Conference Committee Appointed on School Choice Bill as Education Battles Loom

The Kansas House voted Wednesday to nonconcur with Senate amendments to Substitute HB 2004, triggering the appointment of a conference committee to hash out differences between the two chambers on the closely watched measure. The Senate acceded to the conference request and appointed its own conferees, setting the stage for potentially difficult negotiations.

Meanwhile, the Senate introduced two new education-related bills through the Committee on Ways and Means: SB 514, concerning school activities transfer eligibility, and SB 515, addressing nonpublic school student activity participation. Additionally, Senate President moved to refer H Sub Sub SB 281 — which the House had substantially rewritten — to the Senate Education Committee after ruling that the House changes materially altered the bill. The procedural move signals that the Senate is not prepared to simply accept the House's version and could portend further conflict over education policy as the session continues.

The maneuvering around multiple education bills reflects the issue's status as one of the most contentious policy areas in the Kansas Legislature, with school choice proposals, activity eligibility rules, and funding mechanisms all generating fierce debate between and within the two parties.