Feb. 26
Topeka
SENATE HIGHLIGHTS
Last Thursday marked “Turnaround,” the key deadline that signals the halfway point of the 2026 Legislative Session. It was a busy week in the Senate, with two full days on the floor debating and voting on legislation.
In total, the Senate passed more than 53 bills ahead of the deadline this week.
Following extended sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Legislature recessed until February 24 to allow staff time to process the significant volume of legislation advanced this week. The long weekend allows legislative staff to “turnaround” the long list of bills and prepare them for consideration in the other chamber.
Under legislative rules, most bills must pass their chamber of origin by Turnaround in order to remain eligible for consideration in the other chamber.
When we return, the focus will shift to reviewing bills passed by the House, along with measures that are exempt from the Turnaround deadline. The Legislature will continue meeting through the end of March before a short recess. We will then return to consider any vetoes prior to final adjournment.
The primary constitutional responsibility remaining this session is passage of the state budget.
The Kansas Legislature operates on a 90-day calendar and is scheduled to adjourn April 11.
Bills Passed by the Senate
Veto Override
SB 244 – Veto overridden; Establishes statutory definitions of sex for purposes of Kansas law and requires certain public documents and multiple-occupancy private spaces in public buildings to be designated based on biological sex at birth. The Legislature overrode the Governor’s veto, and the bill will become law.
Committee schedules, bill text, voting records, and other helpful information are available at www.kslegislature.org. For a more detailed explanation of specific bills, click on “Bills & Laws,” select “Senate Bills,” locate the bill number you are interested in, and then click on “SN” (Supplemental Notes).
These summaries are prepared by the nonpartisan Legislative Research and Revisor staff and provide a clear overview of each measure. The website also allows you to listen to or watch live sessions, as well as review past committee meetings and floor proceedings.
Your engagement in the legislative process is important and always welcome.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions. An email is the best at this point in the session.
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
https://elainebowers.com/
www.kslegislature.org