Weekly Look Ahead: ‘Turnaround’ is midpoint of 2026 legislative session
By Timothy R. Graham
Director of Government Relations
The midpoint of the Kansas Legislative Session functions much like the halftime of the year’s work under the dome.
In legislative terms, this midpoint is marked by the “turnaround” deadline, the last day by which most bills must be passed out of their chamber of origin (House or Senate) in order to continue through the lawmaking process. If they do not advance by this deadline, they typically die for the year unless they have been placed in an exempt committee.
Not every bill is bound by the turnaround buzzer. Certain committees are designated as “exempt,” meaning the bills assigned to them are not subject to the standard deadline.
Typically, these include the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, the budget-writing committees that shape the state’s spending plan, as well as Tax and Federal and State Affairs committees in both chambers. Because these committees handle revenue, their work continues beyond turnaround, which means major proposals can still move even after most other bills stall.
So far this session, KNEA is tracking over 250 bills, has submitted testimony on 20 pieces of legislation, and has had about 50 members step into the Statehouse halls to advocate and experience the process firsthand - bringing the voice of Kansas educators directly into the legislative process.
Looking ahead this week, the House chamber is expected to take up the state budget for debate. KNEA doesn’t anticipate the Senate taking up the budget before turnaround - and because Senate Ways and Means is an exempt committee, that timing does not create procedural issues for continued budget work.
By the time this preview reaches most members, the Kansas House will have completed debate on the highly anticipated cell phone policy bill. The current version - House Sub for Senate Bill 281 - has come a long way from the original HB 2421 and SB 302. The substitute bill addresses several of the concerns KNEA raised earlier in the session, and at this stage, KNEA is neutral on the measure.
Another significant vote could come on a motion to override Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of House Substitute for Senate Bill 244. The bill requires individuals to use restrooms, locker rooms and other multi-occupancy private spaces in government buildings based on the sex assigned to them at birth. It includes enforcement provisions and directs state agencies and schools to adopt policies consistent with that definition.
Gov. Kelly vetoed the measure, and legislative leadership has signaled that an override vote is likely. The outcome will depend on whether supporters can maintain the required two-thirds majority in both chambers.
KNEA is also tracking HB 2420, which would require school districts to obtain parental consent before providing certain school-based mental health services to a student. The bill is currently in the House.
Members should expect long days on the floors of both chambers. Several bills sit “below the line” and can be brought up for debate with little notice as leadership works to move legislation before the turnaround deadline.
Among the bills we have testified on or are actively monitoring that could see action:
HB 2489 - An act concerning school districts; relating to drug abuse education programs; requiring school districts to provide fentanyl abuse education programs; mandating school districts to maintain a supply of naloxone in all schools.
SB 381 - An act concerning education; relating to curriculum for social studies; requiring instruction to provide students with an understanding of communist and socialist regimes and ideologies; requiring students to pass an American civics examination in order to graduate with a high school diploma; amending K.S.A. 72-3217 and repealing the existing section.
SB 419 – An act concerning education; relating to postsecondary educational institutions; enacting the Kansas intellectual rights and knowledge act; providing a civil cause of action and penalties for violations; authorizing students and student associations to exercise political and ideological beliefs, values and missions; amending K.S.A. 60-5311, 60-5312 and 60-5313 and repealing the existing sections.
SB 339 – An act concerning education; relating to school districts; requiring school districts to provide a certain amount of daily recess and moderate physical activity time for students; prohibiting limiting or withholding physical activity for disciplinary reasons; requiring the establishment and administration of a Kansas state fitness test; designating required recess time as part of the school term; amending K.S.A. 72-3115 and repealing the existing section.
Halftime does not mean things slow down. It means the strategy shifts. Some bills will fall away this week. Others will advance. A few will reappear in unexpected ways.
KNEA will remain engaged at the Statehouse and keep members informed as the session moves forward. Stay updated at http://www.ksutd.org/.
Timothy R. Graham can be reached by email at timothy.graham@knea.org.