06 February 2026 | Health Economic Security Tax and Budget Education

2026 Statehouse Snapshot: Week 4

Kansas Action for Children | February 6, 2026

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Murky Legislation

A month into the 2026 legislative session, it’s becoming clearer what lawmakers are focused on this year. What’s less clear is how some of these proposals would affect everyday Kansans if they become law.

Several bills moving through the Legislature right now could have serious, real-world consequences – especially for children, seniors, and families already struggling to get by.

This week, the Senate Committee on Government Efficiency passed out SB 387, which deals with free school meals. Originally, it was a harmful bill that could create difficulty for children accessing the Free and Reduced-Price Lunch Program. Now, it goes much further, affecting how Kansas funds at-risk enhancements in K-12 schools by requiring schools to verify student’s eligibility for free lunch in order for them to count toward the at-risk weighting, which is how schools receive funding for these services.

The committee did not review how this would adjust districts’ total funding or how it would impact students receiving at-risk services. The committee also amended the bill to allow the state to cover the copays for students qualifying for the reduced-price lunch category. While absorbing the cost of reduced-price copays is a positive policy, it does not outweigh the unvetted provisions for at-risk funding or address concerns advocates have with the bill’s original provision of making it much harder schools to opt into the Community Eligibility Provision, which would cover all students’ lunches if 25% of students are already eligible for free meals.

Use our partner Kansas Appleseed’s action alert to tell Senators to vote NO on SB 387 when it hits the Senate floor.

Next week, the Legislature will also consider SB 363, which is likely to have similar unintended consequences as the school meals bill. This legislation goes much further than codifying parts of the federal H.R.1 bill, and eligible Kansans would likely be kicked off of critical assistance for paperwork infractions.

Good governance is grounded in transparency, due diligence, and a clear understanding of how policy decisions affect real people. As the session continues and committees hold more hearings in the coming week, lawmakers should slow down and ensure that Kansans most in need – children, seniors, and families already struggling to make ends meet – aren’t the ones left to bear the consequences of changed rules and added paperwork burdens.

Lawmakers Will Hear Renter Protections

We continue to see interest in legislation that would help address the power imbalance between renters and their landlords, with at least two hearings next week and rumors of more on the horizon. Between the recent focus on housing and the ongoing discussion around property taxes, it seems like lawmakers are acknowledging that Kansans need relief.

A hearing has been scheduled for next week for SB 369. This bill would require landlords to disclose all potential fees upfront, before any money is exchanged. This would help renters better understand their future financial obligations and be able to better determine if the place is within their budget. The bill would also cap the amount of late fees that can be charged, which is necessary because there have been examples of Kansans getting charged more than $20,000 in late fees.

Another renter protection bill, SB 415, will also have a hearing next week. This bill would apply the Kansas Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) to the Kansas Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (KRLTA). The KRLTA was created in 1975 to protect renters, but it has never had the enforcement mechanism it needs to give it teeth. This long overdue change would allow renters to recover damages from unresponsive landlords who allow their renters’ homes to become unhealthy or unsafe.

We will be testifying in favor of both bills, and we’re hopeful that they will continue to move through the process so Kansas renters can get some much-needed relief.

Budget Committees Closer to a Full Proposal

House budget committees and Senate subcommittees completed their work this week, with notable inclusions in a few agency budgets. This includes funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program ($15.0 million in the Senate and $20.0 million in the House), and funding for disability waivers.

Additionally, the newly formed Office of Early Childhood (OEC) had hearings in both budget committees, resulting in the House Committee on Appropriations recommending that the OEC budget match the Governor’s recommendation. The Senate Committee on Ways and Means has yet to make its recommendations on OEC, however.

One notable exclusion from both budget versions is the $12.1 million requested by the Department for Children and Families (DCF) to fund the increased state share of the SNAP program that resulted from new federal requirements. We were optimistic the House would include this funding in their initial recommendation, but that did not come to fruition. It is now up to House Appropriations or Senate Ways and Means to add the funding during their deliberation next week. If they don’t, DCF may have to make some tough choices to keep the SNAP program operating for around 188,000 Kansans who utilize food benefits.

Next week, both primary budget committees will begin deliberating the budget bill in its entirety. This will be a critical time for advocacy, as committee members will have opportunities to add last-minute amendments before the full House and Senate consider the budget plan on the chamber floors.

Bills Getting Kids Wider Access to Health Care

This week, we witnessed forward progress on three different health bills that together indicate that lawmakers are interested and supportive of legislation that will remove barriers for kids accessing time-sensitive health care.

The Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare unanimously passed out SB 328, which would allow schools to stock any FDA-approved epinephrine delivery system. We expect this bill to sail through the Senate with no objections.

The Senate Health Committee also held an informational hearing on SB 271, which would fix an error regarding eligibility for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This is a policy we’ve been working on since 2021, and we’re starting to see some progress toward a permanent solution. We are hopeful the Committee will work the bill and correct the 18-year-and-counting error in state law, guaranteeing all eligible kids will be able to access CHIP coverage.

The Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee held a hearing on SB 330, which would prohibit insurers from requiring advance approval for childbirth and limit insurers from implementing this in management of chronic and long-term conditions. We submitted testimony in support of this legislation, focusing on the harm children face when their health care is delayed or denied. Proponents shared powerful stories of the harm to families’ health when insurance providers have a heavier hand in controlling what must be approved before medical services are provided.

Tax Benefits to Save for Kids' Futures

The Senate Committee on Education is considering SB 304, which would result in state agencies proactively informing new parents about early wealth building accounts, like 529 or 530A accounts.

KAC provided proponent testimony on this legislation, as these accounts offer parents a way to invest in their child’s future that can help them achieve their goals. With all the changes that new parents must navigate, setting aside money for 18 years down the road can seem like a distant priority. Many parents may not even be aware of the options they have, so getting this information into their hands early can make a world of difference.

2026 Early Childhood Day

In just a few weeks, KAC will be hosting 2026 Early Childhood Day at the Statehouse! We’ll be taking over the rotunda with exhibits about early learning environments, early childhood brain development, and experts who can give tips for advocating in the Legislature.

If you’d like to join us on Wednesday, February 25, sign up here!

2025 Kansas County Data

After a nearly two-month delay in data after the federal government shutdown late last fall, our 2025 KIDS COUNT County Fact Sheets are now available on our website. These showcase the latest American Community Survey data relating to how kids are doing in health, economic security, and education. Check out your county to see how kids in your community are doing – and think about what policies could be prompted to better kids’ well-being.

What to Expect in Week 5

Key legislative deadlines are just around the corner, so next week will prove a final opportunity for most committees to hold initial hearings on their list of bills. Committees could also work bills last minute, adding unvetted amendments or unclear language that muddy the bill’s true impact.

Here’s what KAC is planning to weigh in on in Week 5:

On Monday in House Education, we’ll submit testimony in support of HB 2576, establishing Erin’s Law to require schools provide age-appropriate instruction on signs of child sexual abuse.
On Tuesday in Senate Commerce, we’ll submit testimony in support of SB 369, relating to fee disclosures and restrictions for prospective renters.
On Tuesday/Wednesday in the Senate Committee on Government Efficiency, we’ll provide opponent testimony on SB 363, the mega public assistance bill.
On Wednesday in Senate Judiciary, we’ll provide testimony in support of SB 415, which subjects landlords in certain instances to consumer protection laws.

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