Week 1 Wrap-Up: Testimony, Gov. Kelly’s proposed budget and rallies

By Ann Marie Bush
KNEA Director of Communications

The first week of the Kansas Legislative Session included Gov. Laura Kelly’s final State of the State address, a hearing on bipartisan legislation banning cell phone usage during the school day, the unveiling of “The People’s Budget” for fiscal year 2027, and two rallies that drew a dozen Kansas National Education Association (KNEA) members to the Statehouse.

Here are just a few of the highlights from week one of the 2026 Kansas Legislative Session:

Senate Bill 302 – Neutral testimony

Timothy R. Graham, KNEA’s Director of Government Relations, testified Thursday, Jan. 15, neutrally before the Senate Committee on Education on Senate Bill 302, which prohibits the use of personal electronic communication devices during instructional time. Key concerns, shared by others offering neutral or opposing testimony, include student privacy, unclear definitions of instructional time, and an implementation timeline that may be challenging for districts.

HB 2034 – KNEA opposes Chaplain Bill

KNEA submitted testimony in opposition to HB 2034, which would authorize school districts to employ chaplains or accept them as volunteers. Twelve individuals or organizations opposed the bill, including KNEA, while testified in support.

Kelly’s FY 2027 budget

Gov. Kelly released her proposed FY 2027 budget on Wednesday, Jan. 14. Highlights include:

• $50.6 million in additional special education state aid.

• $8.6 million to fully fund the Kansas Blueprint for Literacy.

• Full funding for the Kansas Office of Early Childhood in its first operational year.

• $2.5 million to eliminate meal co-pays for 34,400 students eligible for reduced-price lunches.

Rallies draw hundreds

The AFL-CIO Solidarity at the Statehouse rally and the Human Needs are Human Rights rally brought hundreds of Kansans to the Capitol the same day the governor unveiled her budget. At least a dozen KNEA members attended to advocate for labor rights and people-first legislation.

SCR 1616 – KNEA opposes property tax cap amendment

The Senate Committee on Assessment Taxation had a hearing on Senate Concurrent Resolution 1616 on Jan. 14, with KNEA offering written testimony in opposition. SCR 1616 proposes a constitutional amendment to cap property tax evaluations. KNEA is in opposition because it would put a fiscal strain on local units of government and undermine the primary funding source for public schools.

KNEA on Monday, Jan. 12, unveiled its new Under the Dome website, where members can find legislative news, information on what bills KNEA is tracking, information on advocating, podcasts and more. Visit www.ksutd.org.

KNEA will continue monitoring legislative actively closely as the second week of the session begins.

Ann Marie Bush can be reached by email at ann.bush@knea.org.