2026 LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW
WHAT TO KNOW AS THEY RECONVENE IN JANUARY written by Dan Murray, KAIA Lobbyist
The Kansas Legislature convenes on Monday, January 12 for its 90-day general legislative session.
Like last session, legislative leaders plan to run on a 90-calendar day, not 90-legislative day, schedule with a plan to adjourn in early April. This will be the second year in the current legislative biennium, which means bills from the 2025 session carry over for consideration in addition to newly drafted bills. We are also entering an election year for all statewide offices and 125 House seats. This fact generally impacts the duration of the session – legislators will strive for an abbreviated session so they can get to the business of fundraising and campaigning – and the tone and tenor of the issues they consider.
In the world of campaign palm cards, mailers and social media posts, legislators seeking reelection will look for issues that will differentiate themselves from potential opponents. Also, the majority party legislative leaders often avoid in election year sessions those issues and votes that may be considered controversial in certain vulnerable legislative districts.
Striking the balance between pursuing policy goals and not putting colleagues in reelection harm’ s way is often the theme in these years. However, this year may be different.
FEDERAL IMPACTS
National politics and the balance of power within in the US Congress, led some states to redraw their congressional maps in a way that benefits the party in power in those states. The Trump administration pressured Kansas legislative leaders to return for a special session to draw a new map that would ensure the 3rd Congressional District, currently held by Democrat Sharice Davids, could be won by a Republican. House leaders were unable to collect a supermajority of signatures needed to call a special session. However, leaders have vowed to take a vote on a new map during the 2026 session.
Further, there are a handful of legislators seeking statewide office, including Senate President Ty Masterson( R-Andover) for governor and Speaker
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