We’re definitely feeling the pressure of the legislative calendar, as reflected in our work at the Statehouse this past week. We offered testimony on nine bills spanning all of the issues we’ve been working on this session. With just two weeks remaining before the first adjournment, we expect long days ahead as committees work up to the final hours to move bills to their respective chamber floors. During these intense final days, it’s especially important to stay vigilant, as legislative rules can shift quickly to advance harmful legislation. We’ll let you know how and when we’ll need your advocacy on the bills we’re working on.
Improving the Foster Care System
We testified against HB 2521, which would expand the Kansas Tort Claims Act to include child placement agencies that contract with the Secretary for Children and Families. This bill is attempting to fix an insurance issue on the backs of children in the foster care system. We were pleased to see members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary ask some tough questions of the proponents, which we hope is indicative of how they’ll vote on the bill. Read more about why we oppose this bill in our opinion piece in today’s Wichita Eagle.
The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on HB 2589, which would prohibit the Kansas Secretary for Children and Families from accepting anonymous reports of child abuse or neglect, while allowing law enforcement agencies to accept anonymous reports. HB 2589 was amended and passed out of committee. We offered testimony in support of this bill because it will narrow unnecessary entry into foster care and be a major step forward in shifting the culture of reporting and resourcing Kansas families.
The Senate Committee on Education held a hearing on HB 2320, which would authorize children in DCF custody to attend school in any district, require their records to be transferred between districts in a timely manner, and require a transportation plan, if needed, to keep the child in their original school. Uninterrupted access to education for kids should always be a top priority, so we testified in support of this bill.
Ensuring Fairness in the Adult Justice System
On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary had a hearing on Sub HB 2595, enacting the attorney training program for rural Kansas act, providing stipends to law students who meet certain requirements and agree to practice law in rural areas, and providing loan forgiveness to lawyers who meet certain requirements and practice law in rural areas. We offered testimony in support of this bill as it is an important step toward ensuring every Kansan has access to legal counsel in their own communities.
Supporting Justice-Involved Youth
The Senate Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing and passed out HB 2639, which would change the name of juvenile crisis intervention centers to juvenile stabilization centers, modify the intake criteria and treatment provided at such centers, and transfer monies from the evidence-based programs account of the state general fund for use at such centers. We testified in support of this bill.
Ending Childhood Hunger
On Tuesday, SB 438, requiring eligible boards of education to consider participation in the Community Eligibility Program, providing a financial hardship exception from such participation, and requiring the Kansas Department of Education to assist school districts seeking such participation, passed the Senate Committee on Education on a voice vote with no opposition. We are pleased to see this legislation move forward!
Protecting and Expanding Food Assistance Programs
On Thursday, the House Committee on Welfare Reform held a hearing on SB 363, which makes it harder for Kansans to access food and medical assistance by adding new verification rules, limiting agency flexibility, and codifying some of the most onerous parts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Only one out-of-state proponent testified, while over a dozen passionate opponents shared thoughtful stories backed by data and research to show why this bill would hurt our most vulnerable Kansans. We testified in opposition because Kansans deserve legislation that helps, not harms them.
Protecting Access to the Ballot Box
The Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs passed HB 2437, a bill that authorizes the use of additional resources for verifying voter registration records. We testified in opposition to this bill because it would increase the risk of errors that could result in removing eligible voters from the voter rolls. It now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration by the whole chamber.
HB 2569, a bill that limits all constitutional challenges to election laws to the Shawnee County District Court, was recommended for passage by the Senate Committee on Federal & State Affairs. We testified in opposition to this bill. Local district courts are capable of properly hearing challenges to election laws, and Kansans shouldn’t have to travel hundreds of miles to seek redress.
The House Committee on Elections heard testimony on SB 394, a bill that would end all mail-in ballot voting if any lawsuit is successful in challenging the merit of the current, inconsistent signature verification process. We testified in opposition to this bill.
HB 2453, a bill that would require applications for advance voting ballots to be filed by the 14th day prior to election day. It would also require advance voting in person to be completed by 12:00 p.m. on the Sunday prior to election day; extend the time for transmittal of advance voting ballots to 22 days prior to an election; and end the time for voter registration at 25 days prior to election day. This bill has a hearing on Tuesday, March 17, in the Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs. Please reach out to Logan Stenseng if you’d like to join us in opposing this bill be submitting testimony. Testimony is due to the committee assistant by 10:30 a.m. on Monday.
