March 10, 2026
Topeka
The Kansas House of Representatives worked nine bills on the floor last week. The topics of those bills ranged from regulations of public construction contracts to new reporting requirements under the Kansas Open Records Act.
Detailed below are six of those nine bills worked last week.
· First is House Bill (HB) 2513. This piece of legislation, which is introduced every year, serves to remedy injuries citizens have suffered by the State of Kansas in the previous year, as recommended by the Joint Committee on Special Claims Against the State. HB 2513 was voted out favorably in the House on Wednesday, received by the Senate, and has been referred to the Senate Ways & Means Committee.
· Second is HB 2427. This bill would establish two new fiscal auditors within the legislature, for the purpose of providing greater oversight and more rapid response analysis of state agency spends during the year. HB 2427 was voted out favorably in the House on Wednesday, received by the Senate, and has been referred to the Senate Ways & Means Committee.
· Third is Senate Bill (SB) 299. This legislation would prohibit the Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission from establishing rules to prevent disclosure of nominee names and residential addresses. The bill was voted out favorably by the House on Thursday and will go into conference committee, given it was amended by the House.
· Fourth is House Resolution 6033. This resolution would approve of the new gaming compact negotiated by the State of Kansas and the Wyandotte Tribe of Kansas, which would expand the gambling options offered at the tribe’s gambling facilities. House Resolution 6033 was voted out favorably in the House on Thursday.
· Fifth is HB 2767. This bill would change the name of the Governor’s Military Council into the Kansas Military Affairs Commission, while remaining within the Office of the Governor, and establish the commission’s rules for meetings, votes, membership, and staff requirements. HB 2767 was voted out favorably in the House on Thursday and was received by the Senate on Friday.
· Last is House Substitute for Senate Bill 33. This bill, which was amended in the House Committee on Taxation, would extend the tax apportionment of countywide retailers’ sales tax revenue, that is based on the proportion levied by the county and each city, through the end of calendar year 2027. House Substitute for Senate Bill 33 was voted out favorably in the House on Thursday and will go into conference committee, given it was amended by the House.
COMMITTEE HAPPENINGS
The House Appropriations (HAPP) Committee was busier last week, with meetings held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. During those meetings the committee received five informational briefings, heard two bills, and voted out favorably one of said bills.
On Tuesday HAPP received an update on the progress of America Rescue Plan Act projects, from the Kansas Legislative Research Department, and then heard HB 2781. The update on America Rescue Plan Act projects provided members with key insight on the remaining projects and their funds, as 2026 is the last calendar year said funds can be spent.
Following that, HB 2781 was heard, which grants authority to the State Historical Society to acquire the junior officers’ quarters at Fort Dodge and mandates their maintenance and preservation.
Wednesday witnessed the Kansas Department of Transportation and the Kansas Turnpike Authority provide updates to the committee and the hearing of HB 2788.
The Department of Transportation update relayed to members information on the IKE Transportation Plan, from the current project pipeline to the number of miles of road worked, and everything in between. The Kansas Turnpike Authority informed members on the new toll lane installed on Highway 69 in southern Kansas City and its impact on traffic congestion.
Following that, HB 2788, which establishes an oversight task force for the Kansas Business Enterprise Program, was heard by the committee.
Thursday saw the committee receive presentations from the University of Kansas and Wichita State University, followed by the working of HB 2788.
The University of Kansas presentation informed members of the university’s architecture program and their need to acquire bonding authority for renovations and construction on its campus, to further said architecture program.
Wichita State University’s presentation informed members on the expansion of its National Institute of Aviation Research into Department of Defense contracts and the need for continued state support.
Following that, HB 2788 was worked by the committee, with three amendments added, and then voted out favorably.
BUDGET PROCESS CONTINUED
The Kansas Senate finally voted out their budget bill, SB 315, last week on Wednesday, with a final action count of 21 in favor to 19 against. This close vote followed Tuesday where the Senate, working as a Committee of the Whole, took nearly six hours of debate. During that process on Tuesday, 25 amendments were brought to the floor and only 13 were accepted by the chamber.
When amendments are made to fiscal bills on the floor of either chamber, the Pay-Go Rule applies. This rule prohibits amendments to fiscal bills that create a net increase in spending, and therefore any spending increase an amendment makes must at least have a correspondingly equal decrease in spending detailed elsewhere.
Most of the amendments offered were impacted by this rule, while a minority dealt with non-fiscal matters. With SB 315 finally passed by the Senate, a conference committee will be assigned so that the House and Senate can being conferencing on the budget next week.
It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions. I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.
Contact My Office
Representative Troy L. Waymaster
300 SW 10th Street
Topeka, Kansas 66612 troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov
www.kslegislature.gov
www.troywaymaster.com
785-296-7672
Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, is state representative for the 109th District.