Kansas Legislature Opens 2026 Session With Push to Cap Property Tax Valuations

House Bill Would Delay Kansas School Year Until After Labor Day Starting in 2026-27

Governor Kelly to Deliver State of the State Address Tuesday Evening

Democrat Mann Outraises Incumbent Kobach

Kansas Reports Nation's Worst Avian Flu Outbreak with Nearly 414,000 Birds Affected

Kansas Legislature Opens 2026 Session With Push to Cap Property Tax Valuations

TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas lawmakers convened the 2026 legislative session Monday with Senate Republicans introducing a constitutional amendment that would cap annual property tax assessed value increases at 3% for all real property classes, a measure sponsors say would provide relief to homeowners and businesses facing rising valuations. The proposal, SCR 1616, known as the Cap Assessed Value Protection Amendment, would roll back the valuation baseline to 2022 levels when it takes effect in 2027 and calls for a special election on Aug. 4, 2026, coinciding with the primary. The amendment is sponsored by Sen. Caryn Tyson and 15 Republican co-sponsors, though it would need two-thirds approval in both chambers before going to voters. The first day also saw identical bills introduced in both chambers to ban student cellphone use during school — SB 302 in the Senate with 29 bipartisan sponsors and HB 2421 in the House — reflecting growing national concern over youth screen time. Other notable introductions included measures to eliminate state income tax on overtime pay, regulate cryptocurrency campaign contributions, and a House bill that would allow over-the-counter sales of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. Both chambers organized for the session, with President Ty Masterson and Speaker Dan Hawkins returning to lead their respective bodies, and Chief Justice Eric Rosen administering ceremonial oaths to newly elected and appointed members.

Citizen Journal

House Bill Would Delay Kansas School Year Until After Labor Day Starting in 2026-27

Kansas Representative Bill Rhiley has introduced legislation requiring school districts to start classes after Labor Day, beginning with the 2026-27 school year. House Bill 2409 would make Kansas the second state after Minnesota to mandate the later start date, though the bill allows districts to continue summer programs, professional development, and enrollment services before the holiday. A similar proposal failed in committee in 2024. Most Kansas districts currently begin classes in August, following a national trend away from post-Labor Day starts that was once standard practice.

KWCH

Governor Kelly to Deliver State of the State Address Tuesday Evening

Governor Laura Kelly will present her 2026 State of the State address on Tuesday, January 13, at 6:30 p.m. CT from the Kansas statehouse. The annual address will outline the governor's key priorities and legislative agenda for the year ahead. The speech will be broadcast live on Kansas public television stations and streamed online through multiple platforms.

Smoky Hills PBS

Democrat Mann Outraises Incumbent Kobach

Democratic challenger Chris Mann raised $536,640 in 2025 compared to Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach's $337,330, according to campaign finance reports filed with state offices. Despite the fundraising advantage, Mann enters 2026 with $257,257 cash on hand while Kobach holds $502,626. The two candidates are unopposed in their respective primaries and appear headed for a November 2026 rematch after Kobach narrowly defeated Mann in the 2022 attorney general race.

CJOnline

Kansas Reports Nation's Worst Avian Flu Outbreak with Nearly 414,000 Birds Affected

Kansas is experiencing the nation's most severe outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, with nearly 414,000 birds affected across four commercial and six backyard flocks, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A single commercial operation in Pottawatomie County accounts for approximately 380,000 of the infected birds. The H5 strain of bird flu, which kills nearly 100% of infected poultry, poses a low public health risk but can pass to humans through contact with birds or dairy products from infected cattle. Indiana reports the second-highest case count with about 87,000 birds affected.

Kansas Reflector

Sources

1. Citizen Journal
2. KWCH
3. Smoky Hills PBS
4. CJOnline
5. Kansas Reflector

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