While it was just a three-day week at the Statehouse, it was still a very fast-paced one for our team as we saw action on some of the most critical bills we are monitoring this session.
Ending Childhood Hunger
The House Committee on Education will have a hearing on Monday on SB 387, which requires additional income verification for free school meals, requires school districts to seek legislative approval to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), and eliminates the reduced-price meal copay for students who qualify. We oppose this bill and will testify verbally.
The Senate Committee on Education will hold a hearing next Thursday on SB 438, which requires eligible boards of education to consider participation in the Community Eligibility Program, provides a financial hardship exception from such participation, and requires the Kansas Department of Education to assist school districts seeking such participation. We support this bill and will testify verbally.
This week, the House passed their budget, and during floor discussion, there was an amendment to include money for elimination of the reduced-price meal copay for Kansas kids. While we were glad to see representatives passionately talk about childhood hunger in Kansas, we were sad to see this amendment fail, though it did have bipartisan support.
Protecting and Expanding Food Assistance Programs
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, was voted out of the Senate Committee on Government Efficiency on Wednesday. Our understanding is that it will be voted on in the Senate next week. We oppose this bill.
Improving the Foster Care System
The Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare will have a hearing on Thursday on HB 2132. This bill has changed significantly since being introduced, and, unfortunately, it no longer addresses the harmful connection between instances of poverty and neglect; rather, it now only provides a simple technical change: replacing the word “shall” with “may” with respect to when a law enforcement officer takes a child under 18 years of age into custody. We support this change, but are disappointed to see such an important aspect of the bill removed.
Ensuring Fairness in the Adult Justice System
The Senate Committee on the Judiciary had a hearing on HB 2653, requiring the Secretary of Corrections to assist inmates with obtaining identification and employment-related documentation prior to release from custody. We support this bill, as it will greatly help individuals transition out of incarceration and get back to their lives
Supporting Justice-Involved Youth
HB 2329, which would increase youth detention limits, expand criminal penalties, require the state to create youth residential penalties (group homes) using funds from the evidence-based programs accounts, expand the definition of “chronic offender,” and require detention placement for youth presenting to intake for the second time in a year, was sent to Conference Committee where legislators will come together from the House and Senate to discuss the bill and its amendments. We oppose this bill.
Launching the Justice for All Tour
While our immediate attention is on Statehouse advocacy, we are already looking ahead to August, when voters will face a consequential vote: maintaining the merit-based process for selecting Kansas Supreme Court justices. Over the next five months, our Civic Engagement Manager, Logan Stenseng, will be travelling the state to educate Kansans about what’s at stake in this election. We will be hosting a presentation in Iola on Thursday, March 5. If you’d like to attend, please register here. If you’re interested in having our team present about the constitutional amendment in your community, contact Logan at lstenseng@kansasappleseed.org.
This week was a heavy one for those of us who want a thriving, inclusive, and just state for every Kansan. No amount of legislation can rewrite a person’s identity. Kansas Appleseed is more resolved than ever before to keep fighting for sound laws and policies at all levels of government that benefit every Kansas. Our state’s future depends on it.
