TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- A state agency has been asked to study ways to save money at the Kansas Neurological Institute in Topeka.

Rep. David Crum, a Republican from Augusta, says the discussion could include transitioning KNI from an institution for people with severe developmental disabilities to residential housing for the disabled.

But Crum said Tuesday that the discussion is only in preliminary stages. He says he asked the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services to make recommendations after a two-day legislative break in March.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports (http://bit.ly/wOdsJy) that the House Social Services Budget Committee approved Gov. Sam Brownback's recommendation to provide $28.6 million for KNI, with $10.3 million from the state general fund.

Last year, Brownback recommended closing the KNI but lawmakers rejected the proposal.