hcj Property tax relief, youth savings account bills advance Key legislative committees advanced separate proposals aimed at providing property tax relief for qualifying individuals and establishing state-managed "born to invest" savings accounts for Kansas children.
hcj University autonomy, agritourism and county contract bills move forward Proposals to grant state universities more freedom in handling contracts, ease regulations on agricultural tourism and raise the spending threshold for public bids on county projects are advancing in the Statehouse.
hcj Marion County Commission Bans Wind Energy Systems in Southwest Townships Commissioners also direct counsel to draft a separate solar energy ban resolution
hcj Senate passes contentious private school sports bill, advances opioid and public safety measures The Kansas Senate approved a bill allowing non-accredited private school students to participate in nonpublic school activities, one of several bills passed in a busy session of final votes.
hcj Governor Kelly signs four bills into law Gov. Laura Kelly signed four bills covering optometry practice, veterans' benefits, construction contracts and electric cooperative regulation.
mcj High Wind Warning Issued for Central Kansas Through Sunday Evening Gusts up to 65 mph expected with blowing dust reducing visibility across the region
hcj Property tax constitutional amendment fails in Kansas House A proposed constitutional amendment to cap property tax valuation increases was defeated in the Kansas House, signaling deep divisions on how to deliver tax relief even as a more targeted tax bill passed the same day.
hcj School funding debate continues as House panel amends at-risk formula A House committee amended a bill changing how students are counted for at-risk funding, a critical component of the state's school finance formula.
hcj House committee advances plan to move city, school elections A House panel has endorsed a major overhaul of Kansas election law that would move nonpartisan local elections to even-numbered years, a change critics say could inject more partisanship into community races.
hcj Governor Kelly Celebrates New $24 Million KDOT Headquarters in Topeka The 73,000-square-foot facility replaces an outdated 1936 building and serves 17 northeast Kansas counties
hcj House Sends Cellphone Ban to Governor Measure bans personal devices during the school day from bell to bell
hcj Senate reverses course, passes mandatory school recess bill A bill requiring daily recess for elementary students, which first failed on a 17-23 vote, was revived and passed 24-15 after a reconsideration on the floor.
hcj Kansas Senate bill would ban new data centers in drought-stricken counties SB 531 targets large-load facilities whose cooling systems consume vast amounts of water, citing threats to agriculture and the Ogallala Aquifer.
hcj Sales tax distribution bill heads to conference committee as House, Senate disagree on formula A bill that would change how countywide retail sales tax revenue is divided among local governments is among two measures heading to special negotiating committees after the chambers passed competing versions.
hcj New bill seeks separate accountability report cards for virtual schools A Senate bill would require the state to create a distinct academic report card for virtual schools, responding to the growth of online education and concerns about its effectiveness.
