(Feb. 10, 2026) –Today, the Senate Committee on Government Efficiency held a hearing on Senate Bill 363. The legislation requires the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department for Children and Families to enter into data-matching agreements with state agencies to verify eligibility for food and medical assistance. KDHE must also submit certain data (see below) to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services:
- Prohibiting certain public assistance waivers or exemptions without legislative approval and self-attestation for determining eligibility for public assistance
- Limiting retroactive enrollment in Medical Assistance
- Immediately terminating eligibility for the Medical Assistance Program upon confirmation of the enrollee's death
- Increasing the age limit for able-bodied adults without certain dependents
- Prohibiting certain exemptions from work requirements under the Food Assistance Program.
The committee heard a bill overview from the Revisor's Office and testimony from proponents:
- Kaitlyn Finley, Foundation for Government Accountability
Neutral testimony:
- Christine Osterlund, KDHE
- Caral Whiteside-Hicks, Ph.D., KDCFS
The committee discussed the fiscal note submitted with the bill, which indicates a need for 256 additional full-time staff members and expenditures of $819,000 in fiscal year 2026, $18.5 million in FY 2027, and $17.1 million in FY 2028.
The committee will continue the hearing tomorrow and hear from opponents of Senate Bill 363.