Education Funding Task Force continues work on next school finance formula
Members of the Kansas Legislature’s Education Funding Task Force met April 20-21 at the Statehouse to begin a detailed review of Kansas’ K-12 school finance system, a process that will shape the next generation of how public education is funded in Kansas.
Week 11 Wrap-Up: Conference reports drive final week’s activity
The Legislature concluded its final week of the regular session with activity centered on conference committee reports and final floor action.
Weekly Look Ahead: Legislature enters final week of regular session
The Legislature enters its final scheduled week of the 2026 regular session, shifting fully into the closing phase where remaining work is driven by timing and final agreement.
Week 10 Wrap-Up: Legislature meets Second Chamber deadline
Legislative activity accelerated during the tenth week as lawmakers worked to meet the Second Chamber Consideration deadline, which was on Friday, March 20.
‘Voucher’ bill on its way to Gov. Kelly
House Bill 2468 – also known as the voucher bill – is on its way to Gov. Laura Kelly’s office after the House on Tuesday, March 17, adopted a conference committee’s report with a vote of 76-44.
KNEA, members host second annual Lucky to Have Kansas Public Schools Rally
“When you go to work, you prove that another world is possible. Because every day, you serve each child who walks through your school’s doors,” Ross Allison-Natale told educators, students and public education supporters gathered at the Kansas Statehouse on Tuesday, March 17, for Lucky to Have Kansas Public Schools Rally.
Weekly Look Ahead: Conference season begins as First Adjournment approaches
With the regular session racing toward First Adjournment on March 27, this week marks the conclusion of most regular standing committee work, wrapping up by Tuesday, March 17.
Week 9 Wrap-Up: Floor debates continue as committee work winds down
Legislative activity continued at a steady pace during the ninth week of the 2026 Kansas Legislative Session as lawmakers advanced policy measures on the Senate floor while committees worked through what will likely be the final round of hearings for the 2026 session.
Voucher bill moves to Conference Committee; KNEA to oppose vaccine bill in Friday hearing
The voucher bill is now headed to a Conference Committee after Rep. Susan Estes, R-Wichita, moved Thursday, March 12, for the House to nonconcur with amendments adopted by the Senate.
Statehouse Shorts: Cell phone bill headed to Gov. Kelly’s desk
Several education-related bills saw movement Monday, March 9, and Tuesday, March 10, as the Kansas Legislature begins its descent toward adjournment, now roughly a month away.
Weekly Look Ahead: Rolling into ninth week with hearings, floor debate
The Kansas Legislature enters the ninth week of the 2026 session with committee hearings continuing across both chambers and floor debate beginning to occupy more of the legislative calendar.
Week 8 Wrap-Up: Budget debate, committee hearings continue
Legislative activity continued at a steady pace during the eighth week as committees advanced policy proposals and the Senate devoted extended floor debate to its version of the state budget.
Voucher bill passes out of Senate Ed Committee; Senate passes cell phone bill
The voucher bill – House Bill 2468 – was passed out of the Senate Education Committee on Thursday, March 5.
Kansas Senate narrowly passes budget, cell phone bill takes another turn
After more than seven hours of debate Tuesday, the Kansas Senate narrowly approved its version of the state budget on a 21–19 vote, advancing Senate Bill 315 following discussion that included several amendments related to public education.
Weekly Look Ahead: Eighth week includes budget debate, policy hearings
The Legislature enters its eighth week with committee work continuing across policy and budget issues as floor debate begins to expand.
Week 7 Wrap-Up: Budget and tax measures advance
Week seven included continued committee activity and significant floor debate in both chambers. The Senate advanced a proposed constitutional amendment related to property valuation, while the House passed a substitute state budget bill for fiscal years 2026 through 2028.
House advances new state budget
The Kansas House on Thursday, Feb. 26, approved House Bill 2434, which adds only $10 million in state aid annually to special education.
Senate passes resolution to cap property tax evaluations
In emergency final action on Wednesday, Feb. 25, the Kansas Senate approved a resolution capping annual property valuation increases at 3%.
KNEA testifies in opposition to ‘voucher’ bill
The Kansas National Education Association (KNEA) presented in-person testimony opposing the use of public funds to support private education on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Weekly Look Ahead: Seventh week opens with budget uncertainty
The Kansas Legislature returns this week for the official start of the second half of the 2026 session following a brief halftime break.