April 3, 2026

2026 Session There were 237 bills introduced in the Senate and 507 in the House.  Most of the bills didn’t get a hearing because there just wasn’t time.  Since this session was compressed, even more than previous years, it was intense.  Over 150 bills were sent to the Governor in the last week of session.  So far, thirty-four of those were signed into law, three vetoed, and one became law without the Governor’s signature.

 Nursing Instructors will only be required to have one degree higher than the students they are teaching.  “Additional or more advanced credentials for faculty shall not be required by the board.”  There is a shortage of healthcare providers, but how will lowering the requirements to be a teacher help?  SB 344 passed 38 to 2.  I voted no.  The Governor let it become law without her signature.

Vetoed Bills so far this year include SB 244, requiring multi use showers, bathrooms, and other such facilities in public buildings be designated for use by only one sex; SB 368, enacting income tax deductions for participants of health care ministries; and HB 2635, an act to protect the ability of private pregnancy centers to provide life-affirming care.  All three vetoes were overridden to become law.  I voted for each override.

Moving or Disposing of Human Remains with the intent to conceal a death or crime is now explicitly a criminal offense as HB 2331 was signed into law.  The original bill addressed unclaimed remains, allowing coroners to authorize burial after three years.  I was able to offer an amendment on the Senate floor to also make it a crime to move or dispose of a body with the intent to conceal a death or crime.  After Senators learned of the tragedy in Linn County, they unanimously supported adding this provision. The bill then went to conference committee, and following negotiations, it passed both chambers before being signed into law.

Vehicle Tags purchased at the County Treasurers office can be cumbersome and time-consuming in some counties.  Most Treasurers have said they do not receive enough of this money to cover their costs, although there are billions collected that goes to fund other aspects of local government.  CCR 325 creates a temporary group tasked with studying problems and recommending an updatedsystem.  The task force report will be due January 2028.  Meantime, a fee that is normally $5, will be allowed for the locals to increase to $10 for the next three years, until a new system can be implemented.  These funds must be used only for vehicle-related staffing, equipment, and operations.  County treasurers will also report back to the legislature on the increase in fees and how the money is being used.  It passed the Senate 33 to 7.  I voted yes as this has been a major issue in some counties and the process could be simplified for all Kansans.  CCR 325 was sent to the Governor.

Chief’s Stadium in Kansas continues to move forward.  There doesn’t appear to be any way to stop it.  Especially after CCR 2466 establishes the Kansas Sports Facilities Authority, an 11-member board to oversee the development and operation of the new stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs.  Most of the members are appointed by the Governor, Senate President, Speaker, Majority and Minority leaders.  It doesn’t give me comfort that the appointees may not have experience in building a multi-billion-dollar facility.  I didn’t vote for the STAR bond bill in 2024 that started this effort and I did not vote to continue it.  If these STAR bonds projects were so helpful, why does Wyandotte have some of the highest property taxes?  Maybe because these developments usually do not pay property taxes and sales tax goes to pay off the bonds for the project – can you say NASCAR?  It will be the same for the Chiefs stadium.

All legislation can be found at www.KSLegislature.gov.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn