2026 Kansas Legislative Updates

2026 KANSAS LEGISLATURE CONVENES TODAY

The Kansas Legislature convenes on Monday, January 12^th for its 90-day general legislative session. Like last session, legislative leaders plan to run on a 90-calendar day, not 90-legislative day, schedule with a plan to adjourn in early April. This will be the second year in the current legislative biennium, which means bills from the 2025 session carry over for consideration in addition to newly drafted bills. We are also entering an election year for all statewide offices and 125 House seats. This fact generally impacts the duration of the session—legislators will strive for an abbreviated session so they can get to the business of fundraising and campaigning—and the tone and tenor of the issues they consider. In the world of campaign palm cards, mailers and social media posts legislators seeking reelection will look for issues that will differentiate themselves from potential opponents. Also, the majority party legislative leaders often avoid in election year sessions those issues and votes that may be considered controversial in certain vulnerable legislative districts. Striking the balance between pursuing policy goals and not putting colleagues in reelection harm’s way is often the theme in these years. However, this year may be different.

National politics and the balance of power within in the US Congress, led some states to redraw their congressional maps in a way that benefits the party in power in those states. The Trump administration pressured Kansas legislative leaders to return for a special session to draw a new map that would ensure the 3^rd Congressional District, currently held by Democrat Sharice Davids, could be won by a Republican. House leaders were unable to collect a supermajority of signatures needed to call a special session. However, leaders have since indicated that their chamber will not take action on a new map during the 2026 session. Further, there are a handful of legislators seeking statewide office, including Senate President Ty Masterson (R-Andover) for governor and Speaker Dan Hawkins (R-Wichita) for Commissioner of Insurance. They could use their leadership positions to stake out their claim for higher office by pushing certain “red meat” legislation. Johnson County Democrat Senators Ethan Corson and Cindy Holscher are also vying for governor.

Budget cuts will be a main focus in the 2026 session. While state revenues continue to outpace projections and there is a healthy ending balance, there is an anticipated $200 million annual shortfall over the next three years. Legislators began budget work during the interim session looking for ways to make significant cuts. Requests from those looking for a boost in state support will fall on deaf ears. The legislature was able to pass legislation that will cut both individual and corporate income tax rates based upon future revenue receipts. But far and away the issue that hounds them is property taxes. The legislature levies very little property tax as most is controlled by local taxing entities. But, the legislature will again look at a constitutional amendment that generally would place a cap on property taxes.

Beyond the politics of budget cuts and property taxes, we anticipate seeing several other policy debates which will grab the headlines this session. Energy rates, tax credit reform, legal reform, water, housing and economic development top the list of issues of interest among the Governor and many in the legislature. Legislators will also be looking at ways to impact policy on the many federal issues impacting states, like public assistance for the needy and rural health care. Additionally, Republican legislative leaders continue to signal that they plan their ongoing pursuit of policies creating more transparency in K-12 public schools and giving parents more choices in where they send their kids to school.

Republicans continue to enjoy a supermajority in the House and Senate which provides enough votes to potentially override any veto made by Democrat Governor Laura Kelly—the legislature successfully exercised this override power on some key issues last session. In her lame duck year as governor, Kelly may feel less inclined to reach across the aisle on the many hot-button issues. We’ll soon see how budget woes and election year politics influence the 2026 session.

WHAT TO EXPECT THE FIRST WEEK…

As noted above the session kicks off on Monday.  The first week of every session is mostly organizational as legislators return to Topeka, move back into their offices and hold introductory committee meetings. That’s no different this year, but the real work will start later in the week when Governor Kelly delivers her State of the State Address to the House and Senate on Tuesday evening.  We don’t expect her to present many details, but she will paint a broad picture for her agenda. We expect Kelly will focus on her legislative successes and broadly layout her policy objectives for the the final year of her administration, with a major focus on balancing the budget, early childhood initiatives, water resources, broadband access and economic development. The administration typically releases their budget recommendation to the legislature on this week to a joint meeting of the House and Senate budget committees.

Legislative Calendars: Calendars - January 2026 | Kansas State Legislature

Prefiled Bills

There have been very few prefiled bills this session; however, the bills are often of interest.  These bills are generally pet projects or political statements for the legislator prefiling the legislation.  Links to the full list of prefiled bills are below.

House Prefiled Bill List: 2026_Prefiled_Bills.pdf

Senate Prefiled Bill List: 2026_senate_prefiled_bills.pdf

Legislative Leadership:

House

• Speaker – Dan Hawkins (R-Wichita)
• Speaker Pro Tem – Blake Carpenter (R-Derby)
• Majority Leader – Chris Croft (R-Overland Park)
• Assistant Majority Leader – Kyle Hoffman (R-Coldwater)
• Majority Whip – Nick Hoheisel (R-Wichita)
• Majority Caucus Chair – Kristey Williams (R-Andover)
• Minority Leader – Brandon Woodard (D-Lenexa)
• Assistant Minority Leader – Mike Amyx (D-Lawrence)
• Minority Whip – Jo Ella Hoye (D-Lenexa)
• Minority Caucus Chair – Barbara Ballard (D-Lawrence)
• Minority Agenda Chair – Jerry Stogsdill (D-Prairie Village)
• Minority Policy Chair – Dan Osman (D-Overland Park)

Senate

• President – Ty Masterson (R-Augusta)
• Vice President – Tim Shallenberger (R-Baxter Springs)
• Majority Leader Chase Blasi (R-Wichita)
• Assistant Majority Leader – Caryn Tyson (R-Parker)
• Majority Whip – Rick Kloos (R-Berryton)
• Minority Leader – Dinah Sykes (D-Lenexa)
• Assistant Minority Leader – Oletha Faust-Goudeau (D-Wichita)
• Minority Whip – Cindy Holscher (D-Overland Park)
• Minority Agenda Chair – Marci Francisco (D-Lawrence)
• Minority Caucus Chair – Ethan Corson (D-Prairie Village)

Updated Legislative Rosters and Committee Lists

The Kansas Legislature’s website has been updated to include the most current roster of members and committee memberships.  The rosters and committee pages provide pertinent information, like contact information and meeting times and locations.  Below are links to areas of interest that we hope you’ll find useful as we kick-off the 2025-26 cycle.

House Roster: Roster | House | Kansas State Legislature

Senate Roster: Roster | Senate | Kansas State Legislature

Committee Lists: Committees | Kansas State Legislature

2025 Legislative Session Deadlines:

The following dates are the deadlines for introduction and consideration of bills for the 2025 Session, pending adoption as part of the Joint Rules of the Senate and House of Representatives. (2026_deadlines.pdf)

January 26th

Last day for member or members to REQUEST bill drafts from Revisor’s Office.

February 2nd

Last day for non-exempt Committees to REQUEST bill drafts from the Revisor’s Office. NOTE: This is the last day requests for introduction can be on non-exempt committee agendas

February 4th

Last day for Individuals to INTRODUCE bills in originating chamber. NOTE: Bills must be submitted to chamber staff during daily session for Introduction.

February 6th

Last day for non-exempt Committees to INTRODUCE bills in originating chamber. NOTE: Bills must be submitted to chamber staff during daily session for Introduction.

February 16th

Last day for committees to meet before Turnaround Day

February 19th (Turnaround Day) 

Last day to consider non-exempt bills in house of origin.

March 17th

Last day non-exempt committees can meet, consider bills

March 20th

Last day to consider non-exempt bills not in originating chamber.

March 27th (Drop Dead Day/First Adjournment) 

No bills considered after this date except bills vetoed by governor, omnibus appropriations act and omnibus reconciliations spending limit bill.

April 9th (Veto Session Anticipated to Begin)

Veto Session where the legislature considers gubernatorial vetoes and puts finishing touches on budget.

Exempt committees: House and Senate Federal and State Affairs, Senate Ways and Means, Senate Assessment and Taxation, House committees on Calendar and Printing, Appropriations, Taxation or select committees of either house when so authorized. Exempt bills are those sponsored by, referred to or acted upon by an exempt committee.

Exempt bills are those sponsored by, referred to or acted upon by an exempt committee.