Sen. Rick Billinger Newsletter
February 2, 2026
Topeka
Budget work for the 2026-2027 cycle began early this year. The House met a week before this year’s session began to start developing its budget, and the Senate followed by beginning its work on the second day of session. This is the second year that the House and Senate have worked on their own budget/bills and have not waited for the Governor’s budget.
The Senate is using the subcommittees and some of our standing committees to hear agencies budget and requests for enhancements. Our subcommittees have been meeting every day not only during committee time but also early in the morning before session starts, over lunch hours and after our work on the Senate floor.
This week the first week in February we will finish subcommittee work and be ready to build our budget the second week of February. A key challenge this year will be finding ways to reduce the total budget while maintaining core priorities. Throughout the session, I will try to keep you updated on the budget process.
Some of the bills that have been debated on the floor and passed are as follows: Kansas becomes the 20th state to approve the Convention of States. Last session the Senate approved the Convention of States and this year the House passed the resolution calling for a Convention of States under Article 5 of the United States Constitution.
Under Article 5 of the United States Constitution, there are two methods of adopting a constitutional amendment-Congress adopting said amendments by a two-third majority and then being ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures; or a convention of states, which is called when at least thirty-four state legislatures adopt a similar resolution.
Any amendments proposed from said convention would then need to be ratified by at least thirty-eight states to become part of the United States Constitution.
The Kansas Senate has the responsibility of confirming nominees by various state officers, usually the Governor. This week, the Senate cleared twenty-one nominees for various boards and commissions.
Senate Resolution 1615 passed honoring Charlie Kirk, through his work at Turning Point USA. Charlie Kirk showcased his commitment to free speech and civil discourse on college campuses across the country, and it is through his efforts we are now seeing a renewed nationwide commitment to promoting free speech for all.
The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 1615 recognizing Charlie Kirk on his birthday October 14th- as Charlie Kirk Free Speech Day.
I am honored and grateful to represent the 40th Senate District in Kansas.
Please do not hesitate to contact me by email: [email protected] or call me with your questions or concerns. My office number is 785 296-7399 or my cell number is 785 899-4700. If you are in Topeka, stop by my office at 545-S.