Weekly Look Ahead: Seventh week opens with budget uncertainty
By Timothy R. Graham
Director of Government Relations
The Kansas Legislature returns this week for the official start of the second half of the 2026 session following a brief halftime break.
While the calendar does not include a major procedural deadline, activity is beginning to reaccelerate as committees resume hearings and leadership signals possible floor debate.
Schedules remain fluid. Committee agendas may shift, and General Orders calendars are often finalized within hours of debate. Fiscal discussions, including the state budget and tax policy, could shape the tone and pace of the coming week.
Education policy remains active in the Senate Committee on Education, with multiple hearings scheduled, while broader fiscal questions continue to develop in both chambers.
Committee action and bill hearings
KNEA is currently tracking three education-related bills scheduled for hearings this week. Testimony is anticipated on all three measures as committees resume work in the second half of the session. While the pace has eased somewhat coming off the break, committee agendas remain fluid and subject to revision.
TUESDAY, FEB. 24, 2026
House Bill 2468 – Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Participation and Expansion
Summary: HB 2468 elects Kansas to participate in the federal tax credit for individual contributions to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) under Section 25F of the Internal Revenue Code beginning with tax years after Dec. 31, 2026. The bill requires the state treasurer to submit annual information to the U.S. Treasury identifying qualifying Kansas SGOs and prohibits state agencies from adopting rules more stringent than federal requirements.
The measure also increases the statewide cap for the existing Low Income Students Scholarship Program tax credit from $10 million to $20 million beginning in tax year 2026. If credits claimed exceed 75% of the limit, the cap would automatically increase by 25% in the following year, up to $30 million.
Hearing: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026
Room: 144-S
Committee: Senate Committee on Education
Watch live or later: KS Legislature YouTube
KNEA position: Oppose, in-person testimony planned
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 25, 2026
SB 441 – Applied Behavior Analysis Services in School Act
Summary: SB 441 permits students with autism spectrum disorder to receive medically necessary behavioral health services, including applied behavior analysis therapy, from licensed private providers during school hours if requested by a parent. Services would be provided in addition to those required under a student’s individualized education program.
Private providers must meet specified background check and insurance requirements. The bill provides civil immunity to school districts for actions taken by private providers and requires districts to adopt and publicly post a policy implementing the act.
Hearing: 1:30 p.m. Feb. 25, 2026
Room: 144-S
Committee: Senate Committee on Education
Watch live or later: KS Legislature YouTube
KNEA position: To be determined
THURSDAY, FEB. 26, 2026
SB 458 – Statewide Assessment Performance Levels
Summary: SB 458 would revert statewide assessment performance levels and cut scores to those established by the State Board of Education in 2024. Existing accreditation, accountability, reporting and assessment requirements remain in place.
Hearing: 1:30 p.m. Feb. 26, 2026
Room: 144-S
Committee: Senate Committee on Education
Watch live or later: KS Legislature YouTube
KNEA position: Oppose
Anticipated floor action
General Orders calendars are often finalized within 12 to 24 hours of floor debate, and agendas may shift throughout the week. Both chambers continue to signal potential movement on major fiscal legislation, though formal calendars hadn’t yet been finalized at the time of this article’s publication.
The House has indicated that debate on the state budget and tax policy proposals could occur midweek. On the Senate side, timing for budget consideration remains uncertain. As leadership in both chambers evaluates scheduling and floor dynamics, the trajectory of fiscal debate may shape the pace of the remaining session.
KNEA will continue monitoring floor calendars closely and will provide updates as formal debate schedules are announced.
Member engagement
KNEA will host another Ambassador greeting table on Tuesday, Feb. 24, to welcome individuals entering and exiting the Statehouse. These efforts continue to provide visible educator presence as the Legislature resumes work for the second half of the session.
Members can check out upcoming dates for Ambassador greeting tables, as well as sign up to participate here.
Members should remain attentive to potential action alerts related to state budget discussions, including special education funding, should floor debate occur in either chamber this week. As fiscal negotiations evolve, timely member engagement may be necessary.
With HB 2468 scheduled for hearing in the Senate Committee on Education, members are encouraged to stay informed regarding further developments. Should the bill advance, sustained engagement later in the session may prove important.
KNEA will remain actively engaged at the Statehouse as the seventh week unfolds and fiscal debates continue to take shape.
Visit Under The Dome at www.ksutd.org for bill tracking, testimony updates, member resources and more. Be sure to listen to the weekly podcast for analysis; watch for standalone action alerts as needed; and look for Friday’s Wrap-Up and newsletter for a comprehensive recap of activity. Member legislative tools and engagement resources remain available on the site throughout the session.
Timothy R. Graham can be reached by email at timothy.graham@knea.org.