Weekly Look Ahead: Conference season begins as First Adjournment approaches
Senate adopts conference committee report on ‘voucher’ bill
By Timothy R. Graham
Director of Government Relations
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.
Conference committees will become the primary focus, particularly on major legislation, including budget negotiations. Floor debate is expected to intensify as both chambers work through remaining measures ahead of the deadline.
The Senate on Monday, March 16, adopted the conference committee report on House Bill 2468, also known as the voucher bill. The vote was 27-12.
The bill went 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.
The conference committee agreed to the provisions of HB 2468, as amended by the Senate Committee on Education, with a change to the annual aggregate limit on tax credits allowed under Tax Credit for Low-Income Students Scholarship (TCLISS) from $20 million to $15 million.
The bill now goes to the House for debate.
Committee action and bill hearings
KNEA is currently tracking more than 260 bills, with testimony planned on one bill this week. As standing committees conclude their work, the pace of hearings is expected to wind down quickly while conference committees begin to accelerate.
MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2026
Senate Bill 381
Summary: Requiring instruction to provide students with an understanding of communist and socialist regimes and ideologies and requiring that students pass an American civics examination to graduate with a high school diploma.
Hearing: March 16, 2026
Room: 218-N
Committee: House Committee on Education
Watch: KS Legislature YouTube
KNEA position: Oppose
Anticipated floor action
General Orders and floor calendars are typically set 12 to 24 hours in advance, and schedules may shift. KNEA will keep members informed as relevant legislation moves to the floor.
Other Statehouse developments
The budget conference committee is expected to be a focal point of activity this week as negotiators work toward resolving differences in the state budget.
Meanwhile, Senate Sub. for HB 2299, legislation addressing student cell phone policies in schools, has been sent to Gov. Laura Kelly and is awaiting action.
Member engagement
This week features the annual Lucky to Have Kansas Public Schools Rally and legislative lunch. All 165 legislators and key legislative staff have been invited. More than 100 KNEA members have already indicated they plan to attend, and participation is expected to grow for the rally on Tuesday, March 17.
While temperatures may be a bit chilly, KNEA will provide parking and shuttle service every 30 minutes beginning at 8:50 a.m. from KNEA headquarters, 715 S.W. 10th Ave in Topeka.
KNEA will be present at the Statehouse throughout the week monitoring the fluid schedule as legislative activity continues to accelerate toward First Adjournment.
For updates, visit Under The Dome at www.ksutd.org. Be sure to check the Under The Dome podcast, watch for standalone legislative alerts, and look for Friday’s Wrap-Up in the Under The Dome newsletter. Additional member legislative resources are also available on the site.
Timothy R. Graham can be reached by email at timothy.graham@knea.org.