WAYMASTER: From the Dome to Home: Updates on state's debit standing, water plan

TOPEKA

March 16, 2026

HOUSE HAPPENINGS

The Kansas House of Representatives worked seventeen bills on the floor last week. The topics of said bills ranged from property deeds for state agencies to state funded children health insurance.

Detailed below are six of those seventeen bills worked this week.

First is Senate Bill (SB) 445. This piece of legislation would enable the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Advisory Committee to request temporary personnel and other assistance in support of funeral services honoring law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. SB 445 was voted out favorably in the House on Tuesday and will now go to the Governor for signage into law.

Second is SB 331. This bill would repeal current law that prohibits payment of checks and other bills of exchange on Saturdays and legal holidays. SB 331 was voted out favorably by the House on Wednesday and will now go into conference committee, given it was amended by the House.

Third is House Bill (HB) 2769. This legislation would require members of governing bodies with taxing authority to be residents within those taxing authorities. HB 2769 was voted out favorably by the House on Thursday and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Fourth is SB 430. This bill would permit licensed physical therapists to perform certain capillary blood tests for point-of-care testing, for purpose of obtaining information on patient muscle metablosim, exercise tolerance, or rehabiliation status. SB 430 was voted out favorably by the House on Thursday and will now go into conference committee, given it was amended by the House.

Fifth is SB 271. This piece of legislation would update the income eligiblity requirements for the State of Kansas's Childrens' Health Insurance Program (CHIP), raising it from 250 percent of the 2008 federal poverty level to 250 percent of the federal poverty level in 2026. SB 271 was voted out favorably by the House on Thursday and will now go into conference committee, given it was amended by the House.

Last is SB 325. This bill would prohibit obstructing the visability or legibility of a license plate on a vehicle, regardless of the vehicle's use. SB 325 was voted out favorably by the House on Thursday and will now go into conference committee, given it was amended by the House.

COMMITTEE HAPPENINGS

The House Appropriations (HAPP) Committee met on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday last week. The committee heard one bill, worked another, and held six informational briefings on significant topics for the State of Kansas, making the week fairly busy.

On Tuesday HAPP heard three informational briefings and worked on one bill.

The first briefing, given by the Kansas Legislative Research Department (KLRD), informed members on the state's debt standing. Second was a briefing by KLRD on the state's spending towards mental health. The last briefing was on trends within the Department of Corrections, given by Secretary Jeff Zmuda. Following that, the committee worked and voted out favorably HB 2781, authorizing the State Historical Society to acquire and preserve officer quarters at Fort Dodge.

Wednesday saw the committee receive one informational briefing and hold one bill hearing. The briefing pertained to the much-anticipated 2026 World Cup events hosted in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. Staff from KC 2026 provided considerable details on the event, from visitor number projections to the number of small businesses assisted. Considerable discussion followed.

After that, HAPP heard HB 2543, establishing an annual reimbursement to the Department of Wildlife & Parks for lost revenue from free and discounted licenses.

Finally on Thursday the committee received another two briefings. The first was on career technical education state funding, given by the Kansas Association of Community Colleges, Kansas Technical Colleges, and the Kansas Board of Regents. After that, the committee was briefed by the Governor's Office on the progress made in establishing and implementing the State Water Plan.

IMPORTANT UPDATES

The first update is that HB 2555, requiring reports for Rural Health Transformation Program, passed the Senate on Tuesday, via the consent calendar. With the bill having passed both chambers, and not being amended by the Senate, it will now be sent to the Governor for signage or veto.

If this bill is signed into law the Legislature will gain a better understanding of the programs implemented and overseen by the Kansas Department of Health & Environment over the duration of the program, which is five years.

The second update is that the Conference Committee for the State Budget has been established. The conference committee comparison sheet positions were read through by Kansas Legislative Research on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. The first rounds of offer and counteroffer will begin this 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

[email protected]

www.kslegislature.gov

www.troywaymaster.com

785-296-7672

Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, is state representative for the 109th District.