Weekly Look Ahead: Eighth week includes budget debate, policy hearings
By Timothy R. Graham
Director of Government Relations
The Legislature enters its eighth week with committee work continuing across policy and budget issues as floor debate begins to expand.
Lawmakers are approaching the next major procedural deadline - Friday, March 20, which marks Second Chamber Consideration and the final day for nonexempt bills to be considered by the opposite chamber.
As that deadline nears, committees are working remaining measures while leadership prepares floor calendars. Budget discussions are also moving to the forefront. The Senate has scheduled debate on Senate Bill 315, the Senate budget bill, for Tuesday, March 3, signaling a transition into broader fiscal deliberations alongside ongoing policy hearings and briefings.
Legislative calendars may shift with limited notice as General Orders and debate agendas are finalized. KNEA will remain engaged throughout the week, monitoring hearings, tracking debate and providing updates as activity unfolds.
Committee action and bill hearings
The Kansas National Education Association is currently tracking more than 250 bills this session. Seven measures are scheduled for hearings this week, with testimony planned on five of them. Additional informational briefings and possible committee action on previously heard legislation are expected as the session continues toward the March 20 deadline.
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2026
SB 387 – At-Risk Income Verification and Community Eligibility Authorization
Summary: Requires school districts to verify household gross earned income for students qualifying for free meals under the National School Lunch Program for purposes of at-risk funding under the Kansas School Equity and Enhancement Act. The bill also prohibits districts from seeking or implementing authorization under the federal Community Eligibility Provision without legislative approval beginning July 1, 2026.
Hearing: Monday, March 2
Room: 218-N
Committee: House Committee on Education
Watch later: KS Legislature YouTube
KNEA position: Oppose
SB 491 – Education Inspector General and Misconduct Registry
Summary: Establishes an Office of Education Inspector General within the Office of the Attorney General with authority to audit and investigate school districts and nonpublic schools. The bill creates reporting requirements, an anonymous reporting portal, a public misconduct registry, and civil penalties.
Hearing: Monday, March 2
Room: 144-S
Committee: Senate Committee on Education
Watch later: KS Legislature YouTube
KNEA position: Oppose
HB 2645 – Community College and Technical College Tax Credit Extension
Summary: Extends the income tax credit program for contributions to Kansas community colleges and technical colleges for capital improvements, deferred maintenance, and equipment purchases through tax year 2031.
Hearing: Monday, March 2
Room: 346-S
Committee: House Committee on Taxation
Watch later: KS Legislature YouTube
KNEA position: Monitoring
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2026
SB 350 – Age-Appropriate School Device Act
Summary: Establishes statewide limitations on digital device use in public schools, including restrictions by grade level, device safety standards, parental opt-out provisions, and defined daily usage limits.
Hearing: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3
Room: 144-S
Committee: Senate Committee on Education
Watch live or later: KS Legislature YouTube
KNEA position: Oppose
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2026
SB 437 – Establishing Technical College Funding Task Force
Summary: Establishing the technical college funding task force to design and make recommendations for a pilot outcomes-based funding model for Kansas technical colleges.
Hearing: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 4
Room: 144-S
Committee: Senate Committee on Education
Watch live or later: KS Legislature YouTube
KNEA position: Monitoring
SCR 1616 – Constitutional Amendment on Property Tax Assessment Limits
Summary: Proposes an amendment to Section 1 of Article 11 of the Kansas Constitution to limit assessed value increases for real property and certain residential mobile homes.
Hearing: 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 4
Room: 346-S
Committee: House Committee on Taxation
Watch live or later: KS Legislature YouTube
KNEA position: Oppose
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2026
SB 438 – Community Eligibility Participation Requirement
Summary: Requires boards of education to formally consider participation in the federal Community Eligibility Provision and adopt a resolution either affirming participation or declaring financial hardship in an open meeting.
Hearing: 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5
Room: 144-S
Committee: Senate Committee on Education
Watch live or later: KS Legislature YouTube
KNEA position: Oppose
Anticipated floor action
Floor calendars are often finalized within 12 to 24 hours of debate, and schedules may shift as leadership adjusts to committee movement and procedural deadlines. KNEA Members should expect changes to the General Orders calendar throughout the week.
The Senate has scheduled debate on SB 315, the Senate budget bill, for Tuesday, March 3. Consideration of the budget signals a shift toward broader fiscal deliberations as the March 20 deadline approaches. Additional bills are expected to advance to the floor in both chambers, though final debate lists may not be confirmed until shortly before consideration.
KNEA will monitor floor activity closely and provide updates as debate agendas are finalized.
Other Statehouse developments
The Legislature is expected to address the passing of Rep. John Resman, R-Olathe, who died Monday morning at the age of 70. Resman’s career included years of service in the military and law enforcement. House Republicans were informed of his passing during their caucus meeting Monday morning. Legislative proceedings may pause briefly this week to allow members to attend services.
In addition to scheduled bill hearings, several committees will receive informational briefings. The House Committee on K-12 Education Budget will hear updates on school funding and tax issues from the Kansas Legislative Research Department and receive briefings on innovative assessment pilots and cut scores. The House Committee on Education is scheduled to receive presentations on Kansas Master Teachers, Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSA) classification practices, Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) programming, and school food security. The House Committee on Higher Education Budget will meet on call of the chair.
The Senate Committee on Education will receive informational presentations, including updates related to master teachers and music educators. SB 440 was initially scheduled for hearing Wednesday but was later removed from the agenda. Committees may also take action on bills previously heard as the session moves toward the next major deadline.
Member engagement
Many of our retiree advocates who regularly staff the Retired Ambassador table at the Statehouse are attending the NEA Retired Conference in Phoenix this week. As a result, there will not be a Retired Ambassador table at the Capitol during Week 8.
KNEA members are working alongside Government Relations, Communications, Teaching & Learning and Organizing staff to prepare for the Lucky to Have Kansas Public Schools Rally on Tuesday, March 17. Activities will begin at 9 a.m. at the Kansas Statehouse with poster making, self-guided tours and meetings with legislators. The rally program will begin at noon.
To help alleviate parking concerns downtown, free transportation will be available from the KNEA parking lot, 715 S.W. 10th Ave., to the Statehouse from 8:50 to 11 a.m., with return service from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Members and nonmembers are asked to register in advance at https://bit.ly/3Omjdhi.
Closing
KNEA remains actively engaged at the Statehouse as committees and floor debates continue ahead of the March 20 deadline. Schedules may shift quickly, particularly as floor calendars are finalized within 12 to 24 hours of debate.
Members are encouraged to follow developments throughout the week and review updates as they are posted.
Visit Under The Dome at www.ksutd.org for daily reporting, bill resources and member legislative tools. Be sure to subscribe to the Under The Dome podcast, watch for Action Alerts as needed, and look for Friday’s Wrap-Up in the Under The Dome newsletter.
Timothy R. Graham can be reached by email at timothy.graham@knea.org.