Fiber Optic Broadband Conduit Authorization

Kansas Legislative Events

Published April 9th, 2026

Detected April 4th, 2026

Summary

Kansas HB2647 has been enrolled and awaits Governor signature. The bill authorizes the Kansas Department of Transportation to establish a statewide conduit system for fiber optic transmissions supporting broadband connections. The legislation passed the Senate unanimously (40-0) and the House with overwhelming support (116-5, conference committee 120-1).

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What changed

Kansas HB2647 enacts new statutory authority for the Kansas Department of Transportation to develop and manage a statewide fiber optic conduit system. The bill passed through both chambers during the 2025-2026 Regular Session with multiple amendments, including a Senate floor amendment offered by Senator Klemp and final Conference Committee report adopted March 24, 2026. The legislation establishes KDOT's role in broadband infrastructure deployment across the state.

Once signed by the Governor, KDOT will be authorized to implement the statewide fiber conduit program. Telecommunications companies and internet service providers should monitor implementation timelines and evaluate potential partnership or access opportunities with the state system. The bill's broad passage indicates strong bipartisan support for rural broadband expansion through transportation infrastructure.

What to do next

Monitor for Governor signature and enactment
Await KDOT implementation guidelines once bill becomes law
Evaluate partnership opportunities with KDOT for fiber conduit access

Source document (simplified)

ChangeBridge / Kansas / HB2647 Enrolled HB2647 House Bill Enrolled 2026-04-09

Authorizing the Kansas department of transportation to establish a statewide conduit system for fiber optic transmissions of broadband connections.

Bill Details

State Kansas

Session 2025-2026 Regular Session

Chamber House

Official Source kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2...

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Action History

2026-04-09 H House Enrolled and presented to Governor on Friday, April 3, 2026 2026-03-26 H House Reengrossed on Thursday, March 26, 2026 2026-03-24 H House Conference Committee Report was adopted; Yea: 120 Nay: 1 2026-03-24 S Senate Conference Committee Report was adopted; Yea: 40 Nay: 0 2026-03-24 S Senate Conference committee report now available 2026-03-23 S Senate Motion to accede adopted; Senator Petersen, Senator Klemp and Senator Corson appointed as conferees 2026-03-19 H House Nonconcurred with amendments; Conference Committee requested; appointed Representative Francis , Representative Essex and Representative Helgerson as conferees 2026-03-18 S Senate Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea: 40 Nay: 0 2026-03-17 S Senate Committee of the Whole - Be passed as further amended 2026-03-17 S Senate Committee of the Whole - Amendment by Senator Klemp was adopted 2026-03-17 S Senate Committee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by Senator Klemp 2026-03-17 S Senate Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted 2026-03-11 S Senate Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Committee on Transportation 2026-03-10 S Senate Hearing: Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 8:30 AM Room 546-S 2026-02-26 S Senate Referred to Committee on Transportation 2026-02-25 S Senate Received and Introduced 2026-02-25 H House Engrossed on Monday, February 23, 2026 2026-02-19 H House Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea: 116 Nay: 5 2026-02-18 H House Committee of the Whole - Be passed as amended 2026-02-18 H House Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted 2026-02-16 H House Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Committee on Transportation 2026-02-12 H House Hearing: Thursday, February 12, 2026, 1:30 PM Room 582-N 2026-02-11 H House Hearing: Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 1:30 PM Room 582-N - CANCELED 2026-02-03 H House Referred to Committee on Transportation 2026-02-03 H House Introduced

Votes

2026-02-19 House Final Action - Passed as amended - Yea: 116 Nay: 5 Yea: 116 Nay: 5 2026-03-18 Senate Final Action - Passed as amended - Yea: 40 Nay: 0 Yea: 40 Nay: 0 2026-03-24 Senate Conference Committee Report was adopted - Yea: 40 Nay: 0 Yea: 40 Nay: 0 2026-03-24 House Conference Committee Report was adopted - Yea: 120 Nay: 1 Yea: 120 Nay: 1

Committee Referrals

2026-02-03 H Transportation 2026-02-26 S Transportation

Amendments

2026-02-16 House Committee on Transportation Report 2026-03-11 Senate Committee on Transportation Report 2026-03-17 Senate Floor Amendment (Committee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by Senator Klemp) 2026-03-24 Conference Committee Report