Tim Graham, Government Relations
Week 3 of the 2025 Kansas legislative session is behind us. The legislature has introduced 369 bills. KNEA is tracking 69 of those bills. We’ve testified on seven bills.
Week 3’s activity under the Statehouse dome was challenging for educators and education advocates, to say the least. Committees are moving at an uncommonly fast pace. In addition to the chaos that comes with this speed, the issues discussed in Topeka during Week 3 only added insult to injury. The Legislature heard, debated, and passed a gender-affirming care bill that will be harmful to students and educators. This bill is now “on the Governor’s desk.” They also considered a voucher bill in the Senate Committee on Education. Read more about the Legislature’s actions on these issues below.
The Statehouse used to look more like the people’s house in years past. The halls of the majestic building were regularly packed with people all day, every day, during a typical legislative session. All of that changed after the pandemic and with the technological modernization of the legislative process. Now that advocates, lobbyists, and other Kansans can watch everything from home, the building has felt like a shell of its old self. Week 3 felt a little more like the old days. In addition to the annual Kansas Day celebration, which features a big cake and several renditions of Home on the Range, several groups of advocates filled the Statehouse throughout the week.
One major highlight of the week was the recognition of the Kansas Teacher of the Year winner and finalists. As mentioned below, the House and Senate committees on education held a joint meeting to commemorate the 2025 KTOY team. They were all given a chance to speak about their experiences in teaching during this joint hearing. The group was also recognized before both the full House and Senate in their respective chambers.
KNEA hosted an annual luncheon and discussion with the 2025 KTOY team on Monday, January 27. We thank these educators for everything they do they are all shining examples of excellence in the classroom.
Another highlight of the week was the unveiling of a new mural on the first floor of the Statehouse commemorating Kansas suffragists. The mural, which was unveiled and dedicated on January 29, was created by Manhattan, Kansas, artist Phyllis Pease. The Manhattan Mercury reported back in August that Pease worked six hours a day on the mural since she was selected as the project artist in the fall of 2023. This mural joins a host of other beautiful Statehouse murals and will hang permanently in the east wing of the first floor.
Notable Committee Membership and Activity
The following is a report of the Week 3 activity of the “Big 4” standing legislative committees dealing with education issues.
The House Committee on Education
Meeting Time: 1:30 p.m.
Room: Statehouse, 218-N
Chair: Rep. Susan Estes
Vice Chair: Rep. Kyle McNorton
Ranking Democrat: Rep. Jerry Stogsdill
Activity in the Week of January 20
The committee had a full week of business, including several informational hearings and presentations on various issues. These hearings included a presentation on the KSDE Literacy Plan by Kansas Commissioner of Education Randy Watson. The Kansas Department for Children and Families also joined Deputy Commissioner of Education Frank Harwood for an update on the Foster Care Report Card.
On Wednesday, the committee joined the Senate Committee on Education for a joint presentation on the Kansas Teacher of the Year. The committee wrapped up its week on Thursday with an informational presentation on the Leslie Rudd Foundation and a progress report on financial assistance programs benefiting students.
Watch these committee meetings here.
Learn more about the House Committee on Education here.
The House Committee on Higher Education Budget
Meeting Time: 1:30 p.m.
Room: Statehouse, 281-N
Chair: Rep. Steven Howe
Vice Chair: Rep. Clarke Sanders
Ranking Democrat: Rep. Mike Amyx
Activity in the Week of January 20
The committee held several budget hearings impacting the Kansas Board of Regents and all of the regent institutions.
Watch these committee meetings here.
Learn more about the House Higher Education Budget Committee here.
The House Committee on K-12 Education Budget
Meeting Time: 3:30 p.m.
Room: Statehouse, 546-S
Chair: Rep. Jason Goetz
Vice Chair: Rep. Scott Hill
Ranking Democrat: Rep. Valdenia Winn
Activity in the Week of January 20
The committee held several hearings and presentations. The Kansas Legislative Research Department joined the Kansas Department of Education on Monday to present on the fall consensus estimates and how the consensus process impacts the school budget process. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the official hearing for the K-12 budget, which will be included in House Bill 2007, took place.
On Thursday, the committee received a budget presentation from the Kansas Children’s Cabinet. The week wrapped up on Friday around 5:30 p.m. after “working” the budget bill and passing out an initial recommendation. This information is covered in more detail above.
Watch these committee meetings here.
Learn more about the House Committee on K-12 Budget here.
The Senate Education Committee
Meeting Time: 1:30 p.m.
Room: Statehouse, 144-S
Chair: Sen. Renee Erickson
Vice Chair: Sen. Adam Thomas
Ranking Democrat: Sen. Dinah Sykes
Activity in the Week of January 20
The committee hosted a briefing on the Kansas Blueprint for Literacy on Monday. On Tuesday, the committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 75, the first voucher plan to be heard this session. More details on that are provided above. As mentioned before, the House and Senate Education committees met jointly on Wednesday for a presentation on the Kansas Teacher of the Year. The committee wrapped up on Thursday with a confirmation hearing for Kathy Wolfe-Moore, Governor Kelly’s appointee for the Board of Regents.
Watch these committee meetings here.
Learn more about the Senate Education Committee here.
Notable Issue Activity – Week of January 27
The following is a brief update on a few of the issues we are tracking during the 2025 legislative session.
Vouchers
The first voucher debate of the year took place on Tuesday, January 28, with the hearing of Senate Bill 63. This voucher bill is structured as a refundable tax credit for families with dependents enrolled in private schools. Families of dependents enrolled in accredited private schools would receive an $8,000 tax credit, while those with dependents in non-accredited private schools would receive a refundable tax credit of $4,000.
Proponents of the bill argue that it would give low-income families the opportunity to have the “same choice” as all other families in Kansas. However, none of these credits are means-tested to ensure low-income families receive priority. Additionally, data from other states with similar voucher programs show that most recipients were families already enrolled in private schools. It is safe to assume that many of these recipients are not low-income families. Given these facts, it appears that SB 63 is not genuinely targeted toward helping low-income families.
The bill provides up to $125 million in tax credits for the first year and includes an aggressive growth component, allowing the program to expand rapidly.
We testified in opposition to the bill.
The voucher debate will continue this year. As of January 29, four voucher bills have been introduced. Below, you will see that another voucher bill will be heard during the week of February 3.
We will continue to advocate strongly against all voucher bills. I am cautiously optimistic that we can prevent vouchers from passing for at least another year. However, don’t be surprised if we call on members for support in these efforts in the near future.
School/SPED Funding
The House Committee on Higher Education wrapped up its initial work for the 2025 session on Friday, January 31. Their initial work product will be reported to the House Appropriations Committee on Monday, February 3.
As we have noted before, the legislature is in the first year of a new budget process. The Kansas Department of Education submitted budget requests to both the Governor’s Budget Office and the Special Legislative Budget Committee in late summer. Both entities reviewed the requests and made recommendations. The Governor presented her recommendations in the traditional manner, with an official rollout during the first week of the 2025 legislative session. The Special Legislative Budget Committee submitted its recommendations in the form of a report to the entire legislature.
To date, the following figures represent the progression of the K-12 budget:
- Kansas Department of Education Request: $6.8 billion
- Governor Kelly’s Budget Recommendation: $6.7 billion
- House Committee on K-12 Education Budget Recommendation: $6.7 billion
Additionally, the committee recommended $30 million in new funding for special education. Last year, the legislature invested approximately $77 million in new SPED funding, which will remain in the budget this year. This brings the total new SPED funding to over $100 million. While this does not meet the statutory requirement to fund 92% of excess special education costs, it moves us closer to that goal. At this rate, several more years of similar funding levels would be required to fully fund special education at 92%.
We are still very early in the K12 budget process.
Higher Education Funding
The House Committee on Higher Education Budget has been actively holding hearings on the portion of the budget allocated to institutions of higher learning in Kansas. The committee completed its initial work and presented its budget recommendations to the House Appropriations Committee on January 29.
To date, the following figures represent the progression of the higher education budget:
- KBOR Request: $696 million
- Special Legislative Budget Committee Recommendation: $423 million
- Governor Kelly’s Budget Recommendation: $468 million
- House Committee on Higher Education Budget Recommendation: $440 million
The House Committee on Higher Education Budget’s recommendation of $440 million is where we currently stand. This recommendation is included in HB 2007, which is now before the House Appropriations Committee. The bill will be reviewed over the next two weeks before heading to the Senate for the second half of the process.
A considerable concern as this process moves forward is the funding component tied to the Kansas Blueprint for Literacy.
In February 2024, the Kansas Board of Regents adopted the Blueprint for Literacy. Subsequently, the Kansas Legislature passed the Blueprint in SB 438, which was signed into law by the Governor on April 25, 2024. The Blueprint makes literacy a state-level priority, establishes a framework for increasing literacy, and creates a structure to implement and oversee the initiative through the Regents’ new Office of Literacy, the Director of Literacy, and the Literacy Advisory Committee.
KNEA was very deliberate in considering its position on SB 438. We knew that the Kansas Legislature was on a fast track to move forward with a plan to address student literacy.
KNEA’s priority was to build strong relationships with legislators to ensure that our members would have a voice on the Blueprint Advisory Committee. We secured one statutory voting member appointment to the committee and placed several higher education and PreK-12 KNEA members as ad hoc members to serve as voices in the room as the plan continues to be refined. Additionally, we leveraged our goodwill with legislators to ensure that any new requirements for in-service educators regarding the plan would include funding to reimburse educators for tuition, as well as stipends for their time spent completing the training.
The 2025 budget passed by the Kansas Legislature last session included funding for this program. However, as it stands today, the program’s $10 million funding is under careful review for the 2026 budget. The primary issue appears to be centered around the plan’s provision to establish seven learning centers across the state. Some legislators – particularly many of the new members who were not present last year for discussions – seem to favor a scaled-down approach.
This is a complicated process, and it can be frustrating to watch. KNEA will continue advocating for full funding to ensure that educators receive tuition reimbursement and stipends for any new professional development. Our members that serve on Blueprint for Literacy AdvisoryCommittee will continue to serve as your voice in the process.
The higher education budget for fiscal year 2026 is still far from being finalized.
Gender-Affirming Care
Companion bills, Senate Bill 63 and House Bill 207, were both heard on Tuesday, January 28. These bills propose comprehensive bans on gender-affirming care for minors. They include provisions allowing civil lawsuits against healthcare professionals who provide such care. The ban covers surgical, medical, and even social transitioning care.
KNEA Executive Director David Fernkopf submitted written opposition testimony on both pieces of legislation. In addition, KNEA GR worked with multiple members to highlight personal stories illustrating how bills like these harm students, families, and communities.
A special thank you to members Stephanie Johannes, Emerson Hoffzales, and Gabe Padilla for testifying in person. Member Nicole Kamradt was also scheduled to testify but was unable to due to illness. We recognize that many other members likely submitted testimony as well.
These bills closely resemble legislation that Governor Kelly vetoed last year, with the veto being sustained by a narrow margin. However, we are now dealing with new legislators following the 2024 elections, and I am not overly optimistic that this legislature will sustain another veto.
Additionally, at least one other bill specifically targets both the transgender community and educators. This bill appears to be unconstitutional, and while we are uncertain whether it will receive serious consideration, we are closely monitoring it.
KNEA Testimony – Week of January 27
- SB 63 – Gender-Affirming Care
- SB 75 – Vouchers
- HB 2007 – K-12 Education Budget
- HB 2071 – Gender-Affirming Care
On the Radar – Week of February 3
- HB 2007 – K-12 Funding
- HB 2086 – KPERS Tier 3 Reform
- HB 2104 – Standardizing Firearm Safety Programs in Schools (NRA)
- HB 2129 – KPERS Tier 3 Reform
- HB 2136 – Voucher Bill
- SB 87 – Voucher Bill
- SB 19 – Anti-Vaccine Bill
Upcoming Dates and Events
- February 12 – KPERS COLA Day