2025 LEGISLATURE ENDS ON A POSITIVE NOTE

KANSAS LEGISLATIVE NEWS AND ANALYSIS FROM CHUCK WEBER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE KANSAS CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

Considering issues of the highest concern to the Kansas Catholic Conference, the 2025 Legislative session was a success. This year's traditional "Veto Session" lasted two days and featured a number of veto override votes. Many, though certainly not all legislative proposals we pursued and advocated on behalf of passed into law. State Representatives and State Senators now return home to face their constituents. If you like what happened, make sure you let your elected officials know that.    

After a short rest, the staff of the Kansas Catholic Conference will continue to unpack and analyze legislation that passed--and did not pass. Here is a brief look back at the 2025 Kansas Legislative Session. 

STOPPING THE SURGICAL AND CHEMICAL MUTILATION OF CHILDREN 

One of the very first bills taken up by the 2025 Legislature was SB 63 Help Not Harm, which was legislation aimed at stopping chemical and surgical sex change procedures on children in Kansas. The Kansas Catholic Conference helped lead the charge for this measure, which was vetoed by the Governor, but passed into law when the legislature voted to override that veto. 

Our testimony on behalf of SB 63, which you can read here, SB 63 testimony from the KCC, includes a reminder that...

"The Catholic Church teaches and invites us to love, respect and show compassion to all people. This includes people who do not share or embrace our view of the gift and beauty of human sexuality. Loving someone questioning their sexuality requires us to show them and remind them of who they are, a beloved child of God made in His image." 

HELPING MOMS WITH DIFFICULT PREGNANCIES

As we are all too well-aware, it is virtually impossible to restrict abortions or otherwise protect women and babies from the predatory abortion industry in Kansas. Nevertheless, the Kansas Catholic Conference pressed forward with measures designed to help women facing difficult pregnancies and promote a culture of life.   

PREGNANCY COMPASSION ACT FUNDING

Funding for Pregnancy Resource Centers and maternity homes through the Pregnancy Compassion Act that helps women bring their preborn child into the world was renewed for at least another year. In fact, funding was increased from $2 million a year to $3 million.  The Governor had "line-item vetoed" these funds, but thankfully, the legislature restored the funding. PRC's and maternity homes are outstanding outposts of support for Kansas moms.   

IMPROVING SUPPORT FOR SINGLE MOTHERS

Kansas women can now ask a judge to have the father of their child provide child support payments dating back to the date of conception. Judges can also dip into retirement accounts or pensions to collect child support payments. These new provisions in the Kansas child support law--which succeeded despite a veto by the Governor--can help moms with pregnancy-related expenses. As an added bonus, a tax exemption for new babies was added to the Kansas tax code. It is our hope that all this will help encourage more women to make a “life” decision for their baby while holding men accountable for the lives they helped create.  

REAL LIFE LESSONS IN THE CLASSROOM ABOUT LIFE! 

We are a visual culture. Young and old spend countless hours watching films and videos at home, on our phones, and yes, in the classroom.  Under a new law passed with the help of a veto override, Kansas public schools will now be required to show some kind of video/film in classrooms about fetal development in the womb.  The film must be shown in classes where “sex-ed” or human development classes are taught. The film could be something like the “Baby Olivia” video you may have seen or heard about: Baby Olivia Video  

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY FOR COUPLES HELPS KIDS!

Couples in Kansas seeking to be foster parents or adopt a child testified before the legislature that they are being discriminated against because they do not conform to the latest "gender ideology" thinking. The passage of the Adoption Conscience Act, HB 2311, will protect both children and couples. A big thank you to the Kansas Legislature for overriding the Governor's veto of this measure. The Adoption Conscience Act ensures that couples who want to foster and/or adopt will NOT be discriminated against for holding deeply held religious beliefs regarding the nature of human sexuality.   

CHALLENGES AHEAD

Politics flows downstream from culture.  This means little can be accomplished legislatively at the Kansas Statehouse or in Washington, D.C. without the culture changing.  Only you can do that.  Brick-by-brick.  One conversation at a time.  It's not easy, but it can be done. 

We at the Kansas Catholic Conference pledge to do a better job of keeping you informed about the issues of the day outside the legislative session. We encourage you to read past newsletters and view our Facebook page.  

This past session we were disappointed that more attention and progress was not given to the educational choice issue.  Catholics care so much about the education of Kansas children that a Kansas Catholic typically supports TWO school systems: our local public schools and a Catholic school. This is one of our challenges in the months ahead.

We have not spoken much about it in recent weeks, but Kansans will face a huge decision at the polls in August 2026. The question of "Judicial Selection," how we select our Kansas State Supreme Court justices, will be up for a vote. We will be helping to educate Kansans about why this is such a critical decision, for multiple reasons. 

On behalf of our team, I would like to thank all who have been supportive of our efforts during the 2025 Legislative Session. I welcome your questions and try to address each one personally. We will have more time to do this now that the daily pressures of the session are behind us.  Please tell others about this resource. 

As we enter Holy Week, let us pray that our focus is on the Passion of Christ, and the incomprehensible sacrifice He made for each one of us.  

Until next time, we persevere.

Chuck Weber
Kansas Catholic Conference