The 2026 Kansas Legislative Session has concluded. News and analysis from a Catholic Perspective

by Chuck Weber, Kansas Catholic Conference

When the gavel sounded at about 1:35 a.m. yesterday (Saturday) morning to conclude the 2026 Kansas Legislative Session, we couldn't have been happier with the end result. 

That's not to say the entire Catholic legislative agenda was adopted.  That would be unrealistic. We know that Kansas Catholic Conference issues and our agenda is much different than that of each political party, or of special interest groups. In fact, the news we report here is very often ignored by the secular news media.    

Nearly all what we might call the "big ticket" items, or our priority issues, ended in success this session. We are grateful to the Legislature—Democrats and Republicans—for the results.

Much of the legislative action recently took place during two long and furious days known as the "Veto Session" this past Thursday and Friday. We may pull together a longer end-of-the-legislative-year review when the dust on 2026 settles, but for now, here's a look at what happened during the Veto Session.

IN-STATE TUITION FOR DREAMERS SURVIVES

There may be no more divisive, hot button domestic issue in America today than immigration. While normally addressed at the federal level, sometimes states like Kansas will step in with legislation connected to immigration. Such was the case with SB 254. 

If it had become law, SB 254 would have prevented undocumented Kansas residents from receiving any "state or local public benefit in accordance with applicable federal law." One such "public benefit" was removal of a 20+ year-old Kansas law allowing Kansas high school students to take advantage of discounted in-state tuition rates at a Kansas State school of higher learning (community colleges and universities).  

Who takes advantage of this benefit?  Typically, it is a teenage Kansas resident who does not have legal status and is often referred to as one of the DREAMERS, undocumented people who came to the United States as children, accompanied by their parents or someone else.

In the complex and complicated policy world of immigration, fixing the DREAMER issue is at the top of virtually everyone's priority list—including the President and members of both political parties. 

Why, we ask, would Kansas want to make it harder for DREAMERS to get a better education?

To qualify for the discounted rate, the Kansas DREAMER student must attend a Kansas high school and sign paperwork that says they will strive to gain legal status, including citizenship. These are young people we want to succeed and become contributing citizens of Kansas. Current law helps them do that. 

When this legislation came to a vote in the House and Senate, the Kansas Catholic Conference worked hard to remind legislators of our position. Please, keep in-state tuition for DREAMERS—and here's why.  You can read our statement here: IN STATE TUITION FOR DREAMERS

Although this legislation passed, we know our efforts helped keep the prevailing vote totals from growing larger. Governor Kelly vetoed SB 254—which we commended—and there was no credible effort to override that veto. Working against stiff political headwinds, we are proud to report that the end result is that in-state tuition survives for Kansas residents for now. 

We again call for federal legislators to "fix" the DREAMERS situation and pass meaningful immigration reform.

HISTORIC EDUCATIONAL LEGISLATION PASSES!

Even those of us who have been working all session long to help pass SB 361 might be underestimating how truly game-changing this new legislation can be for Kansas students. 

By overriding the Governor's veto on SB 361 (you can read her veto message here), Kansas families will soon be eligible and "opted in" to take advantage of a new federal tax credit scholarship program, known as the Educational Choice for Children Act.  We invite you to read more about the program here: https://eccacredit.com/

This legislation will unleash the potential for millions of dollars in private donations that can be directed to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGO's). These donations can then be awarded as scholarships to help students in Kansas. The uses are virtually limitless.   

Scholarships can be used for a wide range of education expenses, including:

• Tuition and fees at private schools, charter schools, microschools, or for homeschooling
• Books, supplies, online educational materials and technology
• Tutoring, dual‑enrollment courses and educational therapies (e.g., occupational, physical, behavioral or speech‑language therapy), including special education. 

And here's the beauty of this program: it will not only help Catholic school and other non-public school families and students, it can help ALL Kansas students, including public school students. There is no cost to the Kansas State General Fund (SGF). 

There has not been a more impactful school choice win in Kansas since the inception of the low income tax credit scholarship program 10+ years ago.  The end result is that families will be able to access not only schools, but a wide array of other educational enhancement tools that will better help meet the unique needs of their child.  This is TRULY EXCITING!

Many thanks to all the Kansas legislators who supported this bill.  Special thanks to our Catholic school allies all across Kansas for helping get out the word about this program and activating their advocacy emails. They made a difference.

HELPING MOMS WITH DIFFICULT PREGNANCIES

Protecting moms and babies from the predatory abortion industry is a never-ending struggle. During the 2026 Kansas legislative session, the Kansas Catholic Conference successfully supported innovative legislation that will help women facing difficult pregnancies.

PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER FUNDING

The legislature was forced to override the Governor's veto for $3 million in state funds designated for qualified Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRCs) and maternity homes. 

In addition to our testimony at past committee hearings for PRC-friendly legislation, the Kansas Catholic Conference helped recruit and prepare PRC representatives to come to Topeka and tell their story.  They'd much rather be at home helping moms who face difficult pregnancies.  We are glad to assist these courageous women and men navigate the Capitol and make their case for life. PRC's help moms and save babies. 

And we add here that earlier in the session, HB 2635, known as the CARE Act (Center for Autonomy and Rights of Expression) Act passed. This legislation protects PRCs from government overreach. This legislation was made law despite the Governor's veto.  

NO GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR ABORTION PROVIDERS

The Kansas Catholic Conference wants to make sure the abortion industry is not subsidized by your taxpayer dollars.  A one-year agreement in the Kansas Budget called a budget proviso that disqualifies abortion providers from getting Medicaid dollars was approved by the legislature. The Governor vetoed this proviso, but the legislature voted to override her veto. Kansans can now be assured that their tax dollars will not be going to these substandard clinics—at least for the next fiscal year.  

BETTER COURTROOM PROTECTIONS FOR MOMS

We are so grateful to the brilliant legal minds advocating on the side of the moms and their preborn babies. They help us develop, introduce and support creative legislation that, when passed, gives moms more options to go to court and seek justice against the abortion industry.

HB 2727 is legislation that streamlines the statutory damages acquired due to lack of information provided to a woman leading up to or at the time of her abortion. You can read our testimony in support of this legislation here: KCC testimony in support of HB 2727. The legislature overrode the Governor's veto, making this the law of Kansas. 

When a woman has an abortion, the abortion clinic worker must provide her with a consent form. In recent court cases, the abortion industry has argued that the consent form is...too burdensome. HB 2729 is legislation that amends and strengthens the Woman’s Right to Know Act by standardizing the consent form through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.  

This standardization by a government agency helps take away this argument. The Governor vetoed this measure, but the legislature overrode her veto and this is now the law in Kansas.

PROTECTING FREEDOM OF SPEECH ON CAMPUS

Legislation designed to protect the freedom of speech on college campuses, HB 2333, became known as the KIRK Act (Kansas Intellectual Rights and Knowledge). The KCC supported this legislation with this testimony: KCC KIRK Act testimony This legislation became law after the legislature voted to override their Governor's veto.

IT'S BEEN AN HONOR

Unless the Second Coming takes place before noon today, a news release is scheduled to be posted by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas announcing my resignation as executive director of the Kansas Catholic Conference. The effective date is May 31, 2026. 

I wish to extend my thanks to the Kansas Catholic Bishops who have entrusted me with the great honor of representing them as their public policy voice in Topeka and Washington, D.C. these past eight years.   

A sincere thank you to Lucrecia Nold, KCC Public Policy Specialist, for her attention to detail, joy-filled disposition, and fidelity to the Teachings of the Catholic Church.  She has been an outstanding and effective voice at the Statehouse for the KCC.

There are too many legislative lobby allies to mention by name.  You know who you are, and I extend a heartfelt thanks to all. 

Regular readers of this newsletter will not be surprised when I again request prayers for our elected officials. They have a difficult, almost impossible responsibility to fulfill. Serving in public office is hard on not just those elected to office, but their families.  

It remains to be seen what is in store for me. My wife, Cindy, and I will be praying and discussing the options. We are so blessed with our family and friends. Our lived experience of caring for a special needs son has helped open our eyes to the challenges of others.

For those who wish to stay in touch and connect with me by email, please do so at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Saint Joseph, Terror of Demons, pray for us!

Until next time, we persevere.

Chuck Weber

Kansas Catholic Conference