Topeka ? Legislative leaders and research developers this session quietly increased by $5 million bonding authority to build research facilities at higher education institutions, it was revealed Thursday.

The move upset several members of the Kansas Board of Regents, who said it was done without their knowledge and in a way that reserved the bonds for certain schools, while locking out others in a noncompetitive process.

“I have a little problem with that,” said regent Donna Shank, of Liberal.

Regent Janice DeBauge, of Emporia, also expressed displeasure with how Clay Blair, chairman of the University Research Development and Enhancement Corp., handled the situation.

But Blair said he acted “in the heat of the moment” by going along with legislators who wanted to increase the bonding authority and placed the amount in the state appropriations bill.

Regent Deryl Wynn, of Kansas City, Kan., asked Blair “What would your group do to make sure that this doesn’t happen again?”

But Blair defended the move saying that the extra bonding authority simply gives the regents the option of approving projects in the future.

Regent Chairman Dick Bond of Overland Park said, “I think we all could do a better job of communicating. That’s what broke down here.” But Bond said the overall research bond program has been a big plus for Kansas.

In 2002, the Legislature approved $120 million in bonds to build a biological research building at Kansas University Medical Center, a biological security center at Kansas State University, and an engineering complex and de-icing tunnel at Wichita State.

Blair said the drive to increase bonding authority was prompted by the prospect of getting a $2 million contribution for a polymer research facility at Pittsburg State University, if the state could match the donation.

In addition, K-State is seeking more funds in an attempt to lure a $25 million National Institute of Health grant, and Wichita State also is seeking more funds to build a larger de-icing tunnel, Blair said.

Blair said the regents would have final say on whether the increased bonds, and savings realized from the existing projects, should be used and for which projects.