Journal of the House

FIFTY-THIRD DAY

Hall of the House of Representatives,

Topeka, KS, Thursday, April 9, 2026, 10:00 a.m.

The House met pursuant to adjournment with Speaker pro tempore Carpenter in the chair.

The roll was called with 123 members present.

Reps. Alcala, and L. Ruiz were excused on excused absence by the Speaker.

Prayer by guest chaplain, former Representative, The Honorable Mike Thompson.

Thank You for each person who is here today. I ask that You be with us and that Your presence fills this chamber.

Thank You for every individual gathered here. I pray that You grant them wisdom, understanding, and discernment as we serve those who are being cared for.

Thank You for each person here and for their willingness to give and to sacrifice. We are grateful.

Be with us today and guide us in all that we do.

Amen.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Rep. White.

MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR

S Sub for HB 2212, HB 2393, HB 2511, HB 2519, HB 2622, HB 2702, HB 2761 approved on April 3, 2026

HB 2237, HB 2320, HB 2323, HB 2331, HB 2374, HB 2378, HB 2416, Sub HB 2435, HB 2440, HB 2444, HB 2467, HB 2470, HB 2487, HB 2520, HB 2524, HB 2536, HB 2537, HB 2539, HB 2552, HB 2562, S Sub for HB2571, HB 2574, Sub HB 2595, HB 2602, HB 2618, HB 2644, HB 2737, HB 2747, HB 2769, HB 2781 approved on April 6, 2026

S Sub for HB 2402, HB 2528, HB 2652, HB 2739 approved on April 7, 2026

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

The following message with the Governor's objection to HB 2468, AN ACT concerning education; relating to federal tax credits for contributions to scholarship granting organizations; electing to participate in the federal tax credit for individual contributions to scholarship granting organizations; relating to the tax credit for low income students scholarship program; increasing the aggregate tax credit limit; amending K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 72-4357 and repealing the existing section. was received and read.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

REGARDING VETO OF HOUSE BILL 2468

After years of neglect and budget disasters before I took office, we’ve worked hard to make sure Kansas’ public schools are fully funded and back on track. We must prioritize meaningful increases in Special Education funding over expanding the private school tax credit program. I will continue to fight for the full funding of our public schools.

 

Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto House Bill 2468.

Dated: April 6, 2026 Laura Kelly

Governor of Kansas

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

The following message with the Governor's objection to HB 2603, AN ACT prohibiting regulation of battery-charged security fences by municipalities. was received and read.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

REGARDING VETO OF HOUSE BILL 2603

I’ve always believed that local elected officials are best suited to make these types of policy decisions for their constituents. Local leaders and law enforcement officials, not the state government, should determine how these types of security fences are used in their communities. Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto House Bill 2603.

Dated: April 6, 2026 Laura Kelly

Governor of Kansas

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

The following message with the Governor's objection to HB 2719, AN ACT concerning administrative rules and regulations; relating to the rules and regulations filing act; providing exceptions for technical amendments; creating a process for certain rules and regulations to receive priority status in the adoption process; removing references to the revival of rules and regulations; clarifying that the department of the budget is not required to approve proposed rules and regulations that are otherwise mandated by federal law; adding references to department of corrections rules and regulations that are not subject to the act; requiring an agency to submit a proposed rule and regulation to the joint committee on administrative rules and regulations prior to presentation of a bill to the legislature for ratification and resubmit a rule and regulation to the committee if ratified; amending K.S.A. 75-3504, 77-419 and 77-437 and K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 77-415, 77-416, 77-420, 77-421 and 77-441 and repealing the existing sections; also repealing K.S.A. 77-418. was received and read.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

REGARDING VETO OF HOUSE BILL 2719

While I appreciate the Legislature’s efforts to clean up a bill that should have not been passed in the first place, this bill further confuses the rule-making process and makes state government less efficient and cost effective, not more. It is a blatant attempt by the Legislature to undermine the separate, but equal, authority of the executive branch by micro-managing state agency functions. Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto House Bill 2719.

Dated: April 6, 2026 Laura Kelly

Governor of Kansas

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

The following message with the Governor's objection to HB 2727, AN ACT concerning abortion; relating to the woman's-right-to-know act; providing for the plaintiff to elect to limit recovery in claims brought for violations of such act; making the laws providing for medical malpractice screening panels inapplicable when such election is made; amending K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 65-6708 and repealing the existing section. was received and read.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

REGARDING VETO OF HOUSE BILL 2727

Kansans have made it clear that they want the government to stay out of women’s private health care decisions. This bill is another attempt by politicians to involve themselves in these private decisions, this time by trying to intimidate health care providers. At some point, I hope the politicians in Topeka will recognize that Kansans want them out of their doctors’ offices, but until they do, I’ll continue to veto bills like this. Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto House Bill 2727.

Dated: April 6, 2026 Laura Kelly

Governor of Kansas

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

The following message with the Governor's objection to HB 2729, AN ACT concerning abortion; relating to the woman's-right-to-know act; requiring the Kansas department of health and environment to provide certain forms and notices to physicians; amending K.S.A. 65-6709 and K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 65-6716 and repealing the existing sections. was received and read.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

REGARDING VETO OF HOUSE BILL 2729

This bill requires the state to put false medical information out that has no scientific basis and only serves to mislead women. Kansans have made it clear that they want the government to stay out of women’s private health care decisions. This bill does the opposite. Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto House Bill 2729.

Dated: April 6, 2026 Laura Kelly

Governor of Kansas

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

The following message with the Governor's objection to S Sub for HB 2745, AN ACT concerning property taxation; relating to property tax revenues of taxing subdivisions; providing a protest petition to contest certain increases in property tax revenues; continuing reimbursements from the taxpayer notification costs fund for an additional five years; amending K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 72-5137, 79-2988 and 79-2989 and repealing the existing sections. was received and read.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

REGARDING VETO OF SENATE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL 2745

Kansans deserve real property tax relief. For several years the Legislature has claimed to make delivering that relief their top priority and yet they have not been successful in delivering on that promise. This session’s attempt, Senate Substitute for House Bill 2745, does nothing to provide that relief. Instead, the truth is that this bill will only restrict the ability of locally elected officials to be nimble enough to adjust to the unique needs of the communities they serve. In fact, the passage of Senate Substitute for House Bill 2745 has already caused a great deal of disruption at the local level all across the state. Multiple school districts and local governments have been notified that their bonds that were within days of closing have been terminated by the underwriters, due to the financial uncertainty that this piece of legislation creates. This means that projects which have already been approved at the local level have been stopped dead in their tracks, as their funding source has been removed due to the passage of this bill. The harm this bill causes local communities is real. The Legislature would be wise to focus their efforts on partnering with local elected officials to develop real property tax relief for Kansans, as opposed to shutting them out of the process and passing faulty legislation. I plan to offer a property tax package for the Legislature’s consideration which will lay the foundation for these conversations, while also providing tax relief for the portion of property taxes that the State is accountable for assessing. Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto Senate Substitute for House Bill 2745.

Dated: April 8, 2026 Laura Kelly

Governor of Kansas

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

The following message with the Governor's objection to S Sub for HB 2004, AN ACT concerning public assistance; requiring the secretary for children and families and the office of inspector general to exchange information and documents related to cash assistance, childcare assistance and food assistance fraud investigations; requiring the secretary for children and families and the secretary of health and environment to execute a memorandum of understanding or other written data-sharing instrument upon written request of the United States department of agriculture or the United States department of health and human services; requiring such secretaries to comply with written data requests from such federal agencies made pursuant to such memorandum of understanding or written data-sharing instrument; amending K.S.A. 39-760 and repealing the existing section. was received and read.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

REGARDING VETO OF SENATE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL 2004

Due to the sensitive, personal information the Department for Children and Families (DCF) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) maintain on Kansans who participate in programs like SNAP, there are strict data privacy protections regarding which entities have access to this data already embedded in federal law. This bill puts DCF and KDHE in the untenable position of violating state or federal law, thus open to lawsuits. Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto Senate Substitute for House Bill 2004.

Dated: April 8, 2026 Laura Kelly

Governor of Kansas

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

The following message with the Governor's objection to HB 2329, AN ACT concerning children and minors; changing the name of juvenile crisis intervention centers to juvenile stabilization centers; modifying the intake criteria for such centers; prohibiting certain rules and regulations for such centers; modifying the treatment and services provided by such centers; relating to the revised Kansas juvenile justice code; increasing the cumulative detention limit for juvenile offenders and criminal penalties for juvenile offenders who use a firearm in the commission of an offense or who are repeat offenders; providing for increased placement of juvenile offenders in non-foster home beds in youth residential facilities; requiring the secretary of corrections to pay for the costs associated with such placements between July 1, 2026, and July 1, 2030; requiring the Kansas juvenile justice oversight committee to monitor the impact and effectiveness of such placements; authorizing the secretary to make expenditures from the evidence-based programs account of the state general fund moneys to contract for such beds in youth residential facilities prior to July 1, 2030; transferring moneys from such account of the state general fund to the department for children and families to provide juvenile stabilization services; amending K.S.A. 38-2232, 38-2242, 38-2361, 38-2365, 38-2369, 38-2399, 75-52,161 and 75-7023 and K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 38-2243, 38-2330, 38-2391, 65-536 and 75-52,164 and repealing the existing sections. was received and read.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

REGARDING VETO OF HOUSE BILL 2329

In 2016, after much thoughtful fact-finding and deliberation, the Kansas Legislature passed SB 367, a monumental overhaul of our approach to our juvenile justice system. The effort was led by Representative Russ Jennings, the late former Commissioner of the Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority and a nationally recognized expert in the field. The intent of the reforms in SB 367 was to reduce the number of children in the “system” by providing more effective diversion and treatment programs in the community. Overall, the reforms worked. But they also exposed some gaps in the system, primarily centered around appropriate placement for children whose behaviors made it hard to find suitable placement for them in the community. HB 2329 was a well-intentioned response to that problem. Unfortunately, while looking for a solution for one problem, HB 2329 would reverse much of the forward progress made under SB 367. I encourage the Legislature to set up a special committee to study this issue again, in depth, and craft legislation that will build on the successes of SB 367 and retain Kansas’ position as a leader in the Juvenile Justice realm. Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto House Bill 2329.

Dated: April 8, 2026 Laura Kelly

Governor of Kansas

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

The following message with the Governor's objection to HB 2333, AN ACT concerning education; relating to postsecondary educational institutions; enacting the Kansas intellectual rights and knowledge act; providing a civil cause of action and penalties for violations of such act; authorizing students and student associations to exercise political and ideological beliefs, values and missions; amending K.S.A. 60-5311, 60-5312 and 60-5313 and repealing the existing sections. was received and read.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

REGARDING VETO OF HOUSE BILL 2333

I have long believed that the quality of public debate in our nation has been declining, and I strongly support the toning down of political rhetoric and a return to civility. Schools and college campuses are excellent places to begin this process. However, free speech and civil discussion are already protected by our state and federal constitutions. This will cause confusion for courts and schools and create confusing caselaw. Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto House Bill 2333.

Dated: April 8, 2026 Laura Kelly

Governor of Kansas

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

The following message with the Governor's objection to S Sub for HB 2372, AN ACT concerning law enforcement; creating the crime of unlawful approach of a first responder and providing penalties therefor; requiring traffic laws that apply to local and state law enforcement to apply to federal law enforcement; including federal law enforcement in the definitions used in the crime of interference with law enforcement; including buildings owned by the United States in the crime of interference with the conduct of public business in public buildings; including enforcement of federal laws and executive orders in the exceptions from liability in the tort claims act; relating to the enforcement of detainers issued by the United States immigration and customs enforcement by a county sheriff operating a county jail; requiring municipal insurance pools to provide coverage of law enforcement agencies enforcing federal law; requiring the state to pay certain judgments in federal civil actions and provide legal representation by the attorney general; exempting section 287(g) agreements from certain provisions of the interlocal cooperation act; amending K.S.A. 8-1404, 8-2010, 12-2904, 21-5904 and 21-5922 and K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 8-1102 and 75-6104 and repealing the existing sections. was received and read.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

REGARDING VETO OF SENATE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL 2372

This legislation poses a myriad of legal concerns. First this legislation creates serious tension between ensuring law enforcement officers can carry out their duties while respecting the First Amendment rights of Kansans to observe and record their actions. Second, there are already federal laws in place establishing the crime of interfering with federal law enforcement, meaning there is no need to create a state crime for the same unlawful activity. Additionally, this legislation would increase liability exposure, increase costs, and remove local control from county commissions in making determinations about preserving public safety and law enforcement operations. Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto Senate Substitute for House Bill 2372.

Dated: April 8, 2026 Laura Kelly

Governor of Kansas

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

The following message with the Governor's objection to HB 2437, AN ACT concerning elections; relating to voter registration; authorizing the use of additional resources for verifying voter registration records; establishing the SAVE Kansas act; requiring periodic comparisons with the federal systematic alien verification for entitlements (SAVE) database; requiring quarterly reports to the secretary of state of certain information of noncitizens receiving public assistance benefits; imposing restrictions on websites that can accept and transmit voter registration applications; removing individuals disqualified for voting from voter registration records; providing an open records exemption for certain information related to voter registration; amending K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 25-2316c and 25-2324 and repealing the existing sections. was received and read.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

REGARDING VETO OF HOUSE BILL 2437

This legislation would impose restrictions on online voter registration that could suppress civic engagement and make it harder for Kansans to vote. It risks purging the voter rolls of rightfully eligible voters. Furthermore, this legislation directs certain state agencies to provide the personal information —including name, date of birth, residential address, and the last four digits of the social security number—of public assistance benefit recipients to the Secretary of State’s Office, even though disclosure of this information may be prohibited under federal law. Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto House Bill 2437.

Dated: April 8, 2026 Laura Kelly

Governor of Kansas

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

The following message with the Governor's objection to HB 2513, AN ACT concerning making and concerning appropriations for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2026, June 30, 2027, June 30, 2028, June 30, 2029, and June 30, 2030, for state agencies; authorizing certain transfers, capital improvement projects, assessments and fees; authorizing certain transfers; imposing certain restrictions and limitations; directing or authorizing certain disbursements, procedures and acts incidental to the foregoing; amending K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 2-223, 12-1775a, 12-5256, 74-50,107, 74-8711, 74-99b34, 75-6707, 76-775, 76-7,107, 79-2989, 79-3425i and 82a-955 and repealing the existing sections., was received and read.

Secs. 15(b) and (c); 26(a) portions; 30(a) portions; 37(a); 37(e); 38(d); 47; 53(b); 54(w); 54(s); 54(t); 54(u); 54(y); 60(c),61(i); 64(r); 65(s); 72(l); 74(p); 74(o); 81(g); 74(q); 77(b); 78(a) portions; 78(dd); 81(h); 87(f); 87(g); 88(l); 88(a) portions; 88(l); 88(a) portions; 88(k); 88(m); 96(d); 140(a) portions; 140(k); 153; 155; 163(a); 181(a).

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

REGARDING LINE-ITEM VETO OF HOUSE BILL 2513

For eight years, I have submitted responsible budgets that made investments in Kansans and that put the state’s financial house back in order. Each budget was a partnership between the Legislature and me to ensure that, together, we passed a budget that reflects the values of Kansans from every corner of the state. The Legislature has abandoned that partnership, wholly setting aside my commonsense budget recommendation, and instead passing House Bill 2513. This is a budget that does not represent the values of all Kansans, cuts funding for critical services, and relies on our rainy-day fund to prop up our ending balance in the out years. In short, this is a bad budget. 

 

Last fall, I toured the state to hear directly from Kansans and to ask them what they would like to see included in their budget. Two of the main themes that emerged from this listening tour were to fully fund education, including special education, and to continue investments in mental health services. This budget misses the mark on both of those items. 

 

While I am appreciative of the $6.0 million increased funding for Special Education, this is far short of what our schools are spending each year to provide these services. My budget called for an incremental $50.6 million in Special Education funding, which would have put us on the path to fully funding these services. By under-funding Special Education, school districts are forced to rely on their general operating budgets to make up for the shortfall. This is a disservice to every Kansas student. 

 

Additionally, this budget inexplicably cuts funding for mental health services in schools. At a time when we should be supporting our students and providing more services, a spur-of-the-moment decision was made to cut funding for school-based mental health services by over 37 percent. This funding cut did not receive a hearing, was not based on feedback from providers, parents, or students, and had no data to support the logic for this ill-informed reduction. Cutting funding for mental health services for our students runs counter to every discussion that has occurred over the past year, including the logic that was behind the school cell phone ban that I signed into law this year. 

This budget also fails to recognize the hard work that state employees do every day throughout the year to deliver critical services for our citizens. My budget called for a 2.5 percent pay increase for all state employees to reward them for their efforts, and to help them keep up with the pace of rising costs. The Legislature chose to ignore this recommendation and instead only provided a 1.0 percent pay increase for executive branch employees. However, the Legislature had no problem finding the funding to provide themselves with a 4.4 percent pay increase, and a 10.0 percent pay increase for their own staff. The funding to increase Legislator and Legislative staff pay was never debated in a hearing during the session. It was simply added to the base budget from the get-go and only came to light when it became clear that the Legislature was going to attempt to abandon any pay increases for executive branch employees.  This is disrespectful to employees across the state. Our employees deserve better, and our citizens deserve more transparency from their elected officials. 

 

This budget includes a 1.5 percent cut to operating budgets for most state agencies. This is purported to be an across-the-board budget reduction. But make no mistake; this is anything but an across-the-board cut. In fact, the Legislature exempted their own budget from this budget cut, holding harmless a budget for their branch of government that has doubled since fiscal year 2022. It also exempts pet projects that were added during this budget cycle, effectively protecting pork spending, while asking agencies to cut funding for core services that have been in place for years. The result will be a reduction in scope of the programs that every day Kansans have come to rely on, while protecting funding for special interests. 

 

While the overall budget is disappointing and falls short in many areas, there are areas that received much needed funding enhancements. This budget contains the funding necessary to fully stand up the Kansas Office of Early Childhood. This Office will consolidate services currently housed in multiple agencies into one agency, whose sole mission is to focus on early childhood services. Additionally, this budget continues to fully fund the state water program, making needed investments in water programming, which will help safeguard one of the state’s most precious resources. 

 

I urge the Legislature to return to the days of partnering with the Governor to develop a budget that is representative of all Kansans, invests in the future of our state, and that provides stability for years to come. As elected officials, our citizens have placed a great deal of trust in us to work together to be good stewards of their resources, and we should strive to answer this call. 

 

Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(b) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby return House Bill 2513 with my signature approving the bill, except for the items enumerated below.   

 

Board of Nursing – Nurse Fair Treatment and Recovery Fund 

Sec. 15(b)-(c) have been line-item vetoed in their entirety. 

The creation of this fund could increase the Board of Nursing's exposure to lawsuits and place financial pressure on the resources the agency needs to do its job. Additionally, this proviso sets an unusual precedent that would complicate the existing process for claims against state agencies. Claims against the Board should be brought to and considered through the existing Joint Committee on Special Claims Against the State process.  

 

Legislature – Legislative Salary Increases 

The portion of Sec. 26(a) that reads as follows has been line-item vetoed: 

Operations (including official hospitality) (428-00-1000 0103)......................................$24,688,536 

Provided, That any unencumbered balance in the operations (including official hospitality) account in excess of $100 as of June 30, 2026, is hereby reappropriated for fiscal year 2027: Provided further, That expenditures may be made from this account, pursuant to vouchers approved by the chairperson or vice chairperson of the legislative coordinating council, to pay compensation and travel expenses and subsistence expenses or allowances as authorized by K.S.A. 75-3212, and amendments thereto, for members and associate members of the advisory committee to the Kansas commission on interstate cooperation established under K.S.A. 46-407a, and amendments thereto, for attendance at meetings of the advisory committee that are authorized by the legislative coordinating council, except that: (1) The legislative coordinating council may establish restrictions or limitations, or both, on travel expenses, subsistence expenses or allowances, or any combination thereof, paid to members and associate members of such advisory committee; and (2) any person who is an associate member of such advisory committee, by reason of such person having been accredited by the national conference of commissioners on uniform state laws as a life member of that organization, shall receive the same travel expenses and subsistence expenses for attendance at meetings of the advisory committee as a regular member, but shall receive no per diem compensation: And provided further, That expenditures may be made from this account for services, facilities and supplies provided for legislators in addition to those provided under the approved budget and for related copying, facsimile transmission and other services provided to persons other than legislators, in accordance with policies and any restrictions or limitations prescribed by the legislative coordinating council: And provided further, That no expenditures shall be made from this account for any meeting of any joint committee, or of any subcommittee of any joint committee, chargeable to fiscal year 2027 unless such meeting is approved by the legislative coordinating council: And provided further, That, notwithstanding the provisions of K.S.A. 45-116, and amendments thereto, or any other statute, no expenditures shall be made from this account for the printing and distribution of copies of the permanent journals of the senate or the house of representatives to each member of the legislature during fiscal year 2027: And provided further, That, notwithstanding the provisions of K.S.A. 77-138, and amendments thereto, or any other statute, no expenditures shall be made from this account for the printing and distribution of complete sets of the Kansas Statutes Annotated to each member of the legislature in excess of one complete set of the Kansas Statutes Annotated to each member at the commencement of the member's first term as legislator during fiscal year 2027: And provided further, That, notwithstanding the provisions of K.S.A. 77-138, and amendments thereto, or any other statute, no expenditures shall be made from this account for the legislator's name to be printed on one complete set of the Kansas Statutes Annotated during fiscal year 2027: And provided further, That, notwithstanding the provisions of K.S.A. 77-165, and amendments thereto, or any other statute, no expenditures shall be made from this account for the printing and delivering of a set of the cumulative supplements of the Kansas Statutes Annotated to each member of the legislature in excess of one cumulative supplement set of the Kansas Statutes Annotated to each member of the legislature during fiscal year 2027: And provided further, That, notwithstanding the provisions of K.S.A. 75-1005, and amendments thereto, or any other statute, expenditures may be made from this account to reimburse members  of  the  legislature  for  expenses  incurred  in  printing correspondence with constituents: And provided further, That no expenses shall be reimbursed unless a legislator has first obtained approval for such printing by the director of legislative administrative services: And provided further, That such reimbursements shall only be issued after a legislator provides written receipts showing such expense to the director of legislative administrative services: And provided further, That the maximum amount reimbursed to any legislator shall be equal to or less than the maximum amount allotted to any legislator for constituent correspondence pursuant to policies adopted by the legislative coordinating council: And provided further, That in addition to the provisions of the Kansas legislative intern program pursuant to legislative coordinating council policy 37, expenditures shall be made by the above agency from this account in fiscal year 2027 to pay for the actual mileage of Kansas legislative interns traveling to the capitol for the required minimum of 12 days of attendance at the capitol. 

 

I do not make the decision to veto the Legislature’s operating budget lightly. However, I feel it is the only appropriate response given the Legislature’s refusal to provide a meaningful pay increase for state employees within the executive branch. The Legislature’s operating budget contains a 4.4 percent pay increase for Legislators. This is on top of the 93 percent pay increase Legislators gave themselves two years ago. It also includes a 10 percent pay increase for Legislative Branch employees. 

The 1 percent pay increase for state employees in this budget is nothing but an afterthought despite the vital work these employees do, from preserving public safety to clearing roads. It shows a total lack of respect for the hard work Executive Branch employees do on a day-in and day-out basis. And it’s just plain wrong.

Kansans deserve a Legislature that is fair, transparent, and does the right thing, not one that gives state employees scraps while lining their own pockets. The Legislature must fund the 2.5 percent pay increase that I called for in my budget. It’s the right thing to do and our state employees deserve it.  

Office of the Governor – Child Advocacy Center Grants 

The portion of Sec. 30(a) that reads as follows has been line-item vetoed: 

And provided further, That expenditures shall be made from such account whereby child advocacy centers are funded in order of the date of establishment starting with the most recently established child advocacy center. 

This language would require grants awarded to Child Advocacy Center be funded in the order of the date of establishment, starting with the most recently established centers. While well-intentioned, this language presents procedural challenges for the Governor’s Grants Program and would be antithetical to the current grant distribution process, where funds are prioritized based on which Centers have the greatest needs for support. This proviso could ultimately harm the availability of services for child victims across the state, as the largest and oldest centers often serve the largest populations of victims, and therefore have the greatest need for state grant support. 

 

State Treasurer – Funding for Pregnancy Crisis Centers 

Sec. 37(a) has been line-item vetoed in its entirety. 

I continue to believe that the pregnancy crisis center program has no place within the Office of the State Treasurer. This program, which has never been requested by the State Treasurer’s Office, spends taxpayer dollars on largely unregulated pregnancy resource centers and sidesteps the will of Kansans who have made it clear that the Legislature should not intrude on women’s private medical decisions. I have consistently vetoed this proviso each year because I believe that Kansans deserve unbiased support and medically reliable information throughout their pregnancies from licensed medical professionals. 

 

State Treasurer – Sweetheart Loan Using Taxpayer Funds 

Sec. 37(e) has been line-item vetoed in its entirety. 

The Legislature added this provision, which would provide a $50 million loan of state dollars to a private company at a discounted rate, despite the fact it was not requested by any state agency and the origins of the request are murky at best. It is not the place of the government to pick winners and losers in the business sector, and I am not comfortable exposing the taxpayers of Kansas to the financial risks of this sweetheart deal. This company should seek funding through the existing private institutions for business entities to acquire loans, just like mom-and-pop businesses across Kansas do everyday.

Department of Insurance – Restricting Communications Budget 

Sec. 38(d) has been line-item vetoed in its entirety. 

I do not understand why the Legislature singled out the Department of Insurance and restricted the agency’s communications budget when it did not take the same action against the office of any other statewide elected official. If this is about reducing spending in government, the funding limitation should have been applied across the board.  

KPERS – KEY Fund Transfer 

Sec. 47 has been line-item vetoed in its entirety. 

The transfer of funds from the Kansas endowment for youth fund to the children’s initiative fund has already occurred in fiscal year 2026, thus making this section duplicative. This transfer should not occur twice; therefore, I am vetoing this section in its entirety. 

 

Department of Administration – Parking Privileges for Legislators 

Sec. 53(b) and Sec. 54(w) have been line-item vetoed in their entirety.  

These two sections were inserted into the budget to create special parking privileges for legislators who were unhappy about following parking rules that apply to the general public. Creating special parking privileges for oneself should not be the Legislature’s focus—especially when their existing taxpayer-funded parking garage is located two blocks away. Kansans expect their elected officials to address real problems—not carve out exceptions for personal convenience. The current parking policy exists to protect the state from potential liability and damage claims. Allowing unrestricted parking after work hours would increase the state’s exposure to such risks and is not a responsible use of taxpayer money. Furthermore, the Department of Administration would have no practical way to verify whether individuals using the parking facilities after hours are state employees or Legislators. This is irresponsible policy and is not an ethical use of public resources.  

 

Department of Administration – Restricting Press Access to the Statehouse  

Sec. 54(s) has been line-item vetoed in its entirety. 

Last year, I vetoed a similar provision in the budget that imposed barriers on the Kansas Capitol press corps which hindered their ability to do their job efficiently. This item once again attacks a fundamental democratic principle our country was founded on—a free press. This not only imposes a similar barrier, but goes even further, making it even more difficult for the press to effectively report on the actions occurring in the People’s House. The Legislature should be searching for ways to make the lawmaking process more transparent, not erecting new obstacles that hinder the press in doing its job. 

Department of Administration – Government Inefficiency

 

Sec. 54(t) has been line-item vetoed in its entirety. 

The requirements placed upon the Department of Administration in this section epitomize inefficiency and bureaucratic red tape. This section would require the agency to expend state resources to locate federal tax forms—which are already available through other means for many organizations—and retain them on state databases, only to re-post them on state websites. This would also require the department to post sensitive tax identification information for these entities onto a publicly accessible website. In addition, this section requires the department to develop novel and undefined calculations for services that myriad organizations are providing for Kansans. This confusing concept did not grow organically through the committee process, or through stakeholders demanding answers. Rather, it was introduced on the fly as an amendment to be attached to a budget for an agency whose budget was already complete. Furthermore, the agency was not asked to provide any information on the burden this section would place upon them, the feasibility of even being able to fulfill the requirements of this proviso nor did these new requirements come with additional funding to complete these redundant tasks.

 

Department of Administration – Increasing Bureaucracy in the State Grant Process  

Sec. 54(u) has been line-item vetoed in its entirety.  

Similar to the immediately preceding section, the requirements placed upon the Department of Administration in this section epitomize inefficiency and bureaucratic red tape. Instead of allowing the department to focus its limited resources on continuing to operate government in an efficient manner, this section would require its employees to retroactively develop performance measures and undefined metrics dating back ten years for any organization having received state funding during that timeframe, without a defined outcome in mind. The Department of Administration already conducts thorough analysis and compiles comprehensive reporting of all state agency program expenditures each year, the results of which are audited by an independent, nationally recognized audit firm and posted for public consumption. Mandating additional busy work for the department is simply a waste of taxpayer resources.

 

Department of Administration – Exposing Sensitive Personal Information to Political Appointees 

Sec. 54(y) has been line-item vetoed in its entirety. 

There is no conceivable reason that a staffer reporting directly to legislative leadership should have unrestricted, administrator-level access to state employee personnel files, yet this is exactly what this section would provide for. Additionally, these politically appointed staffers would have unrestricted access to the sensitive personal information—including social security numbers and banking account information—for every state employee, and every citizen or entity to have ever received any funding from the state over the past ten years. State and federal law provide strict protections around access to personally identifiable information for good reason. The Department of Administration already hosts a publicly available database where every single financial transaction passing through the state is posted for public transparency. This data is posted to ensure that the state opens its books to the public while simultaneously protecting the sensitive personal information it is charged with safeguarding. I would urge lawmakers interested in reviewing this data to make use of the publicly available resources already in place, rather than attempting to circumvent privacy rules for their own political games. 

 

Department of Revenue and Department of Commerce – Endangering Confidential Taxpayer Data 

Sec. 60(c), Sec. 61(i), Sec. 64(r), and 65(s) have been line-item vetoed in their entirety. 

These provisions would require the Department of Revenue and the Department of Commerce to disclose individual taxpayer information. This would be an unprecedented release of taxpayer and business information. The Department of Commerce routinely reports to the Legislature on the status of the APEX program and the amount of funds claimed under its credits. If the Legislature wants information about the amount of APEX credits claimed, the Department of Commerce is happy to share that data. 

 

Department of Health and Environment – Vaccine Schedule 

Sec. 72(l) and Sec. 74(p) have been line-item vetoed in their entirety. 

 

The recent changes to the childhood, adolescent, and adult immunization schedules issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stand to create confusion among parents about which vaccines their families should receive, especially when these decisions are made behind closed doors. Kansans deserve clear communication, not a lack of transparency, when it comes to vaccine recommendations, so they can navigate these decisions with their doctors. Making abrupt changes to these longstanding vaccine schedules erodes trust in scientific evidence and the safety and efficacy of vaccines, ultimately endangering the health of Kansans and our communities.  

 

Department of Health and Environment and Department for Children and Families – Forcing State Agencies to Break Federal Law 

Sec. 74(o) and Sec. 81(g) have been line-item vetoed in their entirety.  

The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 requires that anyone applying for or receiving public assistance be offered the opportunity to register to vote at the time of initial application or eligibility review, and at each report of a change of address. Kansas falls under the jurisdiction of the 10^th Circuit Court of Appeals, which previously held that if an applicant does not respond to the voter registration question, the relevant state agency must still send them a voter registration form. Therefore, by prohibiting state agencies from expending funds to deliver these forms, the Legislature is once again ordering my administration to ignore federal law and will almost certainly force the state into costly litigation. 

 

Department of Health and Environment – Infringing on Kansans’ Constitutional Rights 

Sec. 74(q) has been line-item vetoed in its entirety. 

On August 2, 2022, Kansans voted to cement their constitutional right to reproductive freedom. Ever since then, the Legislature has continued to employ backdoor tactics that chip away at Kansans' access to these vital health care services. This proviso is no different. By attempting to implement this restrictive policy through a budget proviso, the Legislature has subverted the will of Kansans and intentionally avoided holding a public hearing to understand the full impact of this policy or learn how providers would be affected by it. 

 

Department for Aging and Disability Services – Restoring Funding for Mental Health Services in Schools 

Sec. 77(b) has been line-item vetoed in its entirety. 

Student mental health is a crisis impacting our youngest Kansans. Rather than properly addressing this crisis, the Legislature has decided to cut $6 million in critical funding to support our students and provide essential mental health support to them while in school. Additionally, the Legislature has decided to lapse $4.4 million of funding for this important endeavor in the current fiscal year. Despite these efforts, I am proud to restore these funds in the current year through this veto, ensuring Kansas kids will have access to the mental health services they need.  

 

Department for Aging and Disability Services – Fair Funding for Mental Health Services in Schools 

The portion of Sec. 78(a) that reads as follows has been line-item vetoed:  

Provided further, That expenditures shall be made by the above agency from such account during fiscal year 2027 in an amount of $1,500,000 for qualified schools: 

In one of its more egregious moves this session, the Legislature cut $6 million in funding for the Mental Health Intervention Team Program, which provides critical mental health support to our students. This program brings mental health interventions and support into our school buildings, reducing barriers to care that students and families might traditionally face.  

I am proud that Democrats and Republicans came together to ban cell phone usage in our Kansas schools. During legislative debate and commentary on that policy, we heard time and again that this ban was critical to addressing the mental health crisis facing our young Kansans. Those sentiments ring hollow given that the same Legislature claims to be concerned about student mental health actually cut critical funding to support efforts to combat that crisis.  

Our students deserve better.  

While I cannot add the funding cut by the Legislature back to the budget, I believe that the program should be more fairly administered if those funds are to be cut. In the state’s FY26 budget, it provided over $16 million for this program, of which $1.5 million was directed to support mental health intervention teams at qualified non-public schools. In the FY27 budget, the Legislature cut the total appropriation to about $10.0 million, while retaining the requirement that $1.5 million of that total be used for nonpublic schools. I do not believe that the public schools alone should bear the brunt of this disastrous cut.  

Thus, I have line-itemed vetoed the requirement that $1.5 million be appropriated for these non-public schools. If this program is to be cut, funding totals for our public and non-public schools should be reduced proportionally.  

 

Department for Aging and Disability Services – Information on Medicaid Services 

Sec. 78(dd) has been line-item vetoed in its entirety. 

I appreciate the Legislature’s attempt to ensure that Kansans on Medicaid have information about all their long-term options before deciding to move into a nursing facility. However, there are already existing pathways for Kansans to receive individualized assistance through their managed care organization or one of Kansas’ Aging and Disability Resource Centers. Additionally, the existing screening process for individuals entering Medicaid-certified nursing facilities provides them with personalized information on various long-term care options. This proviso does not account for existing processes or provide sufficient guidance or resources to implement a similar screening process for other types of nursing facilities.

 

Department for Children and Families – No Bid Contract 

 

Sec. 81(h) has been line-item vetoed in its entirety.  

 

While I support providing services to prevent foster care placements, the funding in this proviso is exclusively for a single entity. The direct allocation of these funds circumvents the established competitive grant process that ensures transparency, accountability, and value for the state. Additionally, the Legislature is ordering the Department for Children and Families to accommodate this no-bid contract using an unidentified source of federal funds. 

 

Department of Education – Legislative Overreach into State Assessment Scores 

Sec. 87(f) has been line-item vetoed in its entirety.  

The Kansas Constitution establishes a popularly elected State Board of Education for the purposes of supervising our public schools. While the Legislature may not like this reality, they must respect the role of the State Board of Education and its authority to handle educational issues as it sees fit. Directing how the Board is to administer state assessments and determine cut scores is clearly legislative overreach. These functions are best left to the Board where evidence, expertise, and best practices can dictate how we measure students’ success, rather than through budget provisos pushed by legislators. 

I also have grave concerns for how these provisions of this proviso would be implemented—likely leading to mass confusion and unreliable data on student success, leading to devastating impacts for our students and public schools.    

 

Department of Education – Legislative Mandates  

Sec. 87(g) has been line-item vetoed in its entirety. 

The portion of Sec. 88(a) that reads as follows has been line item vetoed: 

Provided, That the above agency shall expend moneys in such account during fiscal year 2027 to provide for the KSDE innovative assessment pilot in accordance with the new authorities authorized pursuant to the agency's innovative assessment demonstration authority application to the United States department of education to establish, operate and evaluate an innovative assessment system, including for use in the statewide accountability system, with the goal of using the innovative assessment system after the demonstration authority ends to meet the academic assessment and statewide accountability system requirements under title I, part A of the elementary and secondary education act as amended by the every student succeeds act: Provided further, That the above agency shall conduct a pilot program for such innovative assessments in school year 2026-2027 that includes the following school districts: Dodge City, USD 443; Geary County, USD 475; Great Bend, USD 428; Olathe, USD 233; Humbolt, USD 258; and Kansas City, USD 500: And provided further, That expenditures shall be made by the above agency from such account to the following school districts in the following amounts: Dodge City, USD 443, $108,526; Geary County, USD 475, $110,108; Great Bend, USD 428, $55,530; Olathe, USD 233, $348,920; Humbolt, USD 258, $32,051; and Kansas City, USD 500, $287,275: And provided further, That it is the intent of the legislature that the pilot program shall expand to nine or more school districts in school year 2027-2028: And provided further, That the above agency shall establish a plan for continuous growth and uptake of the innovative assessments each year thereafter with the goal to achieve statewide operational administration for the math and English language arts innovative assessments: And provided further, That the above agency shall publish the results of the innovative assessments on a quarterly basis: And provided further, That such quarterly report shall include the results of the other statewide assessments alongside the innovative assessment results, and if there are no such results to publish from the other statewide assessments, a notation shall be made that there are no such results to publish. 

Sec. 88 (l) has been line-item vetoed in its entirety.  

If members of the Legislature want to dictate how the State Board of Education is to manage student assessments or set cut scores, they should run for the State Board. It is not the Legislature’s role to require the State Board of Education to completely redesign how state assessments are created or provided to students. This is clear legislative interference in the constitutional authority of the State Board.  

I am also concerned that these provisions will unduly harm our current process for designing and providing state assessments, which only harms our students, teachers, and public schools.  

 

Department of Education – Interfering with State Assessments 

Sec. 88(a) that reads as follows has been line-item vetoed: 

Provided, however, That, of the amount appropriated to the above agency in such account, an amount of $2,000,000 shall not be expended until the above agency demonstrates compliance with the following provisos: Provided further, That, notwithstanding the provisions of K.S.A. 72-5170, and amendments thereto, or any other statute, the above agency, in consultation with the state board of education, shall make expenditures from such account during fiscal year 2027 to report the results of the 2026 and 2027 state assessments for math and English language arts using the cut scores that were in effect prior to July 1, 2025: And provided further, That the above agency shall only publish and report such assessment results using the cut scores that were in effect prior to July 1, 2025, and shall not publish or report such results using the new cut scores approved by the state board of education in August of 2025 for school years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027: And provided further, That the above agency shall certify to the director of the budget and the director of accounts and reports that the above agency has complied with the foregoing provisos and shall transfer a copy of such certification to the director of legislative research and the house of representatives committees on appropriations and K-12 education budget and the senate committees on ways and means and education: And provided further, That, notwithstanding the provisions of K.S.A. 72-5170, and amendments thereto, or any other statute, the above agency, in coordination with the state board of education shall make expenditures from such account during fiscal year 2027 to terminate on September 30, 2026, the state assessment contract with the university of Kansas center for research, inc., for the Kansas assessment program for the 2026-2027 school year. 

I do not condone the practice of legislative hostage-taking where critical funds for our public schools are held up until the State Board of Education adheres to the whims of a Legislature that continues to overstep its authority and tell the State Board of Education how to do the job it was elected to do. Again, the Legislature is playing a dangerous game of interfering with our current state assessment process—a game that could harm our students and their futures.  

 

Department of Education – Forcing Use of Existing Resources for Enhancements 

Sec. 88(k) has been line-item vetoed in its entirety.  

While I support many of the programs included in this proviso, and even included some of them in my budget, it is improper to fund these programs in this manner. Rather than providing the funding for these programs outright, the Legislature has directed $8.25 million in funds to be expended from existing resources, specifically anticipated excess finance formula funding that is not necessarily guaranteed. To bring more transparency and accountability for state funding, these programs should be funded through traditional means. 

 

Department of Education – Restricting Freedom of Speech in Schools 

Sec. 88(m) has been line-item vetoed in its entirety. 

It is ironic that the Legislature has made a point to pass legislation attempting to protect the freedom of speech of students at Kansas public schools and universities this session while also slipping this proviso into the budget without a hearing or formal review of its implications. This proviso does the exact opposite of those bills—penalizing school districts and students if they choose to speak out about their beliefs during the school day. 

I believe that our local school districts are properly equipped to handle these matters and work with their students and parents to ensure our public school environments are conducive to learning and preserving individual freedoms.   

Kansas Historical Society – Junior Officers’ Quarters 

Sec. 96(d) has been line-item vetoed in its entirety. 

While this is a worthy project, I believe the cost of restoring the Junior Officers’ Quarters at Fort Dodge should not fall solely on the State. I encourage local stakeholders and the Historical Society to work together to find private or philanthropic funding to fund this work or match a potential state appropriation. Additionally, this appropriation was made with federal COVID-19 relief dollars which are bound by federally required timelines that this project is unlikely to meet. 

 

Department of Transportation – No Bid Contract for Radio System Modernization 

The portion of Sec. 140(a) that reads as follows has been line-item vetoed: 

Provided, That, notwithstanding the provisions of any law to the contrary, expenditures shall be made from the above fund in an amount of not less than $5,000,000 to support, modernize and sustain seamless integration for the existing Kansas statewide interoperable communication system (KSICS) used by local, state and federal agencies for radio communications: Provided further, That such expenditures to modernize the KSICS shall upgrade the radio base station and dispatch console equipment with associated engineering and integration services that continue operations of the existing KSICS without downtime, a break in operations or a full system replacement: And provided further, That such KSICS upgrade shall: (1) seamlessly integrate standards-based shared systems into the existing KSICS original equipment manufacturer, as recommended by level 5 of the department of homeland security's safecom program interoperability continuum; (2) include the existing state-owned system cores and locally-owned infrastructure assets on the existing KSICS system; (3) not modify or change the existing methods of interoperability between state, federal and local KSICS users or diminish or negatively change the radio system coverage of the existing KSICS; (4) not require learning new system management functionality or platforms for the continued operation of the existing KSICS; (5) maintain any existing technology integrations not considered land-mobile radio that interface with the existing KSICS, including logging recorders, GPS mapping software, computer-aided dispatch, 911 systems, body-worn cameras; and (6) not require the use of gateways, bridges or ISSI/CSSI that deteriorate functionality, including cybersecurity, end-to-end voice encryption and interoperability of the existing KSICS and existing associated radio subscriber units, software and features, that have been procured by agencies within the state of Kansas, including state and local units of government: Provided, however, That moneys expended pursuant to this proviso shall not be used to supplant local government contributions but shall be used to enable and leverage local, county and regional investments in KSICS related equipment and services: And provided further, That it is the intent of the legislature that such modernization program of the KSICS will continue to be appropriated in an amount equal to or greater than the amount appropriated for fiscal year 2027 through fiscal year 2031: And provided further, That, on or before January 11, 2027, the above agency shall submit a report to the office of the governor, the director of the budget, the house of representatives committee on appropriations and the senate committee on ways and means that details the expenditures made pursuant to this proviso, KSICS system condition and lifecycle status, progress toward long-term system sustainability and anticipated future funding needs to maintain reliable statewide interoperable public safety communications. 

Sec. 140(k) has been line-item vetoed in its entirety. 

These provisions are a no-bid contract for the Kansas Statewide Interoperable Communication System (KSICS) modernization project. KSICS is the radio system that state and local law enforcement rely on to facilitate radio communication. Modernizing the system will be a multi-year effort that could cost upwards of $100 million in state funds. This initial $5 million appropriation would cement the current provider for the system as the vendor for the modernization project and will lock the state into a multi-year, multi-million contract that has not been properly vetted. 

Kansas communities deserve to get the best return on this investment possible. The vendor for this project should be identified through an open bidding process consistent with state procurement laws. No state agency requested this funding, as the agencies that administer KSICS are currently working to initiate a fair and transparent procurement process. I intend to give the next Gubernatorial administration the opportunity to undertake that procurement process and make the final decision on the appropriate vendor for KSICS modernization. 

 

State Finance Council – Lapsing Funding for Unfilled Positions 

Sec. 153 has been line-item vetoed in its entirety. 

The Legislature included similar language in last year’s budget, and I did not veto it. However, we have not yet reached the end of the current fiscal year in which the first lapse of funding is to occur, so we do not yet know the full impact of that policy decision. Given the unknown impact that this policy will have on agencies, coupled with the additional budget cuts that many agencies have already had to endure, I think it is unwise to proclaim another funding lapse necessary at this juncture. Since this lapse would not occur until the end of next fiscal year, the Legislature should review the impacts of the funding lapse implemented with last year’s budget during the 2027 session, and partner with the next Governor to determine if a subsequent lapse is truly necessary, or if this will prove harmful to the delivery of public services. 

 

State Finance Council – “Across the Board” Cut 

Sec. 155 has been line-item vetoed in its entirety.

If the Legislature is going to mandate a 1.5 percent cut to state operations, that cut should also include the Legislative branch. While this is touted as an “across the board” cut, the Legislature has exempted itself from having to reduce its own spending. This decision was made despite the face the Legislative budget has doubled in recent years. The Legislature also exempted their pet projects from this cut, meaning this funding reduction will directly impact the core services that Kansans rely on. If the Legislature wants to talk the talk of fiscal responsibility, it should also walk the walk.    

School for the Deaf – Powerhouse Demolition 

The portion of Sec. 163(a) that reads as follows has been line item vetoed:  

Provided, however, That no expenditures shall be made by the above agency from the powerhouse demolition account until the superintendent of the Kansas state school for the deaf certifies to the director of accounts and reports that the joint committee on state building construction has recommended the capital improvement project to demolish a powerhouse structure on the campus of the Kansas state school for the deaf during the 2026 regular session of the legislature: Provided further, That when the superintendent provides certification to the director of accounts and reports under this section, the superintendent shall transmit a copy of such certification to the director of the budget and the director of legislative research. 

The Joint Committee on State Building Construction has failed to meet since February 13, 2026, and has not considered the powerhouse demolition as required by this proviso. With only a few days left in the 2026 regular session and no scheduled meeting, it is unlikely that the School for the Deaf would be able to comply with this provision. The agency should not be penalized for the committee’s continued inability to meet on this subject during the regular session, and, after a year of delays already, the demolition should be allowed to continue due to its critical need.   

 

Kansas State Fair – Livestock Barn Upgrades 

Sec. 181(a) has been line-item vetoed in its entirety. 

I support continued improvements to the state fairgrounds, including the livestock barn. However, this project would rely on a 1:1 public-private funding match, and the State Fair has struggled to raise matching funds for similar capital improvement projects in recent years. As a result, we should not commit taxpayer funds to this project prematurely. I urge the Fair Board to secure the required private match for previously approved projects first and then return with a request for funding for the livestock barn. 

Dated: April 8, 2026 Laura Kelly

Governor of Kansas

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

The following message with the Governor's objection to HB 2521, AN ACT concerning the Kansas tort claims act; expanding the act to include child placement agencies that contract with the secretary for children and families between July 1, 2026, and July 1, 2029; amending K.S.A. 75-6102 and repealing the existing section. was received and read.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

REGARDING VETO OF SENATE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL 2521

Private child placement agencies are just that: private. They are not government agencies; they are private entities contracting with state government to provide contracted services. They are not, and should not be, provided the protections given to public agencies under the Tort Claims Act. HB 2521 would set a dangerous, and expensive, precedent. Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto House Bill 2521.

Dated: April 8, 2026 Laura Kelly

Governor of Kansas

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

The following message with the Governor's objection to HB 2569, AN ACT concerning elections; relating to actions challenging the constitutionality of state laws governing elections; requiring such actions to be brought in the district court of Shawnee county; relating to advance voting ballots; concerning court orders that invalidate or enjoin signature verification triggering a limitation on advance voting; amending K.S.A. 25-1119 and 25-1121 and repealing the existing sections. was received and read.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

REGARDING VETO OF SENATE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL 2569

The ability to vote by mail preserves this fundamental right of any Kansan to participate in the democratic process. It eliminates barriers imposed by proximity to a post office, work schedules, age, disability or illness, lack of transportation. By eliminating the ability to vote by mail for many Kansans, HB 2569 will disenfranchise a significant number of Kansans who are not able to vote in person. That appears to be the purpose of this bill as there is scant evidence of illegal voting necessitating these restrictions. Additionally, HB 2569, by requiring any lawsuits relating to election laws be filed in Shawnee County District Court, restricts due process and equal treatment under the law based on geography. Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto House Bill 2569.

Dated: April 8, 2026 Laura Kelly

Governor of Kansas

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

The following message with the Governor's objection to HB 2587, AN ACT concerning driver's licenses; requiring that citizenship status be shown on the license; requiring that persons who present a driver's license that identify such persons as noncitizens at a polling place be given a provisional ballot if such persons claim to be a citizen; amending K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 8-243 and repealing the existing section. was received and read.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

REGARDING VETO OF SENATE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL 2587

Kansas has one of the strongest driver’s license verification systems in the country and already requires individuals to provide evidence of citizenship or lawful presence in order to obtain a license or state ID. This has been the case throughout my entire administration and HB 2587 does not solve an existing problem. Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto House Bill 2587.

Dated: April 8, 2026 Laura Kelly

Governor of Kansas

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

The following message with the Governor's objection to HB 2593, AN ACT concerning contingent fee contracts for legal services; relating to contracts entered into for legal services by a political subdivision; requiring an open meeting before a political subdivision may approve such a contract; requiring the attorney general to approve such contract before such contract becomes effective; requiring the attorney general to submit a report to the legislature regarding contracts that are not approved; providing for the expiration of the section. was received and read.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

REGARDING VETO OF SENATE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL 2593

This legislation takes away the power of local governments to bring suits affecting their constituents if not approved by the Attorney General. Access to the courts should not be conditioned on the Attorney General’s discretion. I reiterate that local governments should oversee decisions like these as they best understand their needs. Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto House Bill 2593.

Dated: April 8, 2026 Laura Kelly

Governor of Kansas

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

The following message with the Governor's objection to HB 2626, AN ACT concerning veterans and military; directing the capitol preservation committee to develop and approve plans for a registry kiosk of Kansas military forces killed in action or who died of wounds sustained during active duty to be placed within the state capitol; relating to veterans benefits; enacting the safeguarding American veteran empowerment (SAVE) act to limit compensation for assisting in veterans benefits matters; establishing the Kansas military affairs commission; prescribing the powers and duties thereof; expanding government employment veteran preference to include current members of the national guard and such members' eligible spouses; expanding permissive preference in private employment to include servicemembers and such members' eligible spouses; amending K.S.A. 73-231 and K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 73-201 and repealing the existing sections. was received and read.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

REGARDING VETO OF SENATE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL 2626

House Bill 2626 contains several provisions that would be very beneficial to Kansas veterans. As the daughter of a career military man, I look for every opportunity to make life better for active-duty military, our veterans, and their families. Unfortunately, the Legislature added a provision to this bill that would allow for-profit entities to prey upon unsuspecting veterans, charging them hefty fees for services those veterans can receive at no-charge from state-supported veterans’ service organizations. I ask the 2027 Legislature to pass this bill again when they convene next January, without the poison pill provision. Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto House Bill 2626.

Dated: April 8, 2026 Laura Kelly

Governor of Kansas

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

The following message with the Governor's objection to HB 2651, AN ACT concerning crimes, punishment and criminal procedure; relating to issuance of a warrant or summons when there is probable cause to believe that a defendant has committed a crime; limiting the use of a summons instead of a warrant to misdemeanor crimes; requiring that any bond set on a warrant issued after failure to appear in response to a summons shall not allow release on the defendant's own recognizance; amending K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 22-2302 and repealing the existing section. was received and read.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

REGARDING VETO OF SENATE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL 2651

This bill takes away a judge’s discretion to issue a summons instead of a warrant in any felony case. This means that for low-level non-violent felonies, individuals must have a warrant issued and likely be detained, regardless of the felony. This blanket rule increases costs to the criminal justice system. Law enforcement entities testified to the negative impacts this legislation would have upon their departments. I stand with them in opposing this bill. Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto House Bill 2651.

Dated: April 8, 2026 Laura Kelly

Governor of Kansas

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

The following message with the Governor's objection to Sub HB 2731, AN ACT concerning public assistance; requiring the department of health and environment in coordination with the Kansas department for aging and disability services to seek federal approval to establish continuous medicaid eligibility for certain individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are receiving services through a home and community based services waiver; requiring the secretary for children and families and the secretary of health and environment to enter into data-matching agreements with state agencies to verify eligibility for food and medical assistance; directing the department of health and environment to submit certain data to the centers for medicare and medicaid services; prohibiting certain public assistance program waivers or exemptions without legislative approval; prohibiting self-attestation for purposes of determining eligibility for public assistance programs; limiting retroactive enrollment in the medical assistance program; requiring immediate termination of eligibility for medical assistance upon confirmation of death of the enrollee; increasing the age limit for able-bodied adults without certain dependents; prohibiting certain exemptions from work requirements under the food assistance program; amending K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 39-709 and repealing the existing section. was received and read.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

REGARDING VETO OF SENATE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL 2731

Substitute for HB 2731 adds unnecessary costs and bureaucracy in our human service and health agencies. These agencies already exchange data with each other and engage in rigorous oversight to reduce fraud and ensure that only eligible persons receive public assistance and health benefits. This bill does nothing new other than increase costs to the state by nearly $4 million, necessitate the hiring of 44 more employees and add unnecessary additional processing steps. Those additional steps will likely cause our processing error rate to increase, resulting in federal penalties costing millions of dollars. I don’t believe this was what the Legislature intended but will be the result if HB 2731 becomes law. Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto Substitute for House Bill 2731.

Dated: April 8, 2026 Laura Kelly

Governor of Kansas

MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

Announcing the Senate here with transmits certificate of action by the Senate on HB 2635, AN ACT concerning healthcare; enacting the pregnancy center autonomy and rights of expression act; providing statutory protection for private, nonprofit pregnancy centers and medical pregnancy centers to provide life-affirming care, support and material resources; creating a private cause of action for violations of the act; creating a right of intervention in legal proceedings challenging the act.

The veto message from the Governor having been received, a motion was made that not withstanding the Governor's objection to HB 2635, the bill be passed. By a vote of 30 Yeas and 9 Nays, the motion having received the required two-thirds constitutional majority of the members elected or appointed to the Senate, voting in the affirmative, the bill passed.

INTRODUCTION OF ORIGINAL MOTIONS AND HOUSE RESOLUTIONS

On emergency motion of Rep. Hawkins, HR 6047, as follows, was introduced and adopted:

By Representative Hawkins

HR 6047—A RESOLUTION recognizing and honoring Thomas Day.

A RESOLUTION recognizing and honoring Thomas Day for his distinguished service to the Kansas Legislature and the State of Kansas.

WHEREAS, Today we recognize and honor Thomas "Tom" Day, Director of Legislative Administrative Services, for his dedicated service, steady leadership and lasting contributions to the Kansas Legislature and the people of Kansas; and

WHEREAS, Tom assumed the duties of Director of Legislative Administrative Services on January 7, 2015, bringing with him decades of experience in state government and a comprehensive understanding of legislative operations; and

WHEREAS, Prior to his service with the Kansas Legislature, Tom was employed by the Kansas Corporation Commission for more than 27 years, beginning in 1987 as an administrative assistant to the chairman and advancing soon after through roles, including as management analyst, information resource specialist and Public Service Executive III, in which he served as a legislative liaison and docket room manager and oversaw facilities for the Topeka office; and

WHEREAS, Tom served as acting executive director of the Kansas Corporation Commission on four occasions, demonstrating consistent leadership and sound judgment prior to his transition to legislative service in January 2015; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Tom has been widely respected for his depth of experience, remarkable ability to recall past and present legislators and readiness to assist legislative members and staff with clarity and practicality, often providing guidance on matters ranging from committee procedure to the traditions and history of the Statehouse; and

WHEREAS, Known for his approachable nature and unmistakable presence, Tom is often recognized as much by his voice and laugh as by his title, quickly putting others at ease and reinforcing a collegial and supportive working environment; and

WHEREAS, Tom is regarded as a dependable presence within the Capitol. He is known for remaining composed in demanding circumstances, offering thoughtful solutions and, when necessary, providing clear and decisive guidance; and

WHEREAS, Tom's attentiveness to others and genuine interest in the people he meets are manifested in his extraordinary ability to remember names, faces and personal histories, thus fostering lasting professional relationships across generations of legislators and staff; and

WHEREAS, Tom's willingness to mentor and support both legislative members and staff alike, including those facing personal challenges, has contributed to a workplace marked by loyalty, continuity and mutual respect; and

WHEREAS, Beyond his professional accomplishments, Tom has been actively engaged in civic and community service, including serving on the board of directors of the Boys Club of Lawrence and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry, volunteering with the United Way of Lawrence, serving as agency coordinator for United Way of Topeka and holding numerous leadership roles within the Lawrence and Kansas Jaycees, including as state president and chairman of the board; and

WHEREAS, Tom remains active in Acacia Masonic Lodge No. 9 AF&AM in Lawrence and the Scottish Rite Masons, Lawrence Valley, reflecting his continued commitment to community involvement; and

WHEREAS, Tom is a graduate of the University of Kansas and a proud Jayhawk. He resides in Lawrence with his wife, Joyce, and is the proud father of two sons, David and Michael, and grandfather to four grandsons; and

WHEREAS, Tom's professionalism, reliability, good judgment and dedication to public service have made a meaningful and lasting impact on the Kansas Legislature and the State of Kansas: Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Kansas: That we recognize and honor Thomas "Tom" Day for his distinguished service and express our sincere appreciation for his contributions to the Kansas Legislature and the people of this state; and

Be it further resolved: That the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives shall send an enrolled copy of this resolution to Representative Hawkins.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS

There being no objection, the following remarks of Speaker Hawkins are spread upon the Journal:

Speaker Hawkins honored Tom Day for his many years of dedicated service to the state of Kansas, including over a decade as Director of Legislative Administrative Services and a long career with the Kansas Corporation Commission. He was recognized for his commitment, often working late hours to ensure the legislature functioned smoothly, and for providing thoughtful guidance while respecting the decisions of lawmakers. The Speaker expressed deep respect and gratitude for Tom's contributions and wished him well in his retirement, noting he will surely remain a familiar presence around the Capitol.

CHANGE OF CONFEREES

Speaker pro tempore Carpenter announced the appointment of Reps. Hawkins and Croft to replace Reps. A. Smith and Turner as members of the conference committee on HB 2043, HB 2044, SB 82, SCR 1603.

CHANGE OF REFERENCE

Speaker pro tempore Carpenter announced the withdrawal of HB 2785 from Committee on Appropriations and re-referral to Committee on Health and Human Services.

Also, the withdrawal of SB 328, HB 2100, HB 2157, HB 2369, HB 2695 from Committee on Health and Human Services and re-referral to Committee on Insurance.

Also, the withdrawal of SB 360, HB 2244, HB 2551 from Committee on Insurance and re-referral to Committee on Health and Human Services.

Also, the withdrawal of HCR 5026 from Committee on Federal and State Affairs and re-referral to Committee on Interstate Cooperation.

Also, the withdrawal of HB 2600 from Committee on Health and Human Services and re-referral to Committee on Interstate Cooperation.

On motion of Rep. Croft, the House recessed until 11:00 a.m.

____________________________________

LATE MORNING SESSION

The House met pursuant to recess with Speaker pro tempore Carpenter in the chair.

MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

The Senate announced the appointment of Senators Masterson and Blasi to replace Senator Tyson and Peck as conferees on SB 82, HB 2043, HB 2044.

The Senate accedes to the request of the House for a conference on SCR 1603 and has appointed Senators Masterson, Blasi and Corson as Third conferees on the part of the Senate.

INTRODUCTION OF ORIGINAL MOTIONS

On motion of Rep. Croft, pursuant to subsection (k) of Joint Rule 4 of the Joint Rules of the Senate and House of Representatives, the rules were suspended for the purpose of considering Sub Bill for SB 33.

On motion of Rep. Croft, pursuant to subsection (k) of Joint Rule 4 of the Joint Rules of the Senate and House of Representatives, the rules were suspended for the purpose of considering Sub Bill for HB 2164.

On motion of Rep. Croft, pursuant to subsection (k) of Joint Rule 4 of the Joint Rules of the Senate and House of Representatives, the rules were suspended for the purpose of considering HB 2412.

On motion of Rep. A. Smith,, the conference committee report on Sub Bill for SB 33 was adopted.

On roll call, the vote was: Yeas 122; Nays 1; Present but not voting: 0; Absent or not voting: 2.

Yeas: Amyx, Anderson, Awerkamp, Ballard, Barrett, Bergkamp, Bergquist, Blex, Bloom, Boatman, Bohi, Borjon, Brantley, Paige, Brunk, Bryce, Buehler, Butler, Caiharr, Carlin, Carmichael, B. Carpenter, W. Carpenter, Carr, Chauncey, Collins, Corbet, Croft, Curtis, Delperdang, Droge, Ellis, Esau, Essex, Estes, Fairchild, Featherston, Francis, Gardner, Goddard, Goetz, Haskins, Hawkins, Helgerson, Helwig, Hoffman, Hoheisel, Howe, Howell, Howerton, Hoye, Huebert, Humphries, James, T. Johnson, Kessler, King, Lewis, Long, Martinez, McDonald, McNorton, Melton, Meyer, Minnix, Moser, Mosley, Neelly, Neighbor, Ohaebosim, Oropeza, Osman, Ousley, Pickert, Pishny, Poetter, Poskin, Rahjes, Reavis, Rhiley, Roeser, Roth, Ruiz, S., Sanders, Sappington, Sawyer, Clayton, Schlingensiepen, Schmoe, Schreiber, Schwertfeger, Seiwert, Simmons, Smith, A., Smith, C., Steele, Stiens, Stogsdill, Storm, Sutton, Sweely, Tarwater, Turk, Turner, VanHouden, Vaughn, Waggoner, Ward, Wasinger, Waymaster, Weigel, White, Wikle, Wilborn, Willcott, Williams, K., Williams, L., Wilson, Winn, Wolf, Woodard, Xu.

Nays: Proctor.

Present but not voting: None.

Absent or not voting: Alcala, Ruiz, L..

EXPLANATION OF VOTE

Mr. Speaker: I vote yes for CCR on Senate Bill 33 to allow my district the authority to place befor the voters a sales tax critical to updating and repairing our 911 emergency services. – Timothy Johnson

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT

MR. SPEAKER and MR. PRESIDENT: Your committee on conference on Senate amendments to HB 2164 submits the following report:

The House accedes to all Senate amendments to the bill, and your committee on conference further agrees to amend the bill as printed as Senate Substitute for House Bill No. 2164, as follows:

On page 1, by striking all in lines 8 through 36;

By striking all on pages 2 through 6;

On page 7, by striking all in lines 1 through 34; following line 34 by inserting:

"New Section 1. (a) Beginning in school year 2027-2028, and each school year thereafter, no school that participates in a food service program, school lunch program or school breakfast program shall serve as part of a reimbursable meal or a free or reduced-price meal any food that contains the following food additives:

(1) Brominated vegetable oil, BVO;

(2) potassium bromate;

(3) propylparaben;

(4) azodicarbonamide;

(5) titanium dioxide;

(6) FD&C red 3;

(7) FD&C red 40;

(8) FD&C yellow 5;

(9) FD&C yellow 6;

(10) FD&C blue 1;

(11) FD&C blue 2; or

(12) FD&C green 3.

(b) (1) During the inspection required by K.S.A. 65-688, and amendments thereto, of a school facility, the school shall certify that such facility does not serve food that contains any food additive listed in subsection (a) as part of a reimbursable meal or a free or reduced-price meal.

(2) Beginning in school year 2028-2029, and each school year thereafter:

(A) If a school cannot certify that a school facility meets the requirements of subsection (a), such school shall submit a corrective action plan to the secretary within 30 days of such inspection. The school shall post the official notice of the violation and the corrective action plan on the school's website for one year from the date of the inspection or an order from the secretary pursuant to this act, whichever is later; and

(B) if a school incorrectly certifies that a school facility meets the requirements of subsection (a), then such school shall comply with the requirements of subparagraph (A) and notify the parent or guardian of each student enrolled in and attending such school of the violation.

(3) For purposes of making the certification required by paragraph (1), a school may reasonably rely on written representations, labels, specifications or certifications from a food manufacturer or supplier that the food does not contain any food additive listed in subsection (a). Such reliance shall be deemed sufficient to establish compliance for certification purposes unless the school has actual knowledge that such representation is false or misleading.

(c) As used in this section:

(1) "Food service program" means the same as defined in K.S.A. 72-17,132, and amendments thereto.

(2) "School" means each school district and nonpublic school in the state that offers any of the grades kindergarten through 12.

(3) "School breakfast program" means the same as defined in K.S.A. 72-17,145, and amendments thereto.

(4) "School lunch program" means the same as defined in K.S.A. 72-17,132, and amendments thereto.

(d) This section shall be a part of and supplemental to the Kansas food, drug and cosmetic act.

New Sec. 2. (a) Beginning in school year 2027-2028, for each school day that exceeds five hours in duration, each school district shall provide a minimum of 30 minutes of daily organized recess within the school day for all students in elementary grades as designated by the school district, except that elementary grades shall not include any grade higher than grade five. Any such recess may be supervised by licensed or unlicensed school personnel.

(b) Recess shall not be limited or withheld for disciplinary reasons unless such student is an immediate threat to self or others.

(c)  As used in this section,"recess" means the regularly scheduled time during the school day when students may engage in supervised unstructured play, physical activity or social interaction with other students. "Recess" does not include time in physical education class.

New Sec. 3. (a) The state board of education shall establish a Kansas state physical fitness test that is aligned with the presidential physical fitness test to assess the overall fitness of students in grades one through 12 after the standards for the presidential physical fitness test are published. The state board shall update the test as often as required to maintain alignment with the presidential physical fitness test. The state board shall provide an award for students who meet or exceed the state's 50^th percentile and an award for students who meet or exceed the state's 85^th percentile on one or more test events.

(b) Beginning in school year 2026-2027, each school district shall annually administer the Kansas state physical fitness test to each student enrolled in grades one through 12. This requirement shall not apply to any student who is a child with a disability, as defined in K.S.A. 72-3404, and amendments thereto, or has a medical exemption as determined by a licensed physician.

Sec. 4. On and after July 1, 2027, K.S.A. 72-3115 is hereby amended to read as follows: 72-3115. (a) Subject to the other provisions of this section, a school term during which public school shall be maintained in each school year by each school district organized under the laws of this state shall consist of not less than 186 school days for pupils students attending kindergarten or any of the grades one through 11 and not less than 181 school days for pupils students attending grade 12.

(b) Subject to a policy developed and adopted by the board of any school district, the board may provide for a school term consisting of school hours. A school term provided for in a policy adopted under this subsection shall consist of: (1) For pupils students attending kindergarten, not less than 465 school hours in each school year; and (2) for pupils students attending any of the grades one through 11, not less than 1,116 school hours in each school year; and (3) for pupils students attending grade 12, not less than 1,086 school hours in each school year. Each board of education which that develops and adopts a policy providing for a school term in accordance with this subsection shall notify the state board of education thereof on or before September 15 in each school year for which the policy is to be in effect.

(c) Subject to a plan developed and adopted by the board of any school district, the board may schedule the school days required for a school term provided for under subsection (a), or the school hours required for a school term provided for in a policy adopted under subsection (b), on a trimestral or quarterly basis. Each board of education which that develops and adopts a plan providing for the scheduling of the school days or school hours of the school term on a trimestral or quarterly basis shall submit the plan to the state board of education for approval prior to implementation. The plan shall be prepared in such form and manner as the state board shall require requires and shall be submitted at a time or times to be determined and specified by the state board.

(d) Subject to a policy developed and adopted by the board of any district as an adjunct to the district's disciplinary policy or as a part of the district's school improvement plan, the board may schedule school days in addition to the school days scheduled for a school term provided for under subsection (a), or school hours in addition to the school hours scheduled for a school term provided for in a policy adopted under subsection (b), or both such additional school days and school hours for pupils students who are in need of remedial education or who are subject to disciplinary measures imposed under the district's disciplinary policy. Any school day or school hour scheduled for a pupil student under a policy adopted under this subsection may be scheduled on weekends, before or after regular school hours, and during the summer months. Inexcusable absence from school on any school day or during any school hour by any pupil student for whom additional school days or school hours have been scheduled under a policy adopted under this subsection shall be counted as an inexcusable absence from school for the purposes of K.S.A. 72-3121, and amendments thereto.

(e) If the board of any school district, or its designee, shall determine that inclement weather will cause hazardous driving conditions, the board, or its designee, may close any or all of the schools within the district. The amount of time pupils students have been in attendance when such determination is made shall be considered a school day of a school term or shall be considered the number of school hours for pupils students to be in attendance at school in a day, whichever is applicable. Consonant with the other provisions of this section, a board may schedule any number of days or hours in excess of the regularly scheduled school days or school hours which that the board determines will be necessary to compensate for those school days or school hours that schools of the district will remain closed during the school term due to hazardous driving conditions. If the number of days or hours schools remain closed due to hazardous driving conditions exceeds the number of days or hours scheduled by the board to compensate for such school days or school hours, the excess number of days or hours, not to exceed whichever is the lesser of: (1) The number of compensatory days or hours scheduled by the board; or (2) five days or the number of school hours regularly scheduled in five days, that schools remain closed due to such conditions shall be considered school days or school hours.

(f) The state board of education may waive the requirements of law relating to the duration of the school term upon application for such a waiver by a school district pursuant to subsection (e). Such waiver may be granted by the state board of education upon: (1) Certification by a board that, due to the persistence of inclement weather, hazardous driving conditions have existed in the school district for an inordinate period of time; and (2) a determination by the state board that the school district cannot reasonably adjust its schedule to comply with statutory requirements. Such waiver shall not exempt a school district from providing a school offering for each pupil which student that is substantially equivalent to that required by law.

(g) Time reserved for parent-teacher conferences for discussions on the progress of pupils students may be considered part of the school term.

(h) Time reserved for staff development or inservice training programs for the purpose of improving staff skills, developing competency in new or highly specialized fields, improving instructional techniques, or curriculum planning and study may be considered part of the school term for an aggregate amount of time equal to the amount of time in excess of the school term which is scheduled by a board of education for similar activities.

(i) The time provided for organized recess not to exceed one hour per school day shall be considered part of the school term.

(j) Boards of education may employ noncertificated personnel to supervise pupils students for noninstructional activities.";

Also on page 7, in line 35, before "K.S.A." by inserting "On and after July 1, 2027,"; also in line 35, by striking "22-4901 and 22-4902 are" and inserting "72-3115 is";

And by renumbering sections accordingly;

On page 1, in the title, in line 1, by striking all after "concerning"; by striking all in lines 2 and 3; in line 4, by striking all before the semicolon and inserting "education; relating to elementary and secondary schools; prohibiting certain additives in food provided by schools as part of certain food programs; requiring schools to certify that school facilities do not serve food that contains such food additives; requiring school districts to provide a certain amount of daily recess time for students; prohibiting limiting or withholding recess for disciplinary reasons; requiring the establishment and administration of a Kansas state fitness test; designating up to one hour of recess time as part of the school term"; also in line 4, by striking "22-4901 and 22-4902" and inserting "72-3115"; in line 5, by striking "sections" and inserting "section";

And your committee on conference recommends the adoption of this report.

Renee Erickson

Adam Thomas

Dinah Sykes

Conferees on part of Senate

Susan Estes

Kyle McNorton

Jerry Stogsdill

Conferees on part of House

The motion of Rep. Estes to adopt the conference committee report on Sub Bill for HB 2164 did not prevail. The bill was killed.

On roll call, the vote was: Yeas 40; Nays 83; Present but not voting: 0; Absent or not voting: 2.

Yeas: Anderson, Awerkamp, Barrett, Bergquist, Bohi, Brantley, Buehler, Caiharr, B. Carpenter, W. Carpenter, Corbet, Croft, Ellis, Esau, Essex, Estes, Fairchild, Goetz, Hawkins, Hoheisel, Howe, Howerton, Huebert, Humphries, James, Kessler, Pickert, Proctor, Sappington, Schmoe, Smith, C., Steele, Storm, Sutton, Sweely, Turk, Wasinger, Williams, L., Wilson, Wolf.

Nays: Amyx, Ballard, Bergkamp, Blex, Bloom, Boatman, Borjon, Paige, Brunk, Bryce, Butler, Carlin, Carmichael, Carr, Chauncey, Collins, Curtis, Delperdang, Droge, Featherston, Francis, Gardner, Goddard, Haskins, Helgerson, Helwig, Hoffman, Howell, Hoye, T. Johnson, King, Lewis, Long, Martinez, McDonald, McNorton, Melton, Meyer, Minnix, Moser, Mosley, Neelly, Neighbor, Ohaebosim, Oropeza, Osman, Ousley, Pishny, Poetter, Poskin, Rahjes, Reavis, Rhiley, Roeser, Roth, Ruiz, S., Sanders, Sawyer, Clayton, Schlingensiepen, Schreiber, Schwertfeger, Seiwert, Simmons, Smith, A., Stiens, Stogsdill, Tarwater, Turner, VanHouden, Vaughn, Waggoner, Ward, Waymaster, Weigel, White, Wikle, Wilborn, Willcott, Williams, K., Winn, Woodard, Xu.

Present but not voting: None.

Absent or not voting: Alcala, Ruiz, L..

On motion of Rep. Estes, the conference committee report on HB 2412 was adopted.

On roll call, the vote was: Yeas 80; Nays 43; Present but not voting: 0; Absent or not voting: 2.

Yeas: Anderson, Awerkamp, Barrett, Bergkamp, Bergquist, Blex, Bloom, Bohi, Brantley, Brunk, Bryce, Buehler, Caiharr, B. Carpenter, W. Carpenter, Chauncey, Corbet, Croft, Delperdang, Droge, Ellis, Esau, Essex, Estes, Fairchild, Francis, Gardner, Goddard, Goetz, Hawkins, Helwig, Hoffman, Hoheisel, Howe, Howell, Howerton, Huebert, Humphries, James, T. Johnson, Kessler, King, Lewis, Long, McNorton, Moser, Neelly, Pickert, Pishny, Poetter, Proctor, Rahjes, Reavis, Rhiley, Roth, Sanders, Sappington, Schmoe, Schwertfeger, Seiwert, Smith, A., Smith, C., Steele, Stiens, Storm, Sutton, Sweely, Tarwater, Turk, Turner, VanHouden, Waggoner, Ward, Wasinger, Waymaster, Wilborn, Williams, K., Williams, L., Wilson, Wolf.

Nays: Amyx, Ballard, Boatman, Borjon, Paige, Butler, Carlin, Carmichael, Carr, Collins, Curtis, Featherston, Haskins, Helgerson, Hoye, Martinez, McDonald, Melton, Meyer, Minnix, Mosley, Neighbor, Ohaebosim, Oropeza, Osman, Ousley, Poskin, Roeser, Ruiz, S., Sawyer, Clayton, Schlingensiepen, Schreiber, Simmons, Stogsdill, Vaughn, Weigel, White, Wikle, Willcott, Winn, Woodard, Xu.

Present but not voting: None.

Absent or not voting: Alcala, Ruiz, L..

On motion of Rep. Croft, the House recessed until 1:15 p.m.

______________________________

EARLY AFTERNOON SESSION

The House met pursuant to recess with Speaker pro tempore Carpenter in the chair.

CONSIDERATION OF VETO

On motion of Rep. Rep. Bohi the House proceeded to reconsider HB 2603 AN ACT prohibiting regulation of battery-charged security fences by municipalities..

The Governor's objection to HB 2603 having been read (HJ pg. 3129) question being shall the bill be passed not withstanding the Governor's veto?

On roll call, the vote was: Passed

A two-thirds majority of the members elected to the House having voted in favor of the bill over the Governor's veto, the motion did prevail, the bill did pass.

On roll call, the vote was: Yeas 85; Nays 38; Present but not voting: 0; Absent or not voting: 2.

Yeas: Anderson, Awerkamp, Barrett, Bergkamp, Bergquist, Blex, Bloom, Bohi, Borjon, Brantley, Brunk, Bryce, Buehler, Butler, Caiharr, B. Carpenter, W. Carpenter, Chauncey, Collins, Corbet, Croft, Delperdang, Droge, Ellis, Esau, Essex, Estes, Fairchild, Francis, Gardner, Goddard, Goetz, Hawkins, Helwig, Hoffman, Hoheisel, Howe, Howell, Howerton, Huebert, Humphries, James, T. Johnson, Kessler, King, Lewis, Long, McNorton, Minnix, Moser, Neelly, Pickert, Pishny, Proctor, Rahjes, Reavis, Rhiley, Roeser, Roth, Sanders, Sappington, Schmoe, Schreiber, Schwertfeger, Seiwert, Smith, C., Steele, Stiens, Storm, Sutton, Sweely, Tarwater, Turk, VanHouden, Waggoner, Ward, Wasinger, Waymaster, White, Wilborn, Willcott, Williams, K., Williams, L., Wilson, Wolf.

Nays: Amyx, Ballard, Boatman, Paige, Carlin, Carmichael, Carr, Curtis, Featherston, Haskins, Helgerson, Hoye, Martinez, McDonald, Melton, Meyer, Mosley, Neighbor, Ohaebosim, Oropeza, Osman, Ousley, Poetter, Poskin, Ruiz, S., Sawyer, Clayton, Schlingensiepen, Simmons, Smith, A., Stogsdill, Turner, Vaughn, Weigel, Wikle, Winn, Woodard, Xu.

Present but not voting: None.

Absent or not voting: Alcala, Ruiz, L..

CONSIDERATION OF VETO

On motion of Rep. Rep. Ward the House proceeded to reconsider HB 2719 AN ACT concerning administrative rules and regulations; relating to the rules and regulations filing act; providing exceptions for technical amendments; creating a process for certain rules and regulations to receive priority status in the adoption process; removing references to the revival of rules and regulations; clarifying that the department of the budget is not required to approve proposed rules and regulations that are otherwise mandated by federal law; adding references to department of corrections rules and regulations that are not subject to the act; requiring an agency to submit a proposed rule and regulation to the joint committee on administrative rules and regulations prior to presentation of a bill to the legislature for ratification and resubmit a rule and regulation to the committee if ratified; amending K.S.A. 75-3504, 77-419 and 77-437 and K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 77-415, 77-416, 77-420, 77-421 and 77-441 and repealing the existing sections; also repealing K.S.A. 77-418..

The Governor's objection to HB 2719 having been read (HJ pg, 3129) question being shall the bill be passed not withstanding the Governor's veto?

On roll call, the vote was: Passed

A two-thirds majority of the members elected to the House having voted in favor of the bill over the Governor's veto, the motion did prevail, the bill did pass.

On roll call, the vote was: Yeas 89; Nays 34; Present but not voting: 0; Absent or not voting: 2.

Yeas: Anderson, Awerkamp, Barrett, Bergkamp, Bergquist, Blex, Bloom, Bohi, Borjon, Brantley, Brunk, Bryce, Buehler, Butler, Caiharr, B. Carpenter, W. Carpenter, Chauncey, Collins, Corbet, Croft, Delperdang, Droge, Ellis, Esau, Essex, Estes, Fairchild, Francis, Gardner, Goddard, Goetz, Hawkins, Helwig, Hoffman, Hoheisel, Howe, Howell, Howerton, Huebert, Humphries, James, T. Johnson, Kessler, King, Lewis, Long, McNorton, Minnix, Moser, Neelly, Pickert, Pishny, Poetter, Proctor, Rahjes, Reavis, Rhiley, Roeser, Roth, Sanders, Sappington, Sawyer, Schmoe, Schreiber, Schwertfeger, Seiwert, Smith, A., Smith, C., Steele, Stiens, Storm, Sutton, Sweely, Tarwater, Turk, Turner, VanHouden, Waggoner, Ward, Wasinger, Waymaster, White, Wilborn, Willcott, Williams, K., Williams, L., Wilson, Wolf.

Nays: Amyx, Ballard, Boatman, Paige, Carlin, Carmichael, Carr, Curtis, Featherston, Haskins, Helgerson, Hoye, Martinez, McDonald, Melton, Meyer, Mosley, Neighbor, Ohaebosim, Oropeza, Osman, Ousley, Poskin, Ruiz, S., Clayton, Schlingensiepen, Simmons, Stogsdill, Vaughn, Weigel, Wikle, Winn, Woodard, Xu.

Present but not voting: None.

Absent or not voting: Alcala, Ruiz, L..

CONSIDERATION OF VETO

On motion of Rep. Rep. Kessler the House proceeded to reconsider HB 2727 AN ACT concerning abortion; relating to the woman's-right-to-know act; providing for the plaintiff to elect to limit recovery in claims brought for violations of such act; making the laws providing for medical malpractice screening panels inapplicable when such election is made; amending K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 65-6708 and repealing the existing section..

The Governor's objection to HB 2727 having been read (HJ pg. 3130) question being shall the bill be passed not withstanding the Governor's veto?

On roll call, the vote was: Passed

A two-thirds majority of the members elected to the House having voted in favor of the bill over the Governor's veto, the motion did prevail, the bill did pass.

On roll call, the vote was: Yeas 87; Nays 36; Present but not voting: 0; Absent or not voting: 2.

Yeas: Anderson, Awerkamp, Barrett, Bergkamp, Bergquist, Blex, Bloom, Bohi, Borjon, Brantley, Brunk, Bryce, Buehler, Butler, Caiharr, B. Carpenter, W. Carpenter, Chauncey, Collins, Corbet, Croft, Delperdang, Droge, Ellis, Esau, Essex, Estes, Fairchild, Francis, Gardner, Goddard, Goetz, Hawkins, Helwig, Hoffman, Hoheisel, Howe, Howell, Howerton, Huebert, Humphries, James, T. Johnson, Kessler, King, Lewis, Long, McNorton, Minnix, Moser, Neelly, Pickert, Pishny, Poetter, Proctor, Rahjes, Reavis, Rhiley, Roeser, Roth, Sanders, Sappington, Schmoe, Schwertfeger, Seiwert, Smith, A., Smith, C., Steele, Stiens, Storm, Sutton, Sweely, Tarwater, Turk, Turner, VanHouden, Waggoner, Ward, Wasinger, Waymaster, White, Wilborn, Willcott, Williams, K., Williams, L., Wilson, Wolf.

Nays: Amyx, Ballard, Boatman, Paige, Carlin, Carmichael, Carr, Curtis, Featherston, Haskins, Helgerson, Hoye, Martinez, McDonald, Melton, Meyer, Mosley, Neighbor, Ohaebosim, Oropeza, Osman, Ousley, Poskin, Ruiz, S., Sawyer, Clayton, Schlingensiepen, Schreiber, Simmons, Stogsdill, Vaughn, Weigel, Wikle, Winn, Woodard, Xu.

Present but not voting: None.

Absent or not voting: Alcala, Ruiz, L..

CONSIDERATION OF VETO

On motion of Rep. Rep. Kessler the House proceeded to reconsider HB 2729 AN ACT concerning abortion; relating to the woman's-right-to-know act; requiring the Kansas department of health and environment to provide certain forms and notices to physicians; amending K.S.A. 65-6709 and K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 65-6716 and repealing the existing sections..

The Governor's objection to HB 2729 having been read (HJ pg. 3130) question being shall the bill be passed not withstanding the Governor's veto?

On roll call, the vote was: Passed

A two-thirds majority of the members elected to the House having voted in favor of the bill over the Governor's veto, the motion did prevail, the bill did pass.

On roll call, the vote was: Yeas 87; Nays 36; Present but not voting: 0; Absent or not voting: 2.

Yeas: Anderson, Awerkamp, Barrett, Bergkamp, Bergquist, Blex, Bloom, Bohi, Borjon, Brantley, Brunk, Bryce, Buehler, Butler, Caiharr, B. Carpenter, W. Carpenter, Chauncey, Collins, Corbet, Croft, Delperdang, Droge, Ellis, Esau, Essex, Estes, Fairchild, Francis, Gardner, Goddard, Goetz, Hawkins, Helwig, Hoffman, Hoheisel, Howe, Howell, Howerton, Huebert, Humphries, James, T. Johnson, Kessler, King, Lewis, Long, McNorton, Minnix, Moser, Neelly, Pickert, Pishny, Poetter, Proctor, Rahjes, Reavis, Rhiley, Roeser, Roth, Sanders, Sappington, Schmoe, Schwertfeger, Seiwert, Smith, A., Smith, C., Steele, Stiens, Storm, Sutton, Sweely, Tarwater, Turk, Turner, VanHouden, Waggoner, Ward, Wasinger, Waymaster, White, Wilborn, Willcott, Williams, K., Williams, L., Wilson, Wolf.

Nays: Amyx, Ballard, Boatman, Paige, Carlin, Carmichael, Carr, Curtis, Featherston, Haskins, Helgerson, Hoye, Martinez, McDonald, Melton, Meyer, Mosley, Neighbor, Ohaebosim, Oropeza, Osman, Ousley, Poskin, Ruiz, S., Sawyer, Clayton, Schlingensiepen, Schreiber, Simmons, Stogsdill, Vaughn, Weigel, Wikle, Winn, Woodard, Xu.

Present but not voting: None.

Absent or not voting: Alcala, Ruiz, L..

CONSIDERATION OF VETO

On motion of Rep. Rep. Lewis the House proceeded to reconsider HB 2329 AN ACT concerning children and minors; changing the name of juvenile crisis intervention centers to juvenile stabilization centers; modifying the intake criteria for such centers; prohibiting certain rules and regulations for such centers; modifying the treatment and services provided by such centers; relating to the revised Kansas juvenile justice code; increasing the cumulative detention limit for juvenile offenders and criminal penalties for juvenile offenders who use a firearm in the commission of an offense or who are repeat offenders; providing for increased placement of juvenile offenders in non-foster home beds in youth residential facilities; requiring the secretary of corrections to pay for the costs associated with such placements between July 1, 2026, and July 1, 2030; requiring the Kansas juvenile justice oversight committee to monitor the impact and effectiveness of such placements; authorizing the secretary to make expenditures from the evidence-based programs account of the state general fund moneys to contract for such beds in youth residential facilities prior to July 1, 2030; transferring moneys from such account of the state general fund to the department for children and families to provide juvenile stabilization services; amending K.S.A. 38-2232, 38-2242, 38-2361, 38-2365, 38-2369, 38-2399, 75-52,161 and 75-7023 and K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 38-2243, 38-2330, 38-2391, 65-536 and 75-52,164 and repealing the existing sections..

The Governor's objection to HB 2329 having been read (HJ pg.3132) question being shall the bill be passed not withstanding the Governor's veto?

On roll call, the vote was: Passed

A two-thirds majority of the members elected to the House having voted in favor of the bill over the Governor's veto, the motion did prevail, the bill did pass.

On roll call, the vote was: Yeas 89; Nays 34; Present but not voting: 0; Absent or not voting: 2.

Yeas: Anderson, Awerkamp, Barrett, Bergkamp, Bergquist, Blex, Bloom, Bohi, Borjon, Brantley, Brunk, Bryce, Buehler, Butler, Caiharr, B. Carpenter, W. Carpenter, Chauncey, Collins, Corbet, Croft, Delperdang, Droge, Ellis, Esau, Essex, Estes, Fairchild, Francis, Gardner, Goddard, Goetz, Hawkins, Helwig, Hoffman, Hoheisel, Howe, Howell, Howerton, Huebert, Humphries, James, T. Johnson, Kessler, King, Lewis, Long, McNorton, Melton, Minnix, Moser, Neelly, Pickert, Pishny, Poetter, Proctor, Rahjes, Reavis, Rhiley, Roeser, Roth, Sanders, Sappington, Schmoe, Schreiber, Schwertfeger, Seiwert, Smith, A., Smith, C., Steele, Stiens, Storm, Sutton, Sweely, Tarwater, Turk, Turner, VanHouden, Waggoner, Ward, Wasinger, Waymaster, White, Wilborn, Willcott, Williams, K., Williams, L., Wilson, Wolf.

Nays: Amyx, Ballard, Boatman, Paige, Carlin, Carmichael, Carr, Curtis, Featherston, Haskins, Helgerson, Hoye, Martinez, McDonald, Meyer, Mosley, Neighbor, Ohaebosim, Oropeza, Osman, Ousley, Poskin, Ruiz, S., Sawyer, Clayton, Schlingensiepen, Simmons, Stogsdill, Vaughn, Weigel, Wikle, Winn, Woodard, Xu.

Present but not voting: None.

Absent or not voting: Alcala, Ruiz, L..

CONSIDERATION OF VETO

On motion of Rep. Rep. James the House proceeded to reconsider HB 2626 AN ACT concerning veterans and military; directing the capitol preservation committee to develop and approve plans for a registry kiosk of Kansas military forces killed in action or who died of wounds sustained during active duty to be placed within the state capitol; relating to veterans benefits; enacting the safeguarding American veteran empowerment (SAVE) act to limit compensation for assisting in veterans benefits matters; establishing the Kansas military affairs commission; prescribing the powers and duties thereof; expanding government employment veteran preference to include current members of the national guard and such members' eligible spouses; expanding permissive preference in private employment to include servicemembers and such members' eligible spouses; amending K.S.A. 73-231 and K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 73-201 and repealing the existing sections..

The Governor's objection to HB 2626 having been read (HJ pg. 3152) question being shall the bill be passed not withstanding the Governor's veto?

On roll call, the vote was: Failed

A two-thirds majority of the members elected to the House not having voted in

favor of the bill over the Governor's veto, the motion did not prevail, the bill did not pass, and the veto was sustained.

On roll call, the vote was: Yeas 81; Nays 42; Present but not voting: 0; Absent or not voting: 2.

Yeas: Anderson, Awerkamp, Barrett, Bergquist, Blex, Bloom, Bohi, Brantley, Brunk, Bryce, Buehler, Butler, Caiharr, B. Carpenter, W. Carpenter, Chauncey, Collins, Corbet, Croft, Droge, Ellis, Esau, Essex, Estes, Fairchild, Francis, Gardner, Goddard, Goetz, Hawkins, Helwig, Hoffman, Hoheisel, Howe, Howell, Howerton, Huebert, Humphries, James, Kessler, King, Lewis, Long, McNorton, Minnix, Moser, Neelly, Pickert, Pishny, Poetter, Proctor, Rahjes, Reavis, Rhiley, Roeser, Roth, Sanders, Sappington, Schmoe, Schwertfeger, Seiwert, Smith, A., Smith, C., Steele, Stiens, Storm, Sutton, Sweely, Tarwater, Turk, VanHouden, Waggoner, Ward, Wasinger, Waymaster, White, Willcott, Williams, K., Williams, L., Wilson, Wolf.

Nays: Amyx, Ballard, Bergkamp, Boatman, Borjon, Paige, Carlin, Carmichael, Carr, Curtis, Delperdang, Featherston, Haskins, Helgerson, Hoye, T. Johnson, Martinez, McDonald, Melton, Meyer, Mosley, Neighbor, Ohaebosim, Oropeza, Osman, Ousley, Poskin, Ruiz, S., Sawyer, Clayton, Schlingensiepen, Schreiber, Simmons, Stogsdill, Turner, Vaughn, Weigel, Wikle, Wilborn, Winn, Woodard, Xu.

Present but not voting: None.

Absent or not voting: Alcala, Ruiz, L..

CONSIDERATION OF VETO

On motion of Rep. Rep. Awerkamp the House proceeded to reconsider S Sub for HB 2004 AN ACT concerning public assistance; requiring the secretary for children and families and the office of inspector general to exchange information and documents related to cash assistance, childcare assistance and food assistance fraud investigations; requiring the secretary for children and families and the secretary of health and environment to execute a memorandum of understanding or other written data-sharing instrument upon written request of the United States department of agriculture or the United States department of health and human services; requiring such secretaries to comply with written data requests from such federal agencies made pursuant to such memorandum of understanding or written data-sharing instrument; amending K.S.A. 39-760 and repealing the existing section..

The Governor's objection to S Sub for HB 2004 having been read (HJ pg.3131) question being shall the bill be passed not withstanding the Governor's veto?

On roll call, the vote was: Passed

A two-thirds majority of the members elected to the House having voted in favor of the bill over the Governor's veto, the motion did prevail, the bill did pass.

On roll call, the vote was: Yeas 85; Nays 38; Present but not voting: 0; Absent or not voting: 2.

Yeas: Anderson, Awerkamp, Barrett, Bergkamp, Bergquist, Blex, Bloom, Bohi, Brantley, Brunk, Bryce, Buehler, Butler, Caiharr, B. Carpenter, W. Carpenter, Chauncey, Collins, Corbet, Croft, Delperdang, Droge, Ellis, Esau, Essex, Estes, Fairchild, Francis, Gardner, Goddard, Goetz, Hawkins, Helwig, Hoffman, Hoheisel, Howe, Howell, Howerton, Huebert, Humphries, James, T. Johnson, Kessler, King, Lewis, Long, McNorton, Minnix, Moser, Neelly, Pickert, Pishny, Poetter, Proctor, Rahjes, Reavis, Rhiley, Roth, Sanders, Sappington, Schmoe, Schwertfeger, Seiwert, Smith, A., Smith, C., Steele, Stiens, Storm, Sutton, Sweely, Tarwater, Turk, Turner, VanHouden, Waggoner, Ward, Wasinger, Waymaster, White, Wilborn, Willcott, Williams, K., Williams, L., Wilson, Wolf.

Nays: Amyx, Ballard, Boatman, Borjon, Paige, Carlin, Carmichael, Carr, Curtis, Featherston, Haskins, Helgerson, Hoye, Martinez, McDonald, Melton, Meyer, Mosley, Neighbor, Ohaebosim, Oropeza, Osman, Ousley, Poskin, Roeser, Ruiz, S., Sawyer, Clayton, Schlingensiepen, Schreiber, Simmons, Stogsdill, Vaughn, Weigel, Wikle, Winn, Woodard, Xu.

Present but not voting: None.

Absent or not voting: Alcala, Ruiz, L..

CONSIDERATION OF VETO

On motion of Rep. Rep. Estes the House proceeded to reconsider HB 2333 AN ACT concerning education; relating to postsecondary educational institutions; enacting the Kansas intellectual rights and knowledge act; providing a civil cause of action and penalties for violations of such act; authorizing students and student associations to exercise political and ideological beliefs, values and missions; amending K.S.A. 60-5311, 60-5312 and 60-5313 and repealing the existing sections..

The Governor's objection to HB 2333 having been read (HJ pg. 3133) question being shall the bill be passed not withstanding the Governor's veto?

On roll call, the vote was: Passed

A two-thirds majority of the members elected to the House having voted in favor of the bill over the Governor's veto, the motion did prevail, the bill did pass.

On roll call, the vote was: Yeas 85; Nays 38; Present but not voting: 0; Absent or not voting: 2.

Yeas: Anderson, Awerkamp, Barrett, Bergkamp, Bergquist, Blex, Bloom, Bohi, Brantley, Brunk, Bryce, Buehler, Butler, Caiharr, B. Carpenter, W. Carpenter, Chauncey, Collins, Corbet, Croft, Delperdang, Droge, Ellis, Esau, Essex, Estes, Fairchild, Francis, Gardner, Goddard, Goetz, Hawkins, Helwig, Hoffman, Hoheisel, Howe, Howell, Howerton, Huebert, Humphries, James, T. Johnson, Kessler, King, Lewis, Long, McNorton, Minnix, Moser, Neelly, Pickert, Pishny, Poetter, Proctor, Rahjes, Reavis, Rhiley, Roth, Sanders, Sappington, Schmoe, Schwertfeger, Seiwert, Smith, A., Smith, C., Steele, Stiens, Storm, Sutton, Sweely, Tarwater, Turk, Turner, VanHouden, Waggoner, Ward, Wasinger, Waymaster, White, Wilborn, Willcott, Williams, K., Williams, L., Wilson, Wolf.

Nays: Amyx, Ballard, Boatman, Borjon, Paige, Carlin, Carmichael, Carr, Curtis, Featherston, Haskins, Helgerson, Hoye, Martinez, McDonald, Melton, Meyer, Mosley, Neighbor, Ohaebosim, Oropeza, Osman, Ousley, Poskin, Roeser, Ruiz, S., Sawyer, Clayton, Schlingensiepen, Schreiber, Simmons, Stogsdill, Vaughn, Weigel, Wikle, Winn, Woodard, Xu.

Present but not voting: None.

Absent or not voting: Alcala, Ruiz, L..

CONSIDERATION OF VETO

On motion of Rep. Rep. Kessler the House proceeded to reconsider S Sub for HB 2372 AN ACT concerning law enforcement; creating the crime of unlawful approach of a first responder and providing penalties therefor; requiring traffic laws that apply to local and state law enforcement to apply to federal law enforcement; including federal law enforcement in the definitions used in the crime of interference with law enforcement; including buildings owned by the United States in the crime of interference with the conduct of public business in public buildings; including enforcement of federal laws and executive orders in the exceptions from liability in the tort claims act; relating to the enforcement of detainers issued by the United States immigration and customs enforcement by a county sheriff operating a county jail; requiring municipal insurance pools to provide coverage of law enforcement agencies enforcing federal law; requiring the state to pay certain judgments in federal civil actions and provide legal representation by the attorney general; exempting section 287(g) agreements from certain provisions of the interlocal cooperation act; amending K.S.A. 8-1404, 8-2010, 12-2904, 21-5904 and 21-5922 and K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 8-1102 and 75-6104 and repealing the existing sections..

The Governor's objection to S Sub for HB 2372 having been read (HJ pg. 3133) question being shall the bill be passed not withstanding the Governor's veto?

On roll call, the vote was: Passed

A two-thirds majority of the members elected to the House having voted in favor of the bill over the Governor's veto, the motion did prevail, the bill did pass.

On roll call, the vote was: Yeas 85; Nays 38; Present but not voting: 0; Absent or not voting: 2.

Yeas: Anderson, Awerkamp, Barrett, Bergkamp, Bergquist, Blex, Bloom, Borjon, Brantley, Brunk, Bryce, Buehler, Butler, Caiharr, B. Carpenter, W. Carpenter, Chauncey, Corbet, Croft, Delperdang, Droge, Ellis, Esau, Essex, Estes, Francis, Gardner, Goddard, Goetz, Hawkins, Helwig, Hoffman, Hoheisel, Howe, Howell, Howerton, Huebert, Humphries, James, T. Johnson, Kessler, King, Lewis, Long, McNorton, Minnix, Moser, Neelly, Pickert, Pishny, Poetter, Proctor, Rahjes, Reavis, Rhiley, Roeser, Roth, Sanders, Sappington, Schmoe, Schreiber, Schwertfeger, Seiwert, Smith, A., Smith, C., Steele, Stiens, Storm, Sutton, Sweely, Tarwater, Turk, Turner, VanHouden, Waggoner, Ward, Wasinger, Waymaster, White, Wilborn, Willcott, Williams, K., Williams, L., Wilson, Wolf.

Nays: Amyx, Ballard, Boatman, Bohi, Paige, Carlin, Carmichael, Carr, Collins, Curtis, Fairchild, Featherston, Haskins, Helgerson, Hoye, Martinez, McDonald, Melton, Meyer, Mosley, Neighbor, Ohaebosim, Oropeza, Osman, Ousley, Poskin, Ruiz, S., Sawyer, Clayton, Schlingensiepen, Simmons, Stogsdill, Vaughn, Weigel, Wikle, Winn, Woodard, Xu.

Present but not voting: None.

Absent or not voting: Alcala, Ruiz, L..

On motion of Rep. Croft, the House recessed until 3:45 p.m.

______________________________

AFTERNOON SESSION

The House met pursuant to recess with Speaker pro tempore Carpenter in the chair.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

HB 2042, HB 2068, S Sub for HB 2099, Sub HB 2114, HB 2116, HB 2124, HB 2158, HB 2192, Sub HB 2250, Sub HB 2357, HB 2413, HB 2462, HB 2464, HB 2466, HB 2479, HB 2481, HB 2482, HB 2485, HB 2497, S Sub for HB 2501, HB 2507, HB 2509, HB 2518, HB 2533, HB 2534, HB 2560, HB 2573, HB 2590, HB 2591, HB 2596, HB 2601, HB 2613, HB 2615, HB 2647, HB 2653, HB 2700 approved on April 9, 2026.

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

The Senate adopts the Conference Committee report to agree to disagree on HB 2043, and has appointed Senators Masterson, Blasi and Corson as Second conferees on the part of the Senate.

INTRODUCTION OF ORIGINAL MOTIONS

On motion of Rep. Croft, pursuant to subsection (k) of Joint Rule 4 of the Joint Rules of the Senate and House of Representatives, the rules were suspended for the purpose of considering HB 2043.

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT

MR. SPEAKER and MR. PRESIDENT: Your committee on conference on Senate amendments to HB 2043 submits the following report:

Your committee on conference agrees to disagree and recommends that a new conference committee be appointed;

And your committee on conference recommends the adoption of this report.

Ty Masterson

Chase Blasi

Conferees on part of Senate

Daniel Hawkins

Chris Croft

Tom Sawyer

Conferees on part of House

On motion of Rep. Hawkins the conference committee report on HB 2043 to agree to disagree, was adopted.

Speaker pro tempore Carpenter thereupon appointed Reps. Hawkins, Croft and Sawyer as second conferees on the part of the House.

CONSIDERATION OF VETO

On motion of Rep. Rep. Waggoner the House proceeded to reconsider HB 2437 AN ACT concerning elections; relating to voter registration; authorizing the use of additional resources for verifying voter registration records; establishing the SAVE Kansas act; requiring periodic comparisons with the federal systematic alien verification for entitlements (SAVE) database; requiring quarterly reports to the secretary of state of certain information of noncitizens receiving public assistance benefits; imposing restrictions on websites that can accept and transmit voter registration applications; removing individuals disqualified for voting from voter registration records; providing an open records exemption for certain information related to voter registration; amending K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 25-2316c and 25-2324 and repealing the existing sections..

The Governor's objection to HB 2437 having been read (HJ Page 3134) question being shall the bill be passed not withstanding the Governor's veto?

On roll call, the vote was: Passed

A two-thirds majority of the members elected to the House having voted in favor of the bill over the Governor's veto, the motion did prevail, the bill did pass.

On roll call, the vote was: Yeas 84; Nays 39; Present but not voting: 0; Absent or not voting: 2.

Yeas: Anderson, Awerkamp, Barrett, Bergkamp, Bergquist, Blex, Bloom, Brantley, Brunk, Bryce, Buehler, Butler, Caiharr, B. Carpenter, W. Carpenter, Chauncey, Collins, Corbet, Croft, Delperdang, Droge, Ellis, Esau, Essex, Estes, Fairchild, Francis, Gardner, Goddard, Goetz, Hawkins, Helwig, Hoffman, Hoheisel, Howe, Howell, Howerton, Huebert, Humphries, James, T. Johnson, Kessler, King, Lewis, Long, McNorton, Minnix, Moser, Neelly, Pickert, Pishny, Poetter, Proctor, Rahjes, Reavis, Rhiley, Roth, Sanders, Sappington, Schmoe, Schwertfeger, Seiwert, Smith, A., Smith, C., Steele, Stiens, Storm, Sutton, Sweely, Tarwater, Turk, Turner, VanHouden, Waggoner, Ward, Wasinger, Waymaster, White, Wilborn, Willcott, Williams, K., Williams, L., Wilson, Wolf.

Nays: Amyx, Ballard, Boatman, Bohi, Borjon, Paige, Carlin, Carmichael, Carr, Curtis, Featherston, Haskins, Helgerson, Hoye, Martinez, McDonald, Melton, Meyer, Mosley, Neighbor, Ohaebosim, Oropeza, Osman, Ousley, Poskin, Roeser, Ruiz, S., Sawyer, Clayton, Schlingensiepen, Schreiber, Simmons, Stogsdill, Vaughn, Weigel, Wikle, Winn, Woodard, Xu.

Present but not voting: None.

Absent or not voting: Alcala, Ruiz, L..

CONSIDERATION OF VETO

On motion of Rep. Rep. Humphries the House proceeded to reconsider HB 2521 AN ACT concerning the Kansas tort claims act; expanding the act to include child placement agencies that contract with the secretary for children and families between July 1, 2026, and July 1, 2029; amending K.S.A. 75-6102 and repealing the existing section.

The Governor's objection to HB 2521 having been read (HJ Page 3150) question being shall the bill be passed not withstanding the Governor's veto?

On roll call, the vote was: Passed

A two-thirds majority of the members elected to the House having voted in favor of the bill over the Governor's veto, the motion did prevail, the bill did pass.

On roll call, the vote was: Yeas 87; Nays 36; Present but not voting: 0; Absent or not voting: 2.

Yeas: Anderson, Awerkamp, Barrett, Bergkamp, Bergquist, Blex, Bloom, Bohi, Borjon, Brantley, Brunk, Bryce, Buehler, Butler, Caiharr, B. Carpenter, W. Carpenter, Chauncey, Corbet, Croft, Delperdang, Droge, Ellis, Esau, Essex, Estes, Fairchild, Francis, Gardner, Goddard, Goetz, Hawkins, Helwig, Hoffman, Hoheisel, Howe, Howell, Howerton, Huebert, Humphries, James, T. Johnson, Kessler, King, Lewis, Long, McNorton, Minnix, Moser, Neelly, Pickert, Pishny, Poetter, Proctor, Rahjes, Reavis, Rhiley, Roeser, Roth, Sanders, Sappington, Schmoe, Schreiber, Schwertfeger, Seiwert, Smith, A., Smith, C., Steele, Stiens, Storm, Sutton, Sweely, Tarwater, Turk, Turner, VanHouden, Waggoner, Ward, Wasinger, Waymaster, White, Wilborn, Willcott, Williams, K., Williams, L., Wilson, Wolf.

Nays: Amyx, Ballard, Boatman, Paige, Carlin, Carmichael, Carr, Collins, Curtis, Featherston, Haskins, Helgerson, Hoye, Martinez, McDonald, Melton, Meyer, Mosley, Neighbor, Ohaebosim, Oropeza, Osman, Ousley, Poskin, Ruiz, S., Sawyer, Clayton, Schlingensiepen, Simmons, Stogsdill, Vaughn, Weigel, Wikle, Winn, Woodard, Xu.

Present but not voting: None.

Absent or not voting: Alcala, Ruiz, L..

CONSIDERATION OF VETO

On motion of Rep. Rep. Humphries the House proceeded to reconsider HB 2593 AN ACT concerning contingent fee contracts for legal services; relating to contracts entered into for legal services by a political subdivision; requiring an open meeting before a political subdivision may approve such a contract; requiring the attorney general to approve such contract before such contract becomes effective; requiring the attorney general to submit a report to the legislature regarding contracts that are not approved; providing for the expiration of the section..

The Governor's objection to HB 2593 having been read ( HJ Page 3152) question being shall the bill be passed not withstanding the Governor's veto?

On roll call, the vote was: Passed

A two-thirds majority of the members elected to the House having voted in favor of the bill over the Governor's veto, the motion did prevail, the bill did pass.

On roll call, the vote was: Yeas 85; Nays 38; Present but not voting: 0; Absent or not voting: 2.

Yeas: Anderson, Awerkamp, Barrett, Bergkamp, Bergquist, Blex, Bloom, Bohi, Borjon, Brantley, Brunk, Bryce, Buehler, Butler, Caiharr, B. Carpenter, W. Carpenter, Chauncey, Corbet, Croft, Delperdang, Droge, Ellis, Esau, Essex, Estes, Fairchild, Francis, Gardner, Goddard, Goetz, Hawkins, Helwig, Hoffman, Hoheisel, Howe, Howell, Howerton, Huebert, Humphries, James, T. Johnson, Kessler, King, Lewis, Long, McNorton, Minnix, Moser, Neelly, Pickert, Pishny, Poetter, Proctor, Rahjes, Reavis, Rhiley, Roth, Sanders, Sappington, Schmoe, Schwertfeger, Seiwert, Smith, A., Smith, C., Steele, Stiens, Storm, Sutton, Sweely, Tarwater, Turk, Turner, VanHouden, Waggoner, Ward, Wasinger, Waymaster, White, Wilborn, Willcott, Williams, K., Williams, L., Wilson, Wolf.

Nays: Amyx, Ballard, Boatman, Paige, Carlin, Carmichael, Carr, Collins, Curtis, Featherston, Haskins, Helgerson, Hoye, Martinez, McDonald, Melton, Meyer, Mosley, Neighbor, Ohaebosim, Oropeza, Osman, Ousley, Poskin, Roeser, Ruiz, S., Sawyer, Clayton, Schlingensiepen, Schreiber, Simmons, Stogsdill, Vaughn, Weigel, Wikle, Winn, Woodard, Xu.

Present but not voting: None.

Absent or not voting: Alcala, Ruiz, L..

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

Announcing the Senate here with transmits the veto message from the Governor, together with the enrolled copy of SB 30, AN ACT concerning labor and employment; relating to occupational licensing; providing for occupational licensing annual reports by agencies to the joint committee on administrative rules and regulations; requiring that adoption of new occupational licenses and material changes to existing occupational licenses by a state agency be approved by the legislature by ratification., which was received on April 6, 2026 and read on April 9, 2026.

 

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

REGARDING VETO OF SENATE BILL 30

This bill would require updates to existing occupational licenses or new licenses to be reviewed and approved by the legislature. This is another inappropriate power grab inserting legislators without the technical knowledge to appropriately judge. Not only do they lack the required expertise, but this process would simply add bureaucratic red tape and bloated administrative busy work. It is the role of the legislature to solve big problems only it can, not micromanage the state agencies with technical expertise for these professions.

Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto Senate Bill 30.

A motion was made that SB 30 be passed notwithstanding the Governor's veto. By vote of 30 Yeas and 9 Nays, the motion having received the required two-thirds constitutional majority of the members elected or appointed to the Senate, voting in the affirmative, the bill passed.

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

Announcing the Senate here with transmits the veto message from the Governor, together with the enrolled copy of SB 375, AN ACT concerning consumer protection; relating to investments; enacting the proxy advisor transparency act; providing legislative findings and definitions; requiring proxy advisors to make certain disclosures when recommending an action against company management; authorizing the attorney general to investigate and take enforcement actions against violators., which was received on April 6, 2026 and read on April 9, 2026.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR 

REGARDING VETO OF SENATE BILL 375 

The process by which this bill came to my desk was one of political games. A bill of this magnitude needed much further vetting and a full debate in the House. Kansans expect their laws to be considered and written in a thoughtful manner that allow their elected officials in both chambers the opportunity to represent them. Not whatever this process was.

Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto Senate Bill 375.

A motion was made that SB 375 be passed notwithstanding the Governor's veto. By vote of 31 Yeas and 8 Nays, the motion having received the required two-thirds constitutional majority of the members elected or appointed to the Senate, voting in the affirmative, the bill passed.

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

Announcing the Senate here with transmits the veto message from the Governor, together with the enrolled copy of SB 361, AN ACT concerning education; relating to federal tax credits for contributions to scholarship granting organizations; electing to participate in the federal tax credit for individual contributions to scholarship granting organizations., which was received on April 8, 2026 and read on April 9, 2026.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR 

REGARDING VETO OF SENATE BILL 361

 

This new federal program needs to be thoroughly vetted to understand the potential impact on funding for our public schools.  If it is, in essence, just another voucher program designed to re-direct taxpayer dollars to private schools to the detriment of our public schools, Kansans have made clear they don’t want it.  My veto allows time for proper vetting and educated decision-making.

Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto Senate Bill 361.

A motion was made that SB 361 be passed notwithstanding the Governor's veto. By vote of 29 Yeas and 10 Nays, the motion having received the required two-thirds constitutional majority of the members elected or appointed to the Senate, voting in the affirmative, the bill passed.

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

Announcing the Senate here with transmits the veto message from the Governor, together with the enrolled copy of SB 391, AN ACT concerning private rental housing; prohibiting cities and counties from adopting or enforcing any ordinance or resolution that requires landlords to lease housing to tenants receiving financial assistance from or through the housing choice voucher program or any other housing assistance program or that otherwise restricts a landlord's ability to consider the income source of a prospective tenant., which was received on April 8, 2026 and read on April 9, 2026.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

 REGARDING VETO OF SENATE BILL 391

 

At a time when Kansans are facing ever-increasing costs and sky-high rents, the Legislature chose to pass a bill that will make it harder for Kansas renters to find an affordable place to live. This bill also takes away the discretion of local elected officials to formulate housing policy that’s best for their community. I encourage the Legislature to focus on policy that respects the authority of local officials and that makes it easier, not harder, for Kansans to afford basic necessities.

 

Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto Senate Bill 391.

 

A motion was made that SB 391 be passed notwithstanding the Governor's veto. By vote of 31 Yeas and 8 Nays, the motion having received the required two-thirds constitutional majority of the members elected or appointed to the Senate, voting in the affirmative, the bill passed.

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

Announcing the Senate here with transmits the veto message from the Governor, together with the enrolled copy of SB 462, AN ACT concerning civil actions; relating to actions in negligence; prohibiting certain persons from recovering damages in such actions; relating to public nuisance; prohibiting civil actions for certain nuisances; providing that only the attorney general may file claims regarding public nuisances that are not wholly contained in one political subdivision unless the attorney general delegates authorization to one or more political subdivisions of the state to file such claims; requiring special injury for certain public nuisance actions., which was received on April 8, 2026 and read on April 9, 2026.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

REGARDING VETO OF SENATE BILL 462

 

Local elected officials and local government officials are best equipped, and constitutionally and/or statutorily authorized, to deal with issues of local concern. Should they need the assistance of the state Attorney General to resolve an issue, they can call upon him/her. This bill would transfer the underlying authority from the locals to the Attorney General. There is no good reason for this usurpation of power.

 

Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto Senate Bill 462.

A motion was made that SB 462 be passed notwithstanding the Governor's veto. By vote of 30 Yeas and 9 Nays, the motion having received the required two-thirds constitutional majority of the members elected or appointed to the Senate, voting in the affirmative, the bill passed.

CONSIDERATION OF VETO

On motion of Rep. Rep. Williams, L. the House proceeded to reconsider SB 30 AN ACT concerning labor and employment; relating to occupational licensing; providing for occupational licensing annual reports by agencies to the joint committee on administrative rules and regulations; requiring that adoption of new occupational licenses and material changes to existing occupational licenses by a state agency be approved by the legislature by ratification..

The Governor's objection to SB 30 having been read (HJ Page 3200) question being shall the bill be passed not withstanding the Governor's veto?

On roll call, the vote was: Passed

A two-thirds majority of the members elected to the House having voted in favor of the bill over the Governor's veto, the motion did prevail, the bill did pass.

On roll call, the vote was: Yeas 88; Nays 35; Present but not voting: 0; Absent or not voting: 2.

Yeas: Anderson, Awerkamp, Barrett, Bergkamp, Bergquist, Blex, Bloom, Bohi, Borjon, Brantley, Brunk, Bryce, Buehler, Butler, Caiharr, B. Carpenter, W. Carpenter, Chauncey, Collins, Corbet, Croft, Delperdang, Droge, Ellis, Esau, Essex, Estes, Fairchild, Francis, Gardner, Goddard, Goetz, Hawkins, Helwig, Hoffman, Hoheisel, Howe, Howell, Howerton, Huebert, Humphries, James, T. Johnson, Kessler, King, Lewis, Long, McNorton, Minnix, Moser, Neelly, Pickert, Pishny, Poetter, Proctor, Rahjes, Reavis, Rhiley, Roeser, Roth, Sanders, Sappington, Schmoe, Schreiber, Schwertfeger, Seiwert, Smith, A., Smith, C., Steele, Stiens, Storm, Sutton, Sweely, Tarwater, Turk, Turner, VanHouden, Waggoner, Ward, Wasinger, Waymaster, White, Wilborn, Willcott, Williams, K., Williams, L., Wilson, Wolf.

Nays: Amyx, Ballard, Boatman, Paige, Carlin, Carmichael, Carr, Curtis, Featherston, Haskins, Helgerson, Hoye, Martinez, McDonald, Melton, Meyer, Mosley, Neighbor, Ohaebosim, Oropeza, Osman, Ousley, Poskin, Ruiz, S., Sawyer, Clayton, Schlingensiepen, Simmons, Stogsdill, Vaughn, Weigel, Wikle, Winn, Woodard, Xu.

Present but not voting: None.

Absent or not voting: Alcala, Ruiz, L..

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT

MR. PRESIDENT and MR. SPEAKER: Your committee on conference on House amendments to SCR 1603 submits the following report:

The Senate accedes to all House amendments to the concurrent resolution, and your committee on conference further agrees to amend the concurrent resolution as printed with House Committee of the Whole amendments, as follows:

On page 1, in line 26, by striking all after "taxation"; by striking all in lines 27 and 28;

On page 2, in line 1, by striking all before the period; in line 9, after the period by inserting "The legislature may provide for valuation limits for any classes or subclasses of property.";

On page 3, by striking all in lines 6 through 25;

On page 5, in line 31, by striking all after "provide"; by striking all in lines 32 through 42; in line 43, by striking all before the period and inserting "valuation limits for any classes or subclasses of property";

On page 7, by striking all in lines 11 through 13; in line 14, by striking all before the period and inserting "limit by law valuation increases for property"; in line 16, by striking all after "constitution"; by striking all in lines 17 through 19; in line 20, by striking all before the period;

On page 1, in the title, in line 4, by striking all after the stricken material; by striking all in lines 5 through 8; in line 9, by striking all before the period and inserting "providing the legislature the authority to establish valuation limits for any classes or subclasses of property";

And your committee on conference recommends the adoption of this report.

Daniel Hawkins

Chris Croft

Conferees on part of House

Ty Masterson

Chase Blasi

Conferees on part of Senate

The motion of Rep. Hawkins to adopt the conference committee report on SCR 1603 did not prevail. A 2/3 majority of the members elected to the House, having not voted in favor of SCR 1603, the concurrent resolution was killed.

On roll call, the vote was: Yeas 69; Nays 54; Present but not voting: 0; Absent or not voting: 2.

Yeas: Anderson, Awerkamp, Barrett, Bergquist, Blex, Bloom, Bohi, Brantley, Brunk, Bryce, Buehler, Caiharr, B. Carpenter, W. Carpenter, Chauncey, Collins, Corbet, Croft, Delperdang, Droge, Ellis, Esau, Essex, Estes, Fairchild, Francis, Gardner, Goddard, Goetz, Hawkins, Helwig, Howell, Howerton, Huebert, Humphries, James, T. Johnson, Kessler, King, Lewis, Melton, Neelly, Pickert, Poetter, Proctor, Reavis, Rhiley, Sanders, Sappington, Schmoe, Schwertfeger, Seiwert, Steele, Stiens, Storm, Sutton, Sweely, Tarwater, Turk, Turner, VanHouden, Waggoner, Ward, Wasinger, Wilborn, Willcott, Williams, K., Williams, L., Wilson.

Nays: Amyx, Ballard, Bergkamp, Boatman, Borjon, Paige, Butler, Carlin, Carmichael, Carr, Curtis, Featherston, Haskins, Helgerson, Hoffman, Hoheisel, Howe, Hoye, Long, Martinez, McDonald, McNorton, Meyer, Minnix, Moser, Mosley, Neighbor, Ohaebosim, Oropeza, Osman, Ousley, Pishny, Poskin, Rahjes, Roeser, Roth, Ruiz, S., Sawyer, Clayton, Schlingensiepen, Schreiber, Simmons, Smith, A., Smith, C., Stogsdill, Vaughn, Waymaster, Weigel, White, Wikle, Winn, Wolf, Woodard, Xu.

Present but not voting: None.

Absent or not voting: Alcala, Ruiz, L..

INTRODUCTION OF ORIGINAL MOTIONS

Having voted on the prevailing side, pursuant to House Rule 2303, Rep. Hoheisel moved that the House reconsider it's previous action of not adopting the conference committee report for SCR 1603. The motion did not prevail.

CONSIDERATION OF VETO

On motion of Rep. Rep. Hoheisel the House proceeded to reconsider SB 375 AN ACT concerning consumer protection; relating to investments; enacting the proxy advisor transparency act; providing legislative findings and definitions; requiring proxy advisors to make certain disclosures when recommending an action against company management; authorizing the attorney general to investigate and take enforcement actions against violators..

The Governor's objection to SB 375 having been read (HJ pg. 3201) the question being shall the bill be passed not withstanding the Governor's veto?

On roll call, the vote was: Passed

A two-thirds majority of the members elected to the House having voted in favor of the bill over the Governor's veto, the motion did prevail, the bill did pass.

On roll call, the vote was: Yeas 87; Nays 36; Present but not voting: 0; Absent or not voting: 2.

Yeas: Anderson, Awerkamp, Barrett, Bergkamp, Bergquist, Blex, Bloom, Bohi, Borjon, Brantley, Brunk, Bryce, Buehler, Butler, Caiharr, B. Carpenter, W. Carpenter, Chauncey, Collins, Corbet, Croft, Delperdang, Droge, Ellis, Esau, Essex, Estes, Francis, Gardner, Goddard, Goetz, Hawkins, Helwig, Hoffman, Hoheisel, Howe, Howell, Howerton, Huebert, Humphries, James, T. Johnson, Kessler, King, Lewis, Long, McNorton, Minnix, Moser, Neelly, Pickert, Pishny, Poetter, Proctor, Rahjes, Reavis, Rhiley, Roeser, Roth, Sanders, Sappington, Schmoe, Schreiber, Schwertfeger, Seiwert, Smith, A., Smith, C., Steele, Stiens, Storm, Sutton, Sweely, Tarwater, Turk, Turner, VanHouden, Waggoner, Ward, Wasinger, Waymaster, White, Wilborn, Willcott, Williams, K., Williams, L., Wilson, Wolf.

Nays: Amyx, Ballard, Boatman, Paige, Carlin, Carmichael, Carr, Curtis, Fairchild, Featherston, Haskins, Helgerson, Hoye, Martinez, McDonald, Melton, Meyer, Mosley, Neighbor, Ohaebosim, Oropeza, Osman, Ousley, Poskin, Ruiz, S., Sawyer, Clayton, Schlingensiepen, Simmons, Stogsdill, Vaughn, Weigel, Wikle, Winn, Woodard, Xu.

Present but not voting: None.

Absent or not voting: Alcala, Ruiz, L..

On motion of Rep. Croft, the House recessed until 6:45 p.m.

_____________________________

EVENING SESSION

The House met pursuant to recess with Speaker pro tempore Carpenter in the chair.

MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

The Senate announced the appointment of Senator Haley to replace Senator Miller as a conferee on HB 2515

The Senate concurs in House amendments to SB 51, and requests return of the bill.

The Senate announced the appointment of Senators Thompson, Billinger and Faust Goudeau as conferee on HB 2049.

The Senate adopts the Conference Committee report to agree to disagree on HB 2111, and has appointed Senators Peck, Bowser and Francisco as Second conferees on the part of the Senate.

INTRODUCTION OF ORIGINAL MOTIONS

On motion of Rep. Croft, pursuant to subsection (k) of Joint Rule 4 of the Joint Rules of the Senate and House of Representatives, the rules were suspended for the purpose of considering Sub Bill for HB 2111.

On motion of Rep. Rahjes the conference committee report on Sub Bill for HB 2111 to agree to disagree, was adopted.

Speaker pro tempore Carpenter thereupon appointed Reps. Rahjes, Neelly and Featherston as second conferees on the part of the House.

CONSIDERATION OF VETO

On motion of Rep. Rep. Estes the House proceeded to reconsider SB 361 AN ACT concerning education; relating to federal tax credits for contributions to scholarship granting organizations; electing to participate in the federal tax credit for individual contributions to scholarship granting organizations..

The Governor's objection to SB 361 having been read (HJ pg. 3202) the question being shall the bill be passed not withstanding the Governor's veto?

On roll call, the vote was: Passed

A two-thirds majority of the members elected to the House having voted in favor of the bill over the Governor's veto, the motion did prevail, the bill did pass.

On roll call, the vote was: Yeas 85; Nays 38; Present but not voting: 0; Absent or not voting: 2.

Yeas: Anderson, Awerkamp, Barrett, Bergkamp, Bergquist, Blex, Bohi, Borjon, Brantley, Brunk, Bryce, Buehler, Butler, Caiharr, B. Carpenter, W. Carpenter, Chauncey, Corbet, Croft, Delperdang, Droge, Ellis, Esau, Essex, Estes, Fairchild, Francis, Gardner, Goddard, Goetz, Hawkins, Helwig, Hoffman, Hoheisel, Howe, Howell, Howerton, Huebert, Humphries, James, T. Johnson, Kessler, King, Lewis, Long, McNorton, Minnix, Moser, Neelly, Pickert, Pishny, Poetter, Proctor, Rahjes, Reavis, Rhiley, Roeser, Roth, Sanders, Sappington, Schmoe, Schwertfeger, Seiwert, Smith, A., Smith, C., Steele, Stiens, Storm, Sutton, Sweely, Tarwater, Turk, Turner, VanHouden, Waggoner, Ward, Wasinger, Waymaster, White, Wilborn, Willcott, Williams, K., Williams, L., Wilson, Wolf.

Nays: Amyx, Ballard, Bloom, Boatman, Paige, Carlin, Carmichael, Carr, Collins, Curtis, Featherston, Haskins, Helgerson, Hoye, Martinez, McDonald, Melton, Meyer, Mosley, Neighbor, Ohaebosim, Oropeza, Osman, Ousley, Poskin, Ruiz, S., Sawyer, Clayton, Schlingensiepen, Schreiber, Simmons, Stogsdill, Vaughn, Weigel, Wikle, Winn, Woodard, Xu.

Present but not voting: None.

Absent or not voting: Alcala, Ruiz, L..

CONSIDERATION OF VETO

On motion of Rep. Rep. Humphries the House proceeded to reconsider SB 462 AN ACT concerning civil actions; relating to actions in negligence; prohibiting certain persons from recovering damages in such actions; relating to public nuisance; prohibiting civil actions for certain nuisances; providing that only the attorney general may file claims regarding public nuisances that are not wholly contained in one political subdivision unless the attorney general delegates authorization to one or more political subdivisions of the state to file such claims; requiring special injury for certain public nuisance actions..

The Governor's objection to SB 462 having been read (HJ pg. 3202) the question being shall the bill be passed not withstanding the Governor's veto?

On roll call, the vote was: Passed

A two-thirds majority of the members elected to the House having voted in favor of the bill over the Governor's veto, the motion did prevail, the bill did pass.

On roll call, the vote was: Yeas 86; Nays 37; Present but not voting: 0; Absent or not voting: 2.

Yeas: Anderson, Awerkamp, Barrett, Bergkamp, Bergquist, Blex, Bloom, Bohi, Borjon, Brantley, Brunk, Bryce, Buehler, Butler, Caiharr, B. Carpenter, W. Carpenter, Chauncey, Corbet, Croft, Delperdang, Droge, Ellis, Esau, Essex, Estes, Fairchild, Francis, Gardner, Goddard, Goetz, Hawkins, Helwig, Hoffman, Hoheisel, Howe, Howell, Howerton, Huebert, Humphries, James, T. Johnson, Kessler, King, Lewis, Long, McNorton, Minnix, Moser, Neelly, Pickert, Pishny, Poetter, Proctor, Rahjes, Reavis, Rhiley, Roeser, Roth, Sanders, Sappington, Schmoe, Schwertfeger, Seiwert, Smith, A., Smith, C., Steele, Stiens, Storm, Sutton, Sweely, Tarwater, Turk, Turner, VanHouden, Waggoner, Ward, Wasinger, Waymaster, White, Wilborn, Willcott, Williams, K., Williams, L., Wilson, Wolf.

Nays: Amyx, Ballard, Boatman, Paige, Carlin, Carmichael, Carr, Collins, Curtis, Featherston, Haskins, Helgerson, Hoye, Martinez, McDonald, Melton, Meyer, Mosley, Neighbor, Ohaebosim, Oropeza, Osman, Ousley, Poskin, Ruiz, S., Sawyer, Clayton, Schlingensiepen, Schreiber, Simmons, Stogsdill, Vaughn, Weigel, Wikle, Winn, Woodard, Xu.

Present but not voting: None.

Absent or not voting: Alcala, Ruiz, L..

CHANGE OF CONFEREES

Speaker pro tempore Carpenter announced the appointent of Reps. Waymaster, K. Williams, and Ballard to replace Reps. Francis, Essex, and Helgerson as members of the conference committee on HB 2029.

REPORT ON ENGROSSED BILLS

Sub HB 2250, HB 2507, HB 2573, HB 2569 reported correctly engrossed March 27, 2026.

HB 2700 reported correctly re-engrossed March 27, 2026.

HB 2513, Sub HB 2731 reported correctly engrossed March 28, 2026.

HB 2437 reported correctly engrossed March 28, 2026.

HB 2333, HB 2466 reported correctly engrossed March 29, 2026.

HB 2042, HB 2329, HB 2365, HB 2518, HB 2528, HB 2593, HB 2651 reported correctly re-engrossed March 29, 2026.

HB 2413 reported correctly engrossed March 30, 2026.

Sub HB 2346, HB 2479, HB 2596, HB 2739 reported correctly re-engrossed March 30, 2026.

HB 2116, HB 2485, HB 2497, HB 2560, HB 2590, HB 2613, HB 2653 reported correctly engrossed March 31, 2026.

HB 2192, Sub HB 2357, HB 2462, HB 2482, HB 2534, HB 2591reported correctly re-engrossed March 31, 2026.

HB 2068, Sub HB 2114 reported correctly engrossed April 1, 2026.

S Sub for HB 2099, HB 2509, HB 2533, HB 2601 reported correctly re-engrossed April 1, 2026.

REPORT ON ENROLLED BILLS

S Sub for HB 2004, HB 2329, HB 2333, S Sub for HB 2372, S Sub for HB 2402, HB 2437, HB 2513, HB 2521, HB 2528, HB 2569, HB 2587, HB 2593, HB 2626, HB 2651, HB 2652, Sub HB 2731, S Sub for HB 2745 reported correctly enrolled, properly signed and presented to the Governor on March 30, 2026.

HB 2739 reported correctly enrolled, properly signed and presented to the Governor on March 31, 2026.

Sub HB 2018, HB 2042, HB 2068, S Sub for HB 2099, Sub HB 2114, HB 2116, HB 2124, HB 2158, HB 2192, Sub HB 2250, Sub HB 2346, Sub HB 2357, HB 2365, HB 2413, HB 2462, HB 2464, HB 2466, HB 2479, HB 2481, HB 2482, HB 2485, HB 2497, S Sub for HB 2501, HB 2507, HB 2509, HB 2518, HB 2533, HB 2534, HB 2560, HB 2573, HB 2590, HB 2591, HB 2596, HB 2601, HB 2613, HB 2615, HB 2647, HB 2653, HB 2700 reported correctly enrolled, properly signed and presented to the Governor on April 3, 2026.

REPORT ON ENROLLED RESOLUTIONS

HCR 5036, HR 6042, HR 6043, HR 6044, HR 6045, HR 6046 reported correctly enrolled and properly signed on April 9, 2026.

On motion of Rep. Croft, the House adjourned until 9:00 a.m., Friday, April 10, 2026.

JENNY HAUGH, JULIA WERNER, Journal Clerks.

SUSAN W. KANNARR, Chief Clerk.

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