Kan. Stat. § 75-5012
On August 15, 1975, the Kansas turnpike authority created by K.S.A. 68-2003 shall be and is hereby attached to the department of transportation as a part thereof, except that the powers, duties and functions vested in or exercised or performed by said authority pursuant to law shall not be transferred to the secretary of transportation and shall remain the lawful powers, duties and functions of said authority. Persons who are members of the Kansas turnpike authority on August 15, 1975, shall continue to hold such offices under the conditions and limitations provided in K.S.A. 68-2003. Officers and employees of said authority shall not be transferred to the department of transportation as officers and employees thereof, but shall remain as officers and employees of the authority and subject only to the jurisdiction and supervision of the authority. All budgeting, purchasing and related management functions of the authority shall remain under the jurisdiction, supervision and control of the authority under the conditions and limitations prescribed by laws applicable to the authority, and the secretary of transportation shall not exercise any jurisdiction, supervision or control over such functions. To the fullest extent allowed by law, the Kansas turnpike authority shall cooperate with the secretary of transportation so as to achieve maximum coordination in the planning, development and operation of the highway systems in this state.
K.S.A. 75-5012