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Proposed bill bans gender changes on Kansas driver’s licenses, birth certificates
A bill that would ban gender changes on Kansas driver’s licenses and birth certificates drew hundreds of opponent comments despite appearing on a committee agenda just 24 hours before the Tuesday hearing.
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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
Lawrence immigration activists worry as city’s sanctuary ordinance is in jeopardy
Lawrence activists are concerned about a bill on its way to the governor’s desk that will nullify a city ordinance protecting community members regardless of their citizenship status.
Legislature forwards House, Senate and Board of Education maps to governor
The Kansas Legislature sent to Gov. Laura Kelly a bundled bill Wednesday containing redistricting maps for the House, Senate and state Board of Education.
Kansas House revives and passes stalled sports wagering bill
A bill to legalize sports wagering took a significant step Wednesday, clearing the Kansas House just more than 24 hours after the measure appeared to stall in committee.
Kansas Senate quickly endorses legislation banning ‘sanctuary cities’
Kansas senators fast-tracked a bill prohibiting municipal governments from creating “sanctuary cities,” approving it without reading it or allowing opponents to testify. The bill now goes to Gov. Laura Kelly.
Kansas sports wagering plan hits snag after leadership-backed amendment fails twice
The future of a plan to legalize sports wagering in Kansas is up in the air after a House committee abruptly adjourned Tuesday.
Senate tackles fresh redistricting controversy with Board of Education map
Kansas Senate leadership proposed Monday a redistricting map for the 10-member Kansas Board of Education that critics indicated unnecessarily placed four incumbents in head-to-head showdowns.
Kansas Senate gives major shakeup of ballot drop box, mail voting law green light
A bill approved this week by the Kansas Senate would limit drop boxes in all but the largest areas of the state to one per county and add new security measures for surveillance. It would also end a three-day grace period for mail ballots to arrive after Election Day.
Native American legislator rejects GOP lawmaker’s apology for offensive remark
Rep. Ponka-We Victors-Cozad rejected the apology of a House Republican who said during a floor debate that he had to make certain Victors-Cozad was using a wooden gavel rather than a tomahawk to bring order to the chamber.
Bill banning city prohibitions on plastics throws home rule, environment out, representatives say
Some Kansas representatives say a prohibition recently approved by the Legislature on municipalities restricting plastic items tramples on local control and will cause issues for ecosystems across the state.
Kansas is on a path to make it easier to get your seized property back from police
Police can keep seized property “as long as necessary,” state statute says, if they believe it could be evidence in a trial. A proposed change to state law would require police to give items back.
Senate narrowly adopts bill affirming access to off-label drugs for COVID-19
A bill adopted by the Senate on a vote of 21-16 would mandate child care facilities and K-12 public schools to accept — without inquiry or scrutiny — the religious objection of parents or guardians to vaccination of their children against a collection of maladies.
Kansas House takes brief hiatus after approving more than two dozen bills
The Kansas House concluded business before a short break in the session Wednesday by passing more than two dozen bills, including proposals to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products, final approval of an education mega bill and passage of both legislative maps.
EMILY's List
Lawrence legislator nominated for national award celebrating women in public office
Kansas Rep. and Lawrence local Christina Haswood has been nominated for the Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award, which recognizes an “extraordinary woman” serving in state or local office.
Inclusion, fairness central to Kansas Senate debate over ban on transgender athletes in sports
Kansas Senators renewed a debate Monday over legislation to ban transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports, advancing the bill to a final vote despite pushback over what some considered discriminatory policy.
Democrats fail to shelve Senate GOP’s education bill of rights for K-12 public schools
One senator wanted legislators to volunteer for a week in classrooms before introducing a bill that would influence education funding or curriculum. Another said she didn’t need to do so to understand the necessity of affirming in law the key role of parents in educating children.
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