Kan. Stat. § 34-130
Except as otherwise provided in this act, on September 1, 1997, officers and employees who, immediately prior to such date, were in positions engaged in the performance of powers, duties or functions of the Kansas state grain inspection department concerning public warehouses which are transferred by this act, or who become a part of the department of agriculture, or the powers, duties and functions of which are transferred to the department of agriculture, and if, in the opinion of the secretary of agriculture, those positions are necessary to perform the powers, duties and functions of the department of agriculture concerning public warehouses, shall be transferred to, and shall become officers and employees of the department of agriculture. Any such officer or employee shall retain all retirement benefits and all rights of civil service which had accrued to or vested in such officer or employee prior to the effective date of this section. The service of each such officer and employee so transferred shall be deemed to have been continuous. All transfers of personnel positions in the classified service under the Kansas civil service act shall be in accordance with civil service laws and any rules and regulations adopted thereunder.
K.S.A. 34-130