A Kansas House committee is considering a bill to create a 17-member commission to study public higher education in the state. The commission would focus on the operations of universities, community colleges, and technical colleges, including the possibility of consolidating these institutions.
The bill, introduced in early March by state Reps. Ken Rahjes and Shannon Francis, would allow Republican leaders to appoint 11 commission members, while Democrats would have two appointments. The governor, the Kansas Board of Regents, and associations for community and technical colleges would each appoint one member.
The commission would examine the structure and funding of higher education and explore potential mergers among Kansas’ 32 public institutions. The Kansas Board of Regents has previously considered mergers but paused the efforts due to lack of legislative support. Blake Flanders, the board’s CEO, emphasized the importance of working with lawmakers on any future changes. The commission’s work could improve the accessibility, affordability, and efficiency of higher education in Kansas. The commission would provide a preliminary report in January 2026 and a final report in January 2027, exploring goals for higher education, student needs, and ways to improve enrollment and degree completion.
