Topeka ? House and Senate budget-writing committees late Tuesday included major higher education funding pieces as they worked on public school finance.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee swept $24 million in funds that Kansas University has eyed for years to help build a new $75 million health education building. The funds are from a settlement in a FICA dispute. Under the committee’s action, the $24 million will help pay for a boost in public school funding.

Meanwhile, the House Appropriations Committee approved giving KU authority to issue $25 million in bonds toward the building.

Both committees’ bills will go to their respective chambers for consideration.

The Ways and Means Committee also proposed transferring $15 million from the Kansas Department of Commerce that would go in $5 million increments to the KU Cancer Center and to research at Kansas State University and Wichita State University.

In 2011, Gov. Sam Brownback insisted these research funds be placed in the Commerce Department before going to the universities. Under the action taken by the Ways and Means Committee, the funds will be sent directly to the universities.