2026 KANSAS LEGISLATURE CONVENES IN JANUARY
The Kansas Legislature convenes on Monday, January 12th for its 90-day general legislative session. Like last session, legislative leaders plan to run on a 90-calendar day, not 90-legislative day, schedule with a plan to adjourn in early April. This will be the second year in the current legislative biennium, which means bills from the 2025 session carry over for consideration in addition to newly drafted bills. We are also entering an election year for all statewide offices and 125 House seats. This fact generally impacts the duration of the session—legislators will strive for an abbreviated session so they can get to the business of fundraising and campaigning—and the tone and tenor of the issues they consider. In the world of campaign palm cards, mailers and social media posts legislators seeking reelection will look for issues that will differentiate themselves from potential opponents. Also, the majority party legislative leaders often avoid in election year sessions those issues and votes that may be considered controversial in certain vulnerable legislative districts. Striking the balance between pursuing policy goals and not putting colleagues in reelection harm’s way is often the theme in these years. However, this year may be different.
National politics and the balance of power within in the US Congress, led some states to redraw their congressional maps in a way that benefits the party in power in those states. The Trump administration pressured Kansas legislative leaders to return for a special session to draw a new map that would ensure the 3rd Congressional District, currently held by Democrat Sharice Davids, could be won by a Republican. House leaders were unable to collect a supermajority of signatures needed to call a special session. However, leaders have vowed to take a vote on a new map during the 2026 session. Further, there are a handful of legislators seeking statewide office, including Senate President Ty Masterson (R-Andover) for governor and Speaker Dan Hawkins (R-Wichita) for Commissioner of Insurance. They could use their leadership positions to stake out their claim for higher office by pushing certain “red meat” legislation. Johnson County Democrat Senators Ethan Corson and Cindy Holscher are also vying for governor.
Budget cuts will be a main focus in the 2026 session. While state revenues continue to outpace projections and there is a healthy ending balance, there is an anticipated $200 million annual shortfall over the next three years. Legislators began budget work during the interim session looking for ways to make significant cuts. Requests from those looking for a boost in state support will fall on deaf ears. The legislature was able to pass legislation that will cut both individual and corporate income tax rates based upon future revenue receipts. But far and away the issue that hounds them is property taxes. The legislature levies very little property tax as most is controlled by local taxing entities. But, the legislature will again look at a constitutional amendment that generally would place a cap on property taxes.
Beyond the politics of budget cuts and property taxes, we anticipate seeing several other policy debates which will grab the headlines this session. Energy rates, tax credit reform, legal reform and housing and economic development top the list of issues of interest among many in the legislature. Legislators will also be looking at ways to impact policy on the many federal issues impacting states, like public assistance for the needy and rural health care. Additionally, Republican legislative leaders continue to signal that they plan their ongoing pursuit of policies creating more transparency in K-12 public schools and giving parents more choices in where they send their kids to school. Finally, we anticipate legislation to address a court decision related to gender markers on state-issued IDs.
On matters directly impacting agents and brokers and the insurance industry, we expect this session to be relatively quiet. However, KAIA joins the business community in pushing for legal reform measures. We expect there to be renewed efforts to restrict frivolous lawsuits in light of the Kansas Supreme Court decision tossing out caps on non-economic damages. The KAIA also is working to find administrative relief on the cost of requesting motor vehicle records. If these efforts don’t bear fruit, there may be a push to tamp down these rising fees through legislation. There is also interest among legislators and stakeholders in addressing the P&C market for schools, public buildings and the residential markets. Finally, among other items, the Kansas Department of Insurance will renew its efforts to pass legislation creating insurance savings accounts. Legislation introduced last session, which KAIA supported, would allow tax-sheltered accounts to help pay for premiums and deductibles.
Republicans continue to enjoy a supermajority in the House and Senate which provides enough votes to potentially override any veto made by Democrat Governor Laura Kelly—the legislature successfully exercised this override power on some key issues last session. In her lame duck year as governor, Kelly may feel less inclined to reach across the aisle on the many hot-button issues. We’ll soon see how budget woes and election year politics influence the 2026 session.