Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted

SB 78 — Requiring postsecondary educational institutions to regularly review and update accreditation policies, prohibiting accrediting agencies from compelling such institutions to violate state law and providing a cause of action for violations thereof.

Last action — Approved by Governor on Wednesday, March 26, 2025

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 27, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Laura Kelly (Democratic) on April 10, 2025.

Prognosis

Advancing 50% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

921 added · 918 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to SB 78 now require postsecondary educational institutions in Kansas to regularly review and update their accreditation policies. It also explicitly prohibits accrediting agencies from forcing these institutions to break state laws. This change is important because it empowers schools to maintain compliance with state regulations while seeking proper accreditation, ensuring that educational institutions can operate without external pressure to compromise legal standards.

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AsAmended by House Committee As Amended by Senate Committee Session of 2025 SENATE BILLNo.
SENATE BILL No.
78 By Committee on Education 1-27 AN ACT concerning education;
78 AN ACT concerning education;
8-1,142, 13-13a46 and 74-32,120 and K.S.A.
8-1,142, 13- 13a46 and 74-32,120 and K.S.A.
9 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
(e) If an accrediting agency or association violates this section, the SB 78—Am.
(e) If an accrediting agency or association violates this section, the governing board of the affected postsecondary educational institution shall notify the legislature in writing within 30 calendar days of such violation.
by HC 2 governing board of the affected postsecondary educational institution shall notify the legislature in writing within 30 calendar days of such violation.
and (3) municipal university as defined in K.S.A.
(3) municipal university as defined in K.S.A.
(3) any not-for-profit independent institution of higher education that is accredited by the north central association of colleges and secondary schools accrediting agency based on its requirements as of April 1, 1985 an accrediting agency or association recognized by the United States department of education in the database maintained by such department, is operated independently and not controlled or administered by the state or any agency or subdivision thereof, maintains open enrollment and the main campus or principal place of operation of which is located in Kansas;
(3) any not-for-profit independent institution of higher education SENATE BILL No.
78—page 2 that is accredited by the north central association of colleges and secondary schools accrediting agency based on its requirements as of April 1, 1985 an accrediting agency or association recognized by the United States department of education in the database maintained by such department, is operated independently and not controlled or administered by the state or any agency or subdivision thereof, maintains open enrollment and the main campus or principal place of operation of which is located in Kansas;
8-143, and amendments thereto, plus SB 78—Am.
8-143, and amendments thereto, plus the payment of an additional fee of $5 for each plate, and either the payment to the county treasurer of the logo use royalty payment established by the alumni association or foundation or the presentation of the annual emblem use authorization statement provided for in subsection (c).
by HC 3 the payment of an additional fee of $5 for each plate, and either the payment to the county treasurer of the logo use royalty payment established by the alumni association or foundation or the presentation of the annual emblem use authorization statement provided for in subsection (c).
(g) Renewals of registration under this section shall be made annually, upon payment of the fee prescribed in subsection (b), in the manner prescribed in K.S.A.
(g) Renewals of registration under this section shall be made SENATE BILL No.
78—page 3 annually, upon payment of the fee prescribed in subsection (b), in the manner prescribed in K.S.A.
No renewal of registration shall be made to any applicant until such SB 78—Am.
No renewal of registration shall be made to any applicant until such applicant provides to the county treasurer either the annual emblem use authorization statement provided for in subsection (c) or the payment of the annual emblem use royalty payment established by the alumni association or foundation.
by HC 4 applicant provides to the county treasurer either the annual emblem use authorization statement provided for in subsection (c) or the payment of the annual emblem use royalty payment established by the alumni association or foundation.
(j) Each educational institution'salumni association or foundation shall:
(j) Each educational institution's alumni association or foundation shall:
(k) Each educational institution'salumni association or foundation, with the approval of the director of vehicles and subject to the availability of materials and equipment, shall design a license plate to be issued under the provisions of this section.
(k) Each educational institution's alumni association or foundation, with the approval of the director of vehicles and subject to the availability of materials and equipment, shall design a license plate to be issued under the provisions of this section.
(m) Annual royalty payments collected by county treasurers under this section shall be remitted to the state treasurer in SB 78—Am.
(m) Annual royalty payments collected by county treasurers under this section shall be remitted to the state treasurer in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A.
by HC 5 accordance with the provisions of K.S.A.
All expenditures from the educational institutions emblem royalty fund shall be made in accordance with appropriation acts upon warrants of the director of accounts and reports issued pursuant to vouchers approved by the state treasurer or the state treasurer's designee.
All expenditures from the educational institutions emblem royalty fund shall be made in accordance with appropriation SENATE BILL No.
78—page 4 acts upon warrants of the director of accounts and reports issued pursuant to vouchers approved by the state treasurer or the state treasurer's designee.
If the evidence is furnished to the testing service, the instruction shall have been completed within 12 months immediately preceding the date of the examination.
If the evidence is furnished to the testing service, the instruction shall have been completed within months immediately preceding the date of the examination.
58-3040, and amendments thereto, any person who applies for an original license in this state as a SB 78—Am.
58-3040, and amendments thereto, any person who applies for an original license in this state as a broker shall submit evidence, satisfactory to the commission, of attendance of a Kansas real estate fundamentals course, of not less than and no more than 45 hours of instruction, approved by the commission and received within the 12 months immediately preceding the filing of application for broker's license.
by HC 6 broker shall submit evidence, satisfactory to the commission, of attendance of a Kansas real estate fundamentals course, of not less than 30 and no more than 45 hours of instruction, approved by the commission and received within the 12 months immediately preceding the filing of application for broker's license.
(e) Any person who applies for an original license in this state as a broker who is a nonresident of Kansas or who is a resident of Kansas applying for licensure pursuant to K.S.A.
(e) Any person who applies for an original license in this state as a broker who is a nonresident of Kansas or who is a resident of Kansas SENATE BILL No.
78—page 5 applying for licensure pursuant to K.S.A.
(f) At or prior to each license expiration date established by the commission, any person who is licensed in this state as a broker or as a SB 78—Am.
(f) At or prior to each license expiration date established by the commission, any person who is licensed in this state as a broker or as a salesperson shall submit evidence, satisfactory to the commission, of attendance of not less than 12 hours of continuing education approved by the commission and completed after issuance of the license and during the renewal period.
by HC 7 salesperson shall submit evidence, satisfactory to the commission, of attendance of not less than 12 hours of continuing education approved by the commission and completed after issuance of the license and during the renewal period.
(j) Courses of instruction required by this section shall be courses SB 78—Am.
(j) Courses of instruction required by this section shall be courses approved by the commission either before or after their completion.
by HC 8 approved by the commission either before or after their completion.
The commission may give credit toward the 12 hours of continuing education required by subsection (f) to any licensee who submits an application for course review obtained from the commission and pays SENATE BILL No.
The commission may give credit toward the 12 hours of continuing education required by subsection (f) to any licensee who submits an application for course review obtained from the commission and pays the fee prescribed by K.S.A.
78—page 6 the fee prescribed by K.S.A.
74- 32,120.
74-32,120.
(f) "Kansas educational institution" means a state educational institution under the control and supervision of the board of regents, a municipal university, or a not-for-profit independent institution of higher education which that is accredited by the north central association SB 78—Am.
(f) "Kansas educational institution" means a state educational institution under the control and supervision of the board of regents, a municipal university, or a not-for-profit independent institution of higher education which that is accredited by the north central association of colleges and secondary schools accrediting agency based on its requirements as of April 1, 1985, or by the higher learning commission of the north central association of colleges and schools based on its requirements as of January 1, 2006 an accrediting agency or association recognized by the United States department of education in the database maintained by such department, is operated independently and not controlled or administered by the state or any agency or subdivision thereof, maintains open enrollment, and the main campus or principal place of operation of which is located in Kansas.
by HC 9 of colleges and secondary schools accrediting agency based on its requirements as of April 1, 1985, or by the higher learning commission of the north central association of colleges and schools based on its requirements as of January 1, 2006 an accrediting agency or association recognized by the United States department of education in the database maintained by such department, is operated independently and not controlled or administered by the state or any agency or subdivision thereof, maintains open enrollment, and the main campus or principal place of operation of which is located in Kansas.
(h) "Board of regents" means the state board of regents provided for in the constitution of this state and described in article 32 of chapter 74 of Kansas Statutes Annotated.
(h) "Board of regents" means the state board of regents provided for in the constitution of this state and described in article 32 of chapter of Kansas Statutes Annotated.
(j) "Semester" means one of two principal terms, when there are only two principal terms in the academic year, whether or not there are other shorter terms during the same academic year.
SENATE BILL No.
78—page 7 (j) "Semester" means one of two principal terms, when there are only two principal terms in the academic year, whether or not there are other shorter terms during the same academic year.
SB 78—Am.
(f) "Computer" means an electronic device that accepts information in digital or similar form and manipulates it for a result based on a sequence of instructions.
by HC 10 (f) "Computer" means an electronic device that accepts information in digital or similar form and manipulates it for a result based on a sequence of instructions.
(l) "Educational institution" means any nonprofit school, college th and university that offers education at a level above the 12 grade, and conducts regular classes and courses of study required for accreditation by, or membership in, the higher learning commission an accrediting agency or association recognized by the United States department of education in the database maintained by such department, the state board of education, or that otherwise qualify as an "educational institution," as defined by K.S.A.
(l) "Educational institution" means any nonprofit schoolthcollege and university that offers education at a level above the 12 grade, and conducts regular classes and courses of study required for accreditation by, or membership in, the higher learning commission an accrediting agency or association recognized by the United States department of education in the database maintained by such department, the state board of education, or that otherwise qualify as an "educational institution," as defined by K.S.A.
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(2) nonprofit endowment associations and foundations organized and operated exclusively to receive, hold, invest and administer moneys and property as a permanent fund for the support and sole benefit of an educational institution;
(2) nonprofit endowment associations and foundations organized and operated exclusively to receive, hold, invest and administer moneys and property SENATE BILL No.
(3) nonprofit trusts, foundations and other entities organized and operated principally to hold and own receipts from intercollegiate sporting events and to disburse such receipts, as well as grants and gifts, in the interest of collegiate and intercollegiate athletic programs for the support and SB 78—Am.
78—page 8 as a permanent fund for the support and sole benefit of an educational institution;
by HC 11 sole benefit of an educational institution;
(3) nonprofit trusts, foundations and other entities organized and operated principally to hold and own receipts from intercollegiate sporting events and to disburse such receipts, as well as grants and gifts, in the interest of collegiate and intercollegiate athletic programs for the support and sole benefit of an educational institution;
(2) Containers, labels, shipping cases, paper bags, drinking straws, paper plates, paper cups, twine and wrapping paper used in the distribution and sale of property taxable under the provisions of this act by wholesalers and retailers and that is not to be returned to SB 78—Am.
(2) Containers, labels, shipping cases, paper bags, drinking straws, paper plates, paper cups, twine and wrapping paper used in the distribution and sale of property taxable under the provisions of this act by wholesalers and retailers and that is not to be returned to such wholesaler or retailer for reuse.
by HC 12 such wholesaler or retailer for reuse.
47-1901, and amendments thereto, the production of food for human consumption, the production of animal, dairy, poultry or aquatic plant and animal products, fiber, or fur, or the production of offspring for use for any such purpose or purposes.
47-1901, and amendments thereto, the production of food for human consumption, the production of animal, dairy, poultry or aquatic plant and animal products, fiber, or fur, or the production of SENATE BILL No.
78—page 9 offspring for use for any such purpose or purposes.
(A)Atransfer of possession or control of property under a security agreement or deferred payment plan that requires the transfer of title upon completion of the required payments;
(A)A transfer of possession or control of property under a security agreement or deferred payment plan that requires the transfer of title upon completion of the required payments;
For the purpose of this subsection, an operator SB 78—Am.
For the purpose of this subsection, an operator must shall do more than maintain, inspect or set-up the tangible personal property.
by HC 13 must shall do more than maintain, inspect or set-up the tangible personal property.
(w) "Model 3 seller" means a seller that has sales in at least five member states, has total annual sales revenue of at least $500,000,000, has a proprietary system that calculates the amount of tax due each jurisdiction and has entered into a performance agreement with the member states that establishes a tax performance standard for the seller.
(w) "Model 3 seller" means a seller that has sales in at least five member states, has total annual sales revenue of at least $500,000,000, SENATE BILL No.
78—page 10 has a proprietary system that calculates the amount of tax due each jurisdiction and has entered into a performance agreement with the member states that establishes a tax performance standard for the seller.
(z) "Persons" means any individual, firm, copartnership, joint SB 78—Am.
(z) "Persons" means any individual, firm, copartnership, joint adventure, association, corporation, estate or trust, receiver or trustee, or any group or combination acting as a unit, and the plural as well as the singular number;
by HC 14 adventure, association, corporation, estate or trust, receiver or trustee, or any group or combination acting as a unit, and the plural as well as the singular number;
(1) The production, manufacture, processing, mining, drilling, refining SB 78—Am.
(1) The production, manufacture, processing, mining, drilling, refining or SENATE BILL No.
by HC 15 or compounding of tangible personal property;
78—page 11 compounding of tangible personal property;
The term "Sale" or "sales" shall does not mean the sale of SB 78—Am.
The term "Sale" or "sales" shall does not mean the sale of the use of any tangible personal property used as a dwelling by way of a lease or rental thereof for a term of more than 28 consecutive days.
by HC 16 the use of any tangible personal property used as a dwelling by way of a lease or rental thereof for a term of more than 28 consecutive days.
and (ii) on and after July 1, 2023, delivery charges that are not separately stated on the invoice, bill of sale or similar document given to the purchaser;
and (ii) on and after July 1, 2023, delivery charges that are not separately stated on the invoice, bill of sale or similar document given SENATE BILL No.
78—page 12 to the purchaser;
SB 78—Am.
(3) "Sales or selling price" shall does not include:
by HC 17 (3) "Sales or selling price" shall does not include:
79-3670 through 79-3673, 12-191 and 12-191a, and amendments thereto, that shall apply to identify and determine the state and local taxing jurisdiction sales or use taxes to pay, or collect and remit on a particular retail sale.
79-3670 through 79-3673, 12-191 and 12-191a, and amendments thereto, that SENATE BILL No.
78—page 13 shall apply to identify and determine the state and local taxing jurisdiction sales or use taxes to pay, or collect and remit on a particular retail sale.
SB 78—Am.
(ss) "Entity-based exemption" means an exemption based on who purchases the product or who sells the product.
by HC 18 (ss) "Entity-based exemption" means an exemption based on who purchases the product or who sells the product.
"Over-the-counter drugs do drug" does not include grooming and hygiene products such as soaps, cleaning solutions, shampoo, toothpaste, antiperspirants and sun tan lotions and screens.
"Over-the- counter drugs do drug" does not include grooming and hygiene products such as soaps, cleaning solutions, shampoo, toothpaste, antiperspirants and sun tan lotions and screens.
The term "Telecommunications service" includes such transmission, conveyance or routing in which computer processing applications are used to act on the form, code or protocol of the content for purposes of transmissions, conveyance or routing without regard to whether such SB 78—Am.
The term "Telecommunications service" includes such transmission, conveyance or routing in which computer processing applications are used to act on the form, code or protocol of the content for purposes of transmissions, conveyance or routing without regard to whether such service is referred to as voice over internet protocol services or is classified by the federal communications commission as enhanced or value added.
by HC 19 service is referred to as voice over internet protocol services or is classified by the federal communications commission as enhanced or value added.
(1) Data processing and information services that allow data to be generated, acquired, stored, processed or retrieved and delivered by an electronic transmission to a purchaser where such purchaser's primary purpose for the underlying transaction is the processed data or information;
(1) Data processing and information services that allow data to be generated, acquired, stored, processed or retrieved and delivered by an SENATE BILL No.
78—page 14 electronic transmission to a purchaser where such purchaser's primary purpose for the underlying transaction is the processed data or information;
The service is typically marketed under the name 900 service, and any subsequent numbers designated by the federal communications commission.
The service is typically marketed under the name service, and any subsequent numbers designated by the federal communications commission.
(ddd) "Value-added non-voice data service" means a service that otherwise meets the definition of telecommunications services in which computer processing applications are used to act on the form, content, SB 78—Am.
(ddd) "Value-added non-voice data service" means a service that otherwise meets the definition of telecommunications services in which computer processing applications are used to act on the form, content, code or protocol of the information or data primarily for a purpose other than transmission, conveyance or routing.
by HC 20 code or protocol of the information or data primarily for a purpose other than transmission, conveyance or routing.
(iii) "Nonprofit integrated community care organization" means an entity that is:
(iii) "Nonprofit integrated community care organization" means an SENATE BILL No.
78—page 15 entity that is:
and (3) approved by the Kansas department for aging and disability services as an organization providing services under the program of all-inclusive care for the elderly as defined in 42 U.S.C.
and (3) approved by the Kansas department for aging and disability services as an organization providing services under the program of all- inclusive care for the elderly as defined in 42 U.S.C.
SB 78—Am.
(F) preservatives;
by HC 21 (F) preservatives;
Sec.
SENATE BILL No.
2.
78—page 16 Sec.
I hereby certify that the above ILLoriginated in the SENATE, and passed that body __________________________ SENATE concurred in H OUSE amendments _______________________ _________________________ President of the Senate.
_________________________ Secretary of the Senate.
Passed the H OUSE as amended _________________________ _________________________ Speaker of the House.
_________________________ Chief Clerk of the House.
A PPROVED _____________________________ _________________________ Governor.
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Action History

  1. Approved by Governor on Wednesday, March 26, 2025

  2. Enrolled and presented to Governor on Friday, March 21, 2025

  3. Concurred with amendments; Yea 38, Nay 2

  4. Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted

  5. Committee of the Whole - Be passed as amended

  6. Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea 86, Nay 36, Absent 3

  7. Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by House Committee on Education

  8. Received and Introduced

  9. Referred to House Committee on Education

  10. Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea 38, Nay 2

  11. Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted

  12. Committee of the Whole - Be passed as amended

  13. Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Senate Committee on Education

  14. Referred to Senate Committee on Education

  15. Introduced

Sponsors

  • Committee on Education · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 164 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Committee on Education

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (164)

164 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 164 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

education
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 78?
SB 78 is sponsored by Committee on Education.
What is the current status of SB 78?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 27, 2025. Enacted.
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