SENATE HAPPENINGS
Senate committees remained active over the past two weeks, holding hearings, refining legislation, and advancing bills to General Orders for full Senate debate and voting. The Ways and Means Committee has also begun reviewing the state budget, with agencies presenting funding requests as lawmakers work to identify priorities and potential savings.
With Turnaround Day on February 19 approaching—the deadline for most bills to pass their chamber of origin—legislative activity continues to increase. Tax relief and the state budget remain top priorities, and additional bill hearings, budget recommendations, and tax policy discussions are expected in the coming weeks. Nearly 500 bills have been introduced in the Senate since the beginning of the 2025–2026 legislative biennium, with several measures already advancing to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
SENATE FLOOR ACTION
SB 244 – Clarifies provisions of the Women’s Bill of Rights by requiring official state documents, including driver’s licenses and birth certificates, to reflect biological sex at birth and establishes guidelines for multiple-occupancy private spaces in government buildings. The bill passed 30–9 and now heads to the Governor. I voted yes.
SB 254 – Prohibits individuals unlawfully present in the United States from receiving certain state or local public benefits. The bill passed 30–9. I voted yes.
CCR 2347 – A comprehensive public-safety measure strengthening penalties for certain theft-related offenses, addressing fraudulent use of gift cards, increasing penalties related to purchasing sexual relations, and creating the crime of unlawful use of a laser pointer directed at law enforcement officers or aircraft. The bill passed 39–0 and now heads to the Governor. I voted yes.
SCR 1615 – Honors the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk for his work promoting free speech and civil discourse on college campuses and recognizes October 14 as Charlie Kirk Free Speech Day. The resolution passed 30–9. I voted yes.
SB 299 – Increases transparency by opening certain records of the Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission to public disclosure while protecting confidential applicant information. The bill passed 38–0. I voted yes.
Sub for SB 66 – Updates filing requirements for Statements of Substantial Interests (SSI) by local officials and requires verbal public disclosure of certain financial interests. The bill passed 36–3. I voted yes.
SB 184 – Modifies provisions within the Kansas Drycleaner Environmental Response Act, including surcharge and penalty adjustments. The bill passed 37–2. I voted yes.
SB 348 – Exempts certain not-for-profit electric public utility subsidiaries of electric cooperatives from portions of Kansas Corporation Commission regulation while preserving customer petition rights. The bill passed 38–0. I voted yes.
HB 2331 – Establishes procedures for the disposition of unclaimed cremated remains, includes provisions related to veterans’ remains, and creates the crime of aggravated criminal desecration. The bill passed 38–0. I voted yes.
SB 327 – Updates meeting requirements for the Robert G. (Bob) Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight. The bill passed 38–0. I voted yes.
SENATE CONFIRMATION
Dwight Keen – Kansas Corporation Commission. Confirmation passed 38–0. I voted yes.
KANSAS DAY AND SENATE DISTRICT 36
January 29, 2026, marked the 165th anniversary of President James Buchanan signing the bill admitting Kansas as the 34th state of the United States. Kansas is named for the Kansa, an Algonquian word referring to the Kaw people. Our state is rich in history, natural beauty, and notable landmarks.
Within Senate District 36, we are fortunate to be home to remarkable historic sites, including the Pony Express Riders Memorial in Marshall County, the Nazareth Motherhouse in Concordia, Rock City near Minneapolis, and the “Home on the Range Cabin” in Smith County—the birthplace of our state song. “Home on the Range” was adopted as the official Kansas state song on June 30, 1947. Kansas also has two official state marches: “The Kansas March” and “Here’s Kansas.”
Our state flag, designed by Hazel Avery of Lincoln County in 1925, features the Great Seal of the State of Kansas and our state motto, “Ad Astra Per Aspera”—“To the Stars Through Difficulties.” In 1961, legislation introduced by Senator Ross Doyen of Concordia added the word “KANSAS” beneath the seal.
VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF KANSAS
A wealth of information about Kansas government services can be found at www.kansas.gov, including business services, tax filing through WebFile, forms available through the Secretary of State, Learning Quest programs through the State Treasurer’s Office, and links to all three branches of state government.
TOLL-FREE LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE
Kansas residents can obtain information about legislation, legislative procedures, public policy issues, and state government services by calling the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-432-3924. Calls are answered by reference librarians at the State Library of Kansas and are kept confidential. Lines are open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Messages for legislators may also be left through the hotline.
Questions may also be emailed to infodesk@ks.gov, or Kansans may chat in real time through the State Library’s Ask-A-Librarian service at kslib.info/ask. Text questions can be sent to 785-256-0733.
Thank you for the honor of serving you!
Senator Elaine Bowers
Kansas State Capitol Building – Room 223-E
300 SW 10th St.
Topeka, KS 66612
elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov
785-296-7389
www.kslegislature.org
www.elainebowers.com