Kansas Bioscience Authority Privatized

Kansas Bioscience Authority Privatized

In December 2016, Kansas legislators on the State Finance Council voted to privatize the Kansas Bioscience Authority (KBA). Privatization of the KBA was first proposed in January 2016 by then-Governor Sam Brownback as part of a plan to address shortfalls in the state budget.

The KBA was established in 2004 to support research in the bioscience sector, and received annual funding from the state, totaling $232 million over its twelve-years of operation. The KBA faced intense criticism after a 2012 audit revealed that its former head had misspent funds. This, combined with shortfalls in the state budget, reportedly led to the KBA’s sale.