DECISION TIME

KANSAS LEGISLATIVE NEWS AND ANALYSIS BY CHUCK WEBER, KANSAS CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

IN THIS ISSUE

FIRST ADJOURNMENT LOOMS  

LEGISLATION SUPPORTED BY THE KCC HANGS IN THE BALANCE

A SATANIC WORSHIP RITUAL ON CAPITOL GROUNDS?

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE WEEK

The last leg of any race is often the most difficult and important. This analogy applies to the 2025 Kansas Legislative Session now entering its final regularly scheduled week. Much work has been done, but many of the most important decisions still haven't crossed the finish line.

Dozens of bills on similar topics have passed both the House and the Senate. More bills will be considered this coming week. Most legislation will have at least some differences between the House and Senate versions. These differences must be resolved before a final bill is sent to the Governor for signature into law, or a veto. 

To resolve terse differences, leaders from both chambers (and parties) appoint negotiators on each bill to what's known as a Conference Committee. These negotiators try to come to an agreement that will satisfy both chambers. These agreements, known as Conference Committee Reports ("CCR's" for short), are not amendable and get an up or down vote in each chamber. 

Once the Governor gets a bill or CCR, she can sign the measure into law, or reject it with a veto. "First Adjournment" is set for this coming Friday, March 28. Legislators will most likely return to the Capitol at a future date for the traditional "Veto Session" where they may decide to override any vetoes. 

HOW LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE COMMITTEES WORK  

ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF COLORADO LEGISOURCE

ABOUT YOUR MONEY

It's not that the Kansas Catholic Bishops don't care about your money. They do. After all, a stable household budget with an adequate income is a vital part of a fully-functioning family. But parsing individual budget bills for policy positions is nearly impossible.  Suffice it to say that for the moment, and on a high level, we favor tax policies favoring children and families.  

You will perhaps recall this factoid from previous newsletters, but the one thing your state elected officials meeting in Topeka must do each session is pass a Budget for the State of Kansas. There will be much back and forth between House and Senate negotiators this coming week about the 2025 Kansas State Budget.  

Last week, the Senate passed their version of the State Budget that included a 3% across-the-board cut in spending compared to last year. The Senate's version of the Budget also eliminates positions that relate to or mandate diversity, equity and inclusion. It also calls for the removal of “gender-identifying pronouns or gender ideology” from email signatures on state employees’ email accounts. 

The House Budget also includes a cut in spending from the previous year, though not quite as much as the Senate. 

Some momentum appears to be growing for a single rate or "flat tax" income rate in Kansas. Last year, Kansas moved from a three-tier tax rate to a two-tier rate. Legislators are still discussing other tax and spending issues, like property tax rebates for seniors and disabled veterans. We keep our eye on these and related issues as best we can.

TWO CHILD SUPPORT BILLS MOVING FORWARD 

We told you about this measure last week--it's moving forward.  HB 2062 is a measure that will allow a judge to order child support payments to women dating back to the time of conception. This is the bill where a Pro-Life child tax exemption was added in the Senate, much to the surprise of nearly everyone.  So, two different versions of this bill must be resolved by a Conference Committee. We're not sure where this will end up. 

In a somewhat related measure, SB 237 is moving forward, which will allow a judge to ask for child support payments from a father's retirement account.  This is a further step in bringing accountability to men who help create babies but all-too-often leave the consequences to the mother.   

ADOPTION PROTECTION LEGISLATION TO THE GOVERNOR

HB 2311 is legislation that protects the Religious Freedom of couples seeking to adopt or foster a child.  This means a couple cannot be discriminated against by the government if they believe marriage is between one man and one woman, or if a child's sexual identity is determined at birth.  This bill passed with veto-proof numbers and now goes to the Governor's desk awaiting her signature--or a veto.  For the sake of children looking to be adopted or couples seeking to adopt, please pray that this becomes law! 

PREGNANCY COMPASSION ACT FUNDING MOVES FORWARD!

We are entering the third year of the Pregnancy Compassion Act. This program provides grants to qualified Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRC's) and maternity homes who serve women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy.  The first two years of the program, $2 million was provided each year in grants.  The needs are growing, and we are asking for more financial support for those who serve women who are in the greatest need.  This is a Budget item, and we will keep an eye on this moving forward this coming week.

In related legislation, a greater respect and understanding of preborn life from a scientific viewpoint is behind S Sub HB 2382 (formally SB 275). If passed, this bill would require public schools to show fetal development videos in their curriculum. This measure passed the Senate by a veto-proof margin, and we continue to advocate for this legislation.

SERVICES AND PROTECTIONS FOR THOSE WITH A DISABILITY

HB 2307 is a bill that looks like it will become the law.  It is a measure that provides resources for parents whose children are diagnosed before or after birth with a physical or mental disability. This measure passed both the House and Senate unanimously and now goes to the Governor. 

Long-awaited reform to Kansas laws regarding guardianship and end-of-life care for those with a "special need" is FINALLY looking good!  HB 2359 will better ensure that those with an intellectual disability will get the care and attention and good decisions they deserve. This measure passed the House, 89-34 and the Senate, 40-0. Now, on to the Governor. 

LOW INCOME TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM NEEDS HELP!

Children from lower-income families in Kansas would like to have a chance at an educational opportunity that wealthier kids get.  These children, a great many coming from minority families, very often don't get the education they need or deserve. The low income tax credit scholarship program in Kansas helps them. The program needs help!

There is a current cap on private donations that qualifies for a tax credit set at $10 million. In 10 years, the cap has never been raised.   The program used almost $8.4 million last year, and we are seeking an increase in the cap to at least $12.5 million so that students may continue to benefit from it.  

Please contact your State Representative or Senator and ask them to support SB 87, the low-income tax credit scholarship program. This program does NOT take dollars away from public schools!    

STOP SEX TRAFFICKING!

SUPPORT GREATER PENALTIES FOR BUYING SEX

Sex trafficking--buying and using women and children for sex--can be slowed down if those demanding such "services" are punished. That is what SB 71 is designed to do.  If passed, this measure will increase penalties for buying sex. Currently, SB 71 has been pulled from the legislative calendar, but there is still a chance it can be included in another bill in a Conference Committee.  This is important legislation. We will keep our eye on this during the coming week.

The Given Name Act, also known as SB 76 would allow teachers in Kansas to teach, and not be concerned or worry about what to call their students--girl by day or boy by night, or vice versa.  We continue to hope that SB 76 will be included in legislation being considered this session.

JUDICIAL REFORM ADVANCES

In August 2026, Kansans will have the chance to go to the polls and have the option to elect their State Supreme Court justices. The Judicial Reform measure SCR 1611 passed last week by razor-thin margins. This is a positive development, but there is a lot of education needed about the current selection process and why it should change. Look for more information on this important issue in the weeks and months to come.  

SATANIC WORSHIP RITUAL REJECTED BY MOST--NOT ALL--IN THE KANSAS HOUSE

There has been much talk about a Satanic Worship Ritual, also known as a "black mass," taking place on the grounds of the Kansas State Capitol. Here is the latest set of facts and how the Catholic Church in Kansas is responding: Responding to Evil

This past week, the Kansas House of Representatives voted on a non-binding resolution condemning the upcoming scheduled event. You can read the resolution here: HR 6016

The resolution passed 101-15, with 15 House Democrats voting NO. 

On Tuesday, March 18th, there was a hearing in the House Federal and Stte Affairs Committee.  Our own Lucrecia Nold speaks at minute 12:25.

On Thursday, this was debated and voted on the floor.  You can watch the debate here, starting at minute 30:42. For an explanation of the votes, you can watch here, at minute 7:47:03.

I conducted an interview with EWTN that you can watch here: Legal Battle Erupts Over Planned Black Mass in Kansas Capitol | EWTN News Nightly

The best advice I can offer comes from Archbishop Naumann who offers this: Great guidance from Archbishop Naumann

Thank you to all who have offered their support during this trial.  We know the Evil One wishes to confuse and divide.  We turn to prayer for this and all challenges during this Lenten Season.  As always, please pray for your elected officials as they enter the last days of the 2025 Legislative Session. There are many big decisions yet to be made.  We ask that they also seriously reflect upon these decisions and seek the common good.

We will wrap up next Sunday with the news of the week--and we may be reaching out before then, asking for your help in contacting legislators. 

Until next time, we persevere!

Chuck Weber
Kansas Catholic Conference