Bill > HB2174

This bill establishes the Attorney Training Program for Rural Kansas Act, which aims to address the shortage of legal professionals in rural areas by providing financial incentives to law students and lawyers. The bill creates two main programs: a law student training and loan program and an attorney loan repayment program. For law students, the program offers up to $30,000 per year for three years to cover educational expenses, with the condition that students must practice law full-time in a rural Kansas community (defined as counties excluding Douglas, Johnson, Sedgwick, Shawnee, and Wyandotte) for at least 12 months for each year of funding received. For practicing attorneys, the program provides up to $20,000 annually in student loan repayment assistance, with a total maximum of $100,000 over five years, for those who live and practice law in rural communities. An advisory committee of seven members, appointed by the Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice, will oversee the programs, which include requirements such as completing an externship, meeting mentoring requirements, and maintaining good standing with the Kansas bar. The bill establishes a dedicated fund in the state treasury to support these initiatives, with the goal of encouraging legal professionals to serve in underrepresented rural areas of Kansas.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Justice

Agriculture and Natural Resources (H)

https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2174/