Topeka ? Committees of the Kansas House and Senate plan to resume work on budget issues before the Legislature formally returns from its annual spring break.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee has scheduled meetings for April 17 and 18. The House Appropriations Committee expects to convene April 19 and 20.

The full Legislature returns April 25.

The committees are expected to draft rival versions of a $14.1 billion state budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

Last month, lawmakers were close to taking final action on a spending plan crafted by House and Senate negotiators who settled dozens of differences between the two chambers. But their agreement unraveled just before lawmakers adjourned last week for their spring break.