the secretary of administration. Any such contract shall remain in full force and effect until fully executed or until terminated or revoked in the manner provided in such contract or as is otherwise provided by law on the date of such contract.
(d) On July 1, 1977, all of the records, memoranda, writings and property of the American revolution bicentennial commission shall be and are hereby transferred to the secretary of administration and said secretary shall deposit the same for preservation in federal, state or local libraries or museums or otherwise dispose of the same in consultation with the executive secretary of the Kansas historical society and the state librarian.
(e) On July 1, 1977, any appropriation for the American revolution bicentennial commission shall lapse.
History: L. 1972, ch. 313, § 1; L. 1973, ch. 306, § 1; L. 1974, ch. 348, § 44; L. 1977, ch. 263, § 1; July 1.
History: L. 1972, ch. 313, §§ 2, 3; Repealed, L. 1977, ch. 263, § 2; July 1.
History: L. 1972, ch. 313, § 4; L. 1973, ch. 306, § 2; Repealed, L. 1977, ch. 263, § 2; July 1.
The honeybee is hereby designated as and declared to be the official insect of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 1976, ch. 325, § 1; July 1.
History: L. 1982, ch. 256, §§ 1 to 9; Repealed, L. 1986, ch. 279, § 1; July 1.
WHEREAS, Kansas has a native wild flower common throughout her borders, hardy and conspicuous, of definite, unvarying and striking shape, easily sketched, moulded, and carved, having armorial capacities, ideally adapted for artistic reproduction, with its strong, distinct disk and its golden circle of clear glowing rays — a flower that a child can draw on a slate, a woman can work in silk, or a man can carve on stone or fashion in clay; and
WHEREAS, This flower has to all Kansans a historic symbolism which speaks of frontier days, winding trails, pathless prairies, and is full of the life and glory of the past, the pride of the present, and richly emblematic of the majesty of a golden future, and is a flower which has given Kansas the world-wide name, "the sunflower state": therefore,
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
That the helianthus or wild native sunflower is hereby made, designated and declared to be the state flower and floral emblem of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 1903, ch. 479, § 1; June 1; R.S. 1923, 75-3033.
The Terrapene ornata, Agassiz (ornate box turtle) is hereby designated as and declared to be the official reptile of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 1986, ch. 277, § 1; July 1.
History: L. 1986, ch. 282, §§ 1 to 6; Expired, December 31, 1991.
History: L. 1987, ch. 280, § 1; Repealed, L. 2012, ch. 47, § 138; July 1.
History: L. 1987, ch. 280, § 2; Repealed, L. 2012, ch. 47, § 138; July 1.
History: L. 1987, ch. 280, § 3; Repealed, L. 2012, ch. 47, § 138; July 1.
History: L. 1987, ch. 280, § 4; Repealed, L. 2012, ch. 47, § 138; July 1.
The soil known as Harney silt loam is hereby designated as and declared to be the official soil of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 1990, ch. 264, § 1; July 1.
The barred tiger salamander (ambystoma tigrinum mavortium, Baird, 1850) being a strikingly marked species, with robust body, and living in a range from the humid tallgrass prairie of eastern Kansas to the arid high plains at the western border, is hereby designated as the official amphibian of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 1994, ch. 79, § 10; July 1.
History: L. 2001, ch. 152, § 2; Expired, July 1, 2005.
History: L. 2001, ch. 152, § 3; L. 2003, ch. 154, § 22; Expired, July 1, 2005.
History: L. 2001, ch. 152, § 4; Expired, July 1, 2005.
History: L. 2001, ch. 152, § 5; L. 2003, ch. 154, § 23; Expired, July 1, 2005.
History: L. 2001, ch. 152, § 6; Expired, July 1, 2005.
The provisions of K.S.A. 73-2401 through 73-2405 shall expire on July 1, 2005.
History: L. 2001, ch. 152, § 7; July 1.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Kansas commemorative coin design concept act. The purpose of the act is to provide a means whereby the state through cooperation of its governor, arts community and, to the extent possible, high school students selects the design concepts and recommends the final design of the quarter dollar that is emblematic of the state of Kansas, its history, geography and rich heritage for submission to the United States secretary of the treasury in accordance with the 50 states commemorative coin program act (P.L. 105-124).
History: L. 2003, ch. 73, § 1; L. 2004, ch. 23, § 1; April 8.
(a) There is established the Kansas commemorative coin design commission. The commission shall consist of 16 members, as follows:
(1) The members of the joint legislative committee on the arts and cultural resources;
(2) a member of the Kansas state historical society, selected by the members of the society;
(3) a member of the Kansas arts commission, selected by the members of the commission;
(4) a member of the Kansas humanities council, selected by the members of the council; and
(5) three members of the general public who shall be representative of the arts, selected by the governor. One of the members selected pursuant to this paragraph shall be knowledgeable of coin design or metal work.
(b) The chairperson of the joint legislative committee on the arts and cultural resources shall serve as chairperson of the commission. The commission shall meet on call of the chairperson or at the request of a majority of the members of the commission.
(c) The commission shall:
(1) Adopt procedures and guidelines for selection of the design concepts of the quarter dollar that is emblematic of the state of Kansas; such guidelines shall be consistent with the guidelines prescribed by the 50 states commemorative coin program act and shall be publicized by the commission;
(2) invite Kansans to submit design sketches for the Kansas commemorative quarter dollar that are broadly appealing to the citizens of the state and that maintain a dignity befitting the state's history and diversity. Each design sketch shall be accompanied by a narrative that explains why the concept is emblematic of the state and what the concept represents to the citizens of the state. The submission deadline shall be determined by the commission;
(3) review the design sketches and narratives submitted by Kansans and select five submissions as finalists in the design selection process; and
(4) forward only the selected narratives to the United States mint and collaborate with the United States mint in the preparation of artwork of the concepts.
(d) If more than one design candidate finalist is approved by the secretary of the treasury, the finalists shall be forwarded to the commission, which shall collaborate with the state board of education and the secretary of state in submission of the finalist designs to an election in which all students enrolled in public and accredited nonpublic high schools of the state may participate and by majority vote select the design for the Kansas commemorative quarter dollar that the commission shall submit to the governor. Such election shall be held no later than during the last week of April 2004. Such election may be conducted by internet ballot.
History: L. 2003, ch. 73, § 2; L. 2004, ch. 23, § 2; April 8.
If design candidate finalists are submitted to an election pursuant to K.S.A. 73-2502, and amendments thereto, the governor shall submit the design selected by vote of Kansas high school students to the United States mint for presentment to the secretary of treasury for final approval.
History: L. 2003, ch. 73, § 3; L. 2004, ch. 23, § 3; April 8.
The Kansas arts commission, the Kansas humanities council, and the Kansas historical society shall publicize the Kansas commemorative coin design act and shall provide such assistance to the Kansas commemorative coin design commission as may be requested by the commission.
History: L. 2003, ch. 73, § 4; April 24.
The memorial constructed by the citizens of Anthony to commemorate the tragedy suffered by this nation on September 11, 2001, and which incorporates in its construction three steel beams from the remains of the world trade center, a block of limestone from the face of the damaged pentagon building and soil from the Pennsylvania crash site of flight 93, is hereby designated as the "Kansas 9/11 memorial."
History: L. 2006, ch. 48, § 1; July 1.
The Kansas firefighters museum located in Wichita, Kansas is hereby designated the official state Kansas firefighters museum.
History: L. 2007, ch. 61, § 1; July 1.
(a) English shall be designated as the official language of the state of Kansas.
(b) The official language is designated as the language of any official public document or record and any official public meeting:
(1) An official public document or record is any document officially compiled, published or recorded by the state including deeds, publicly probated wills and any other document or record required to be kept open for public inspection pursuant to the open records act.
(2) An official public meeting is any meeting required to be open pursuant to K.S.A. 75-4317 et seq., and amendments thereto.
(c) Except as otherwise provided by law, no state agency or political or taxing subdivision of the state shall be required to provide any documents, information, literature or other written materials in any language other than English. Nothing shall prohibit state agencies or political or taxing subdivisions from: (1) Publishing any official public document or record in languages other than English at their discretion, so long as the document or record is also published in English; or (2) permitting a person who does not speak English to speak or communicate at an official public meeting with the assistance of an interpreter.
History: L. 2007, ch. 186, § 1; July 1.
A state agency or political or taxing subdivision, or its officers or employees, may use a language other than the English language to:
(a) Provide information orally to individuals in the course of delivering services to the general public;
(b) comply with federal law;
(c) protect the public health or safety;
(d) protect the rights of parties and witnesses in a civil or criminal action in a court or in an administrative proceeding;
(e) provide instruction in foreign and native American language courses;
(f) provide instruction designed to aid students with limited English proficiency so they can make a timely transition to use of the English language in the public schools;
(g) promote international commerce, trade or tourism;
(h) use terms of art or phrases from languages other than the English language in documents;
(i) provide signage and documents in braille; and
(j) communicate in American Sign Language.
History: L. 2007, ch. 186, § 2; July 1.
This act shall not be construed in any way to infringe upon the rights of citizens under the constitution of the state of Kansas or the constitution of the United States in the use of language in any private activity. No agency or officer of the state or any political or taxing subdivision of the state may place any restrictions or requirements regarding language usage in any business operating in the private sector other than official documents, forms, submissions or other communications directed to government agencies and officers, which communications shall be in the common language as recognized in this act.
History: L. 2007, ch. 186, § 3; July 1.
This act may not be construed in any way to limit the use of any other language by a tribal government of native Americans located in the state of Kansas. A school district and a tribe, by mutual agreement, may provide for the instruction of students that recognizes the cultural identity of native American children and promotes the use of a common language for communication.
History: L. 2007, ch. 186, § 4; July 1.
Nothing in this act shall diminish or expand any existing rights under the laws of Kansas or the United States relative to services or materials provided by the government of Kansas in any language other than English.
History: L. 2007, ch. 186, § 5; July 1.
The state of Kansas recognizes the importance of establishing and actively promoting English language classes, English language training or citizenship classes for non-native speakers. The local entity designated by the state board of regents to offer such services shall seek the assistance of local political subdivisions, community-based agencies and organizations, migrant worker groups, refugee resettlement programs, schools, churches and others in making non-native speakers aware of the availability of such classes and training and ensuring their continuation and expansion.
History: L. 2007, ch. 186, § 6; July 1.
The provisions of this act are severable and any provision held invalid shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions of this act.
History: L. 2007, ch. 186, § 7; July 1.
The William Inge Theatre Festival held in Independence, Kansas, is hereby designated as the official theatre festival of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 2009, ch. 55, § 1; July 1.
The grass known as little bluestem (schizachyrium scoparium) is hereby designated as and declared to be the official grass of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 2010, ch. 77, § 1; July 1.
The annual Kansas wheat festival held in the city of Wellington, located in Sumner county, Kansas is hereby designated the official Kansas wheat festival.
History: L. 2012, ch. 104, § 1; July 1.
The annual watermelon festival held in the city of Clyde, located in Cloud county, Kansas is hereby designated the official Kansas watermelon festival.
History: L. 2012, ch. 104, § 2; July 1.
Tylosaurus, a giant mosasaur which inhabited the great inland sea that covered portions of Kansas during the cretaceous period of the mesozoic era and grew to lengths of more than 40 feet, is hereby designated as the official marine fossil of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 2014, ch. 22, § 1; July 1.
Pteranodon, a great, winged pterosaur with a wingspread of more than 24 feet, which flew the skies of Kansas during the cretaceous period of the mesozoic era, is hereby designated as the official flying fossil of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 2014, ch. 22, § 2; July 1.
Silvisaurus condrayi, a one-ton armored ankylosaur approximately 13 feet long that walked across Kansas during the late cretaceous period of the mesozoic era, is hereby designated as the official land fossil of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 2023, ch. 8, § 1; July 1.
The cage elevator located in the Kansas state capitol building is hereby designated the official cage elevator for the state of Kansas. The cage elevator, installed in 1923, shall be maintained in operating condition for the enjoyment of state officials, workers and visitors to the Kansas state capitol building.
History: L. 2016, ch. 42, § 1; July 1.
Cowley county is the home of 18 laid stone arch bridges built before 1910, 17 of which are still traveled by daily traffic. Cowley county is hereby designated as the official "stone bridge capital" of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 2016, ch. 1, § 1; July 1.
Greenhorn limestone, a staple of the Kansas Flint Hills that is used in the construction of buildings throughout the state, is hereby designated as the official rock of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 2018, ch. 34, § 1; July 1.
Galena, a type of lead ore that, through mining, drove population growth in the region that became the state of Kansas, is hereby designated as the official mineral of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 2018, ch. 34, § 2; July 1.
Jelinite, a type of amber that was formerly known as kansasite and was extracted from the bedrock near the Smoky Hill river, is hereby designated as the official gemstone of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 2018, ch. 34, § 3; July 1.
The channel catfish is hereby designated as the official fish of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 2018, ch. 34, § 4; July 1.
Chambourcin, a complex red wine grape variety, is hereby designated as the official red wine grape of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 2019, ch. 57, § 7; May 2.
Vignoles, a complex white wine grape variety, is hereby designated as the official white wine grape of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 2019, ch. 57, § 8; May 2.
The fruit known as the Sandhill plum, Chickasaw plum, is hereby designated and declared to be the official state fruit.
History: L. 2022, ch. 54, § 1; April 21.
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe #3415 Pacific class 4-6-2, built in 1919, is hereby designated as the official steam locomotive of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 2024, ch. 56, § 7; July 1.
The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad is hereby designated as the official heritage railroad of the state of Kansas.
History: L. 2024, ch. 56, § 8; July 1.
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