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Kansas Legislature jolts to life with newcomers and generation of new policy agendas
The 2026 session of the Kansas Legislature burst to life Monday as Republicans and Democrats staked out public policy priorities, welcomed members to fill unexpired terms and awaited Gov. Kelly’s final State of the State speech.
Kansas Legislature jolts to life with newcomers and generation of new policy agendas
The 2026 session of the Kansas Legislature burst to life Monday as Republicans and Democrats staked out public policy priorities, welcomed members to fill unexpired terms and awaited Gov. Kelly’s final State of the State speech.
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Civil rights • Voter rights • Anti-trans legislation • Abortion • Immigration • Municipalities’ local control • Kansas State Board of Education
MORe STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS
Kansas has a housing shortage. One legislator is suggesting prison labor as a solution
A new bill in Topeka proposes legalizing the use of prison labor to address housing shortages while also providing inmates with job training, a proponent says.
‘Everyone needs to breathe’: Intense confrontation on Kansas House floor forces two-hour recess
An intense confrontation between a Republican and Democrat on the Kansas House floor Thursday during a gun debate forced the chamber into a two-hour recess as leadership worked to deescalate tensions.
Kansas pronoun bill sparks bipartisan concerns of turning ‘classrooms into courtrooms’
The Kansas Senate gave preliminary approval Wednesday to legislation that would ban school district employees from using names or pronouns other than a minor student’s corresponding biological sex or birth certificate without parental permission.
It’s illegal to own a pet raccoon in Kansas. One man is trying to change that
For the past four years, Lenexa resident Stephen Kaspar has been feeding and training wild raccoons that wander onto his property. He’s urging state lawmakers to pass a bill that would legalize pet ownership of raccoons.
Kansas Legislature votes to override governor’s veto of legislation that targets trans kids
Senate and House Republicans voted Tuesday to override Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of legislation that bans gender-affirming care for minors, rejecting pleas from Democrats to turn attention instead to issues that concern Kansans.
Kansas Senate Democrats urge support for healthy food over ‘humiliating’ restrictions
Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau urged her colleagues Tuesday to make access to healthy food a priority instead of imposing “humiliating” restrictions on how low-income residents use government funds for food. But the Senate advanced the bill on a voice vote.
Kansas protest march, Democratic governor sound alarm on federal DOGE operations
Sarah Melody, of Lawrence, joined dozens of people for a protest march Monday that circled the perimeter of the Kansas Capitol. She held a sign with the message ”No one elected Elon.”
Biotech company testing psilocybin pill requests preemptive change in Kansas law
A biotech company is attempting to persuade Kansas legislators to modify the state’s controlled substances act in advance of a possible new psychedelic treatment.
Sarah Wright / Contributed
Kansas lawmakers consider expanding window for fireworks sales
A proposed Senate bill would permit year-round fireworks sales from permanent retailers and expand the window around the Fourth of July for pop-up vendors.
Lone Catholic nun stands before Kansas House to oppose immigration enforcement resolution
Sister Therese Bangert stood alone before a house committee to denounce a resolution urging Gov. Laura Kelly to do everything in her power to support the immigration enforcement agenda of President Donald Trump.
Kansas House bills would impose stricter penalties for domestic battery, fleeing police
Roberta Jackson was physically abused by a man who had an extensive history of hurting women in at least seven other states. She testified Monday about legislation that would strengthen penalties for repeat offenders of domestic violence.
Kansas university leaders condemn bill abolishing property rights of faculty tenure
Academic leaders of KU and K-State said legislation retroactively abolishing property rights inherent in tenure would run off distinguished educators, undercut faculty recruiting, destroy research programs, trigger an exodus of students and deliver a devastating blow to the state’s economy.
Kansas governor vetoes gender-affirming care ban for minors; Republicans ready for override
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed Republican-led legislation Tuesday that attempts to ban gender-affirming care for minors, a move a top GOP lawmaker called “reckless and senseless.”
Arts, entertainment, business converge in attempt to secure Kansas film production incentives
Film and television production professionals are hoping this is the year incentives become law so Kansas can attract talent to grow the local media industry.
Child welfare advocates split with law enforcement on distinguishing neglect from poverty in Kansas
Testimony over a proposal to redefine “neglect” for the child welfare system showed a divide between social workers and law enforcement.
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