Legislative Update: Week 1 (January 13–17)

The 2024 elections marked a significant turning point in Kansas politics. Under newly drawn district maps designed to consolidate Republican power, the party emerged with a supermajority in both the House (70%) and Senate (78%). This dominance grants Republicans the ability to override any veto by the Democratic governor without significant bipartisan support. Only five Republican legislators in either chamber would need to join Democrats to block legislation. This unparalleled power raises questions about whether Republicans will use this opportunity for bold reforms or repeat past experiments, such as the controversial Brownback tax policies that led to severe fiscal challenges. 

State of the State Highlights 
Governor Laura Kelly delivered her annual State of the State address, urging lawmakers to focus on the long-term impacts of legislation rather than short-term political wins. Her priorities included: 

• Expanding access to child care. 
• Implementing water conservation efforts to combat the drying of Kansas lands. 
• Avoiding unsustainable tax measures, particularly the Republican proposal to eliminate corporate taxes entirely, which she labeled a “nonstarter.” 

In response, Senate President Ty Masterson signaled Republican priorities, including diverting public funds to private schools and advancing legislation targeting transgender students. 

Voting Rights Bills 
Voting rights became a focal point during the first week, with several impactful bills introduced: 

• SB 4: Proposes eliminating the 3-day grace period for advance ballots, which could significantly restrict the time frame for voters to ensure their ballots are counted. 
• HCR 5004: A constitutional amendment requiring voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, and residents of the voting area in which they seek to vote. This measure could further restrict voter access in Kansas. 

Immigration Bills and Resolution (SCR 1602) 
Senator Mike Thompson held a last-minute hearing on SCR 1602, which encourages Governor Kelly to collaborate with Trump-era deportation policies. Attorney General Kris Kobach testified in favor, citing data from FAIR (Federation for American Immigration Reform), a group widely criticized for its ties to white nationalism. FAIR, co-founded by John Tanton, has been labeled a hate group due to its history of collaboration with Holocaust deniers and its promotion of anti-immigrant ideologies. 
Additionally, HB 2020 was introduced, which would require the Division of Vehicles to submit monthly reports listing names and addresses of certain noncitizens issued driver’s licenses du  

Reproductive Rights 
Despite the Kansas Constitution enshrining the right to bodily autonomy, a group of Kansas Republicans introduced two anti-abortion bills in the House of Representatives: 

• One bill seeks to prohibit all abortions, except when necessary to save the life of the mother. 
• The other proposes making it a criminal offense to perform abortions in Kansas. 

Both bills were referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday. While these measures are largely symbolic, as the Kansas Constitution protects the right to abortion within the first 21 weeks of pregnancy, their introduction signals ongoing attempts to restrict reproductive rights. Similar legislation introduced in previous sessions failed to receive a hearing that month. 

Transparency Under Threat 
House Speaker Daniel Hawkins broke a century-long precedent by banning journalists from the House floor on the first day of the session. This move mirrors Senate President Ty Masterson’s 2022 decision to restrict press access in the Senate. These actions align with a concerning national trend of limiting media access and reducing government transparency. 

Upcoming Legislative Priorities 
Republican leadership is expected to focus on tax cuts, even as recently passed cuts have created budgetary challenges. Other contentious topics likely to dominate the session include: 

• Medical Marijuana: Anticipated debates over legalization and regulation. 
• Medicaid Expansion: Renewed efforts to address healthcare access. 
• Abortion Restrictions: Further attempts to limit reproductive rights. 
• Constitutional Amendments: Proposals to increase partisanship in judicial appointments and make voting more restrictive. 

This session will also be compressed, with plans to conclude by early April instead of May, intensifying the legislative process. 

Coalition Updates 

• Debt Free Justice: Advocates are actively seeking testimonies supporting the elimination of juvenile fines and fees. 
• Cannabis Reform Coalition: Optimism grows around introducing a bill to decriminalize marijuana possession. 
• Reimagine Justice Coalition: This group is mobilizing to address pretrial services, bail reform, and juvenile justice issues. The coalition will continue to host bi-weekly Reimagine Justice calls. For more information, contact Lindsay Callendar. 
• LGBTQ Policy and Protection Coalition: Remains vigilant in opposing discriminatory legislation. 
• Reproductive Rights Coalition: Held multiple meetings and will alert the public about any harmful legislation. 

Hearings Scheduled 

• HB 2020: Scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, at 3:30 PM in House Elections. ACLU Kansas will submit opponent testimony. 
• SB 4: Scheduled for Wednesday, January 22, at 10:30 AM in Senate Federal & State Affairs. ACLU Kansas will submit opponent testimony. 
• SCR 1602: A hearing was held on Wednesday, January 15, at 10:30 AM in Senate Federal & State Affairs.