The Kansas Appleseed team was back at it again this week at the Statehouse. Only one week remains before the legislature is expected to adjourn, so the clock is ticking to get legislation through the final steps. Next week will be made up of conference committees and final actions on bills, and our team will be watching and advocating up until the final gavel.
Here’s what happened on bills we’ve been following this week:
Ending Childhood Hunger
It was a whirlwind week in the Statehouse for proactive policies that would feed more Kansas kids! Earlier in the week, the contents of SB 438 were placed into HB 2402, becoming Senate Substitute for HB 2402. On Thursday, the bill was worked on the Senate floor, where it passed 38-2. We have long championed the Community Eligibility Program, and we support this bill because it works to get more food to Kansas kids during the school day. The vote count for this bill was a reminder to our team that ending childhood hunger defies all partisanship. We look forward to seeing where this bill goes next.
On Wednesday, HB 2731, which requires DCF and the Office of Inspector General to exchange information on SNAP and TANF fraud investigations, was worked on the Senate floor. We were pleased to see Sen. Adam Thomas successfully offer an amendment to this bill that would direct DCF to integrate their systems so that 60,000 more Kansas kids will receive their SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) benefits every summer. The bill passed 37-3, as amended. This is a “fix” that we’ve been working with partners towards for several years. We are excited to see what happens next!
Protecting and Expanding Food Assistance Programs
SB 363 was passed out of the House Committee on Welfare Reform on Tuesday, with a few key amendments on the Medicaid provisions of the bill. While we are relieved to see less harm in the bill, we still oppose this bill as it creates red tape and barriers at a time when we need to make the government more efficient for Kansas families. This bill was set to be voted on in the Kansas House yesterday; however, the House abruptly adjourned in the middle of the day, leaving many questions about how the rest of the session will shake out.
Protecting Access to the Ballot Box
HB 2437, a bill that authorizes the use of additional, unreliable resources for verifying voter registration records, passed in the Senate yesterday and now heads to the Governor’s desk. We oppose this bill because it would increase the risk of errors that could result in eligible voters being removed from the voter rolls.
HB 2569, a bill that limits all constitutional challenges to election laws to the Shawnee County district court, also passed in the Senate yesterday and now awaits the Governor’s decision. We oppose 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.
S Sub for SB 394, A trigger law that would eliminate “no excuse” mail voting if current practice of signature verification for mail ballots are found to be unconstitutional. Additionally, much of the language from HB 2569 (see above) was also added to this bill. This bill passed out of the House Committee on Elections. We oppose this bill.
H Sub SB 65, a bill banning mail-only elections for city, county, and school elections and restricting ballot delivery assistance to only those deemed to be a “qualified elector”. This bill passed out of the House Committee on Elections. We oppose this bill.
Improving the Foster Care System
This week, the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Chamber both amended and passed HB 2521, which would expand the Kansas Tort Claims Act to include private child placement agencies that contract with DCF. The amendments carve out cases introduced before July 1, 2026, and establish a December 2027 sunset. Despite these positive amendments, we oppose this bill because we are against any effort to prevent harmed children from seeking unconstrained justice.
The Senate passed HB 2320, which would authorize children in DCF custody to attend school in any district, require that their records be transferred between districts in a timely manner, and require, if needed, a transportation plan to keep the child at their original school. We support this bill because kids’ uninterrupted access to education should always be a top priority.
Ensuring Fairness in the Adult Justice System
The Senate passed HB 2467, which makes changes regarding suspended and restricted driver’s licenses. We support this bill because it will help people get back to work by preventing them from losing their driver’s license for unnecessary reasons.
HB 2653, requiring the Kansas Secretary of Corrections to assist inmates with obtaining identification and employment-related documentation prior to release from custody, was also passed by the Senate. We support this bill because it will help individuals smoothly transition out of incarceration and get back to their lives.
The Senate passed Sub HB 2595, which enacts the attorney training program for rural Kansas act, provides stipends to law students who meet certain requirements and agree to practice law in rural areas, and provides loan forgiveness to lawyers who meet certain requirements and practice law in rural areas. We support this bill as an important step toward ensuring that every Kansan has access to legal counsel in their own communities.
Supporting Justice-Involved Youth
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 funds from the state general fund evidence-based programs account for use at such centers, was also passed by the Senate. We support this bill as it will increase access to services for kids and their families navigating behavioral health struggles, which can help decrease potential system involvement.
