KCC legislative newsletter Week 4
We begin with a confession. It's somewhat of a sigh of relief to have last week in our rearview mirror. All four Kansas Catholic Bishops were in Topeka celebrating the annual legislative Red Mass. This was also a time for our annual Policy Meeting where we discussed much of what's happening at the Kansas Statehouse and in Washington, D.C. The leadership of the Kansas Knights of Columbus were in town for our annual dinner, and the Kansas March for Life took place.
All this, in addition to the normal 14–16-hour days of the legislative session where we were advocating for issues of importance. Throw in a School Choice Rally and a trip to the Pilgrimage for Life in Dodge City, and it was quite a week! Let me be clear—no complaints from me or our Kansas Catholic Conference team. This is the sort of high-energy activity we enjoy. There's a limit, of course, but we love the mission we've embraced on behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Kansas and Kansas Catholics across the state.
We invite you to read on. Learn more about a major piece of legislation that moved forward last week, another piece of legislation we consider to be a step backwards, and a look ahead to another busy week.
CLEAR AND CONCISE PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW
Few issues being debated today in the Kansas legislature and throughout our culture generate more emotion than policies addressing the importance and dignity of our human sexuality. Personal privacy, most especially the privacy and safety of children, is of the utmost importance. Catholic Church Teaching, in union with science and biology, is clear we were made "male and female...in His image." The late Pope Francis was most emphatic about the grave dangers of misleading and false gender ideologies.
This societal hot button issue roared to life last week when Kansas lawmakers in both chambers passed SB 244. This legislation, supported by the Kansas Catholic Conference, accomplishes two goals.
The measure strengthens the Kansas Women's Bill of Rights and restores clear, concise and consistent definitions of sex in Kansas law. This clarification in the law was made necessary because of a recent court ruling. A key provision will ensure accuracy in state-issued documents like a Kansas driver's license. The measure directs government agencies to correct sex markers when necessary. Put another way, if you were born a female, that will be the designated sex on your driver's license. Same for males.
If passed—and the measure received veto-proof margins of victory—this bill will help ensure that women and girls will be able to safely access sex-specific spaces in public buildings—including public schools—like locker rooms, changing areas and restrooms. Simply put, biological boys must use the boys room, biological girls, the girls room.
All of this might seem like good old-fashioned Kansas common sense. The gender ideology which Pope Francis spoke of has infected our culture. At the same time, the late Holy Father and the Catholic Church teaches that we should have respect and dignity for ALL people, no matter their experiences or how they identify. This does not mean we capitulate to falsehoods.
Unfortunately, the secular press is "all in" with the language and advocacy of false and misguided ideologues. This taints public opinion.
The headlines, including one from The Kansas City Star (below) and published under their (in this case) inaccurately named "Reality Check" section, are typical of many. No one is going to "police bathrooms" under this legislation. Other news media coverage included overtly sympathetic depictions of men and claiming unjust discrimination, oppression and unfairness in the legislative process, including the privacy protections of the bill. Not true. This issue and others like it have been debated and discussed in the past and in multiple venues at the Statehouse. The people's voices have been heard.
Past readers of this newsletter know that in a previous career I produced short films and other communication pieces for a Catholic apostolate (ministry) called Courage International. The men and women of Courage experience sexual confusion, what some in the culture may describe as "gay" or "trans" and other terms. Through authentic fellowship, counseling, prayer and the Grace of Our Lord, they are realizing that their own identities are first and foremost as children of God. Yes, they struggle with their sexuality, but they seek the virtue of chastity. I find the members of Courage to be some of the most fearless people I know. When the culture is telling them to "do what feels good," they seek holiness.
PARENTAL SCHOOL CHOICE BILL BENEFITS PUBLIC AND NON-PUBLIC SCHOOL FAMILIES
HB 2468 is legislation sometimes known as the Low-Income Family Scholarship Act. The House Education Committee will "work" this bill on Monday at 1:30 p.m. This means the members of the Education Committee will discuss and debate the bill and vote to send it to the full House—or not. You can watch the discussion here: House Education Committee Monday February 2 2026
This legislation is unique in so-called "school choice" bills because there is an element that will benefit public school students seeking extra help in tutoring, special education and other areas of "extra" education. It also has an element that would assist students from low-income families who wish to attend a non-public school.
The Kansas Catholic Conference supports this legislation. We have long held that parents are the first and best educators of their children. Whatever can be done to help empower parents in this important task—we should do it!
Readers of this newsletter, please read your email this week. We will be reaching out and asking for your help in contacting your State Senator or Representative to help support this legislation. Thank you!
APP STORE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
SB 372 is the App Store Accountability Act. There is bad stuff floating around out there on the Internet. Children are being targeted. The idea is to empower parents, so their children do not become tricked or otherwise deceived into downloading dangerous apps for their computer, smartphone or other device. Parents must be the gatekeepers. The Kansas Catholic Conference supports this legislation. The hearing was last Wednesday in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Here is the link to watch the hearing. We'll let you know what happens next in the legislative process.
A STEP BACKWARDS FOR YOUNG KANSAS MIGRANTS
Since 2004, Kansas has permitted young men and women who do not have legal status in the United States to access state educational tuition at a discounted "in-state tuition" rate. This past week, as part of a larger bill restricting government benefits to undocumented migrants, there was an effort to stop this practice. During the debate, there was an amendment to try and save the discounted rate for these young people, but it failed by one vote and represents a step backwards for young people, who, through no fault of their own, do not have legal status in the United States.
Here's the rest of the story.
Young migrants without legal status are often called “Dreamers." Dreamers Definition They were likely brought into this country illegally by their parents or someone else at a young age and had no say in what was happening to them since they were so young. Even President Trump, elected on the immigration issue, supports "fixing" the Dreamers situation.
We did a check at one of the community colleges on the impact this measure might have. The in-state tuition rate is $8700 a year. Out-of-state is $11,700 a year—so a $3,000 difference.
To be eligible for in-state tuition, the student must have attended a Kansas school for three years and graduated, AND filed, or agreed to file an application for citizenship or legal status. In other words, they want to be legal—the American dream!
The cost difference is one thing. But what are we saying to these young people with this kind of situation? Polls consistently show that 85% of Americans, no matter their party affiliation, support finding a path to legal status for these "Dreamers." In the meantime, Kansas may be removing this small advantage.
We wish to be clear. The Catholic Church is not in favor of "open borders." The Catholic Church believes the government not only has the right, but the duty to enforce immigration laws. Justly, and humanely. But there are also degrees of enforcement at play here. Yes, by all means, we need to find, arrest and deport dangerous criminals. We need to reform our laws so those who entered the country legally, but have had the rules for legal status changed on them once they are here, (Yes, it's happening) can once again find a path to legal status. And, we should be able to provide this important advantage for those young people who want to be better educated and are dedicated to attaining legal status or citizenship.
The legislation in question is SB 254. It passed the Senate and moves to the House. We'll let you know what happens.
THE WEEK IN PICTURES
RED MASS 2026
Pictured left to right: Lucrecia Nold, Kansas Catholic Conference, Bishop Gerald Vincke, Salina, Bishop John Brungardt, Dodge City, Archbishop Shawn McKnight, Kansas City, Bishop Carl Kemme, Wichita, Chuck Weber, Kansas Catholic Conference
We had about 25 legislators, both Catholic and non-Catholic in attendance on Tuesday, January 27th, plus many other guests. Thank you to all, and keep praying!
SCHOOL CHOICE RALLY 2026
KANSAS MARCH FOR LIFE 2026
ARCHBISHOP MCKNIGHT GAVE THE CLOSING BLESSING
That's all for this week.
Until next time, we persevere!
Chuck Weber
Kansas Catholic Conference