The 2024 elections marked a significant turning point in Kansas politics. Under newly drawn district maps designed to consolidate Republican power, the party emerged with a supermajority in both the House (70%) and Senate (78%). This dominance grants Republicans the ability to override any veto by the Democratic governor without significant bipartisan support. Only five Republican legislators in either chamber would need to join Democrats to block legislation. This unparalleled power raises questions about whether Republicans will use this opportunity for bold reforms or repeat past experiments, such as the controversial Brownback tax policies that led to severe fiscal challenges.
State of the State Highlights
Governor Laura Kelly delivered her annual State of the State address, urging lawmakers to focus on the long-term impacts of legislation rather than short-term political wins. Her priorities included:
- Expanding access to child care.
- Implementing water conservation efforts to combat the drying of Kansas lands.
- Avoiding unsustainable tax measures, particularly the Republican proposal to eliminate corporate taxes entirely, which she labeled a “nonstarter.”
In response, Senate President Ty Masterson signaled Republican priorities, including diverting public funds to private schools and advancing legislation targeting transgender students.
Voting Rights Bills
Voting rights became a focal point during the first week, with several impactful bills introduced:
- SB 4: Proposes eliminating the 3-day grace period for advance ballots, which could significantly restrict the time frame for voters to ensure their ballots are counted.
- HCR 5004: A constitutional amendment requiring voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, and residents of the voting area in which they seek to vote. This measure could further restrict voter access in Kansas.
Immigration Bills and Resolution (SCR 1602)
Senator Mike Thompson held a last-minute hearing on SCR 1602, which encourages Governor Kelly to collaborate with Trump-era deportation policies. Attorney General Kris Kobach testified in favor, citing data from FAIR (Federation for American Immigration Reform), a group widely criticized for its ties to white nationalism. FAIR, co-founded by John Tanton, has been labeled a hate group due to its history of collaboration with Holocaust deniers and its promotion of anti-immigrant ideologies.
Additionally, HB 2020 was introduced, which would require the Division of Vehicles to submit monthly reports listing names and addresses of certain noncitizens issued driver’s licenses du
Reproductive Rights
Despite the Kansas Constitution enshrining the right to bodily autonomy, a group of Kansas Republicans introduced two anti-abortion bills in the House of Representatives:
- One bill seeks to prohibit all abortions, except when necessary to save the life of the mother.
- The other proposes making it a criminal offense to perform abortions in Kansas.
Both bills were referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday. While these measures are largely symbolic, as the Kansas Constitution protects the right to abortion within the first 21 weeks of pregnancy, their introduction signals ongoing attempts to restrict reproductive rights. Similar legislation introduced in previous sessions failed to receive a hearing that month.
Transparency Under Threat
House Speaker Daniel Hawkins broke a century-long precedent by banning journalists from the House floor on the first day of the session. This move mirrors Senate President Ty Masterson’s 2022 decision to restrict press access in the Senate. These actions align with a concerning national trend of limiting media access and reducing government transparency.
Upcoming Legislative Priorities
Republican leadership is expected to focus on tax cuts, even as recently passed cuts have created budgetary challenges. Other contentious topics likely to dominate the session include:
- Medical Marijuana: Anticipated debates over legalization and regulation.
- Medicaid Expansion: Renewed efforts to address healthcare access.
- Abortion Restrictions: Further attempts to limit reproductive rights.
- Constitutional Amendments: Proposals to increase partisanship in judicial appointments and make voting more restrictive.
This session will also be compressed, with plans to conclude by early April instead of May, intensifying the legislative process.
Coalition Updates
- Debt Free Justice: Advocates are actively seeking testimonies supporting the elimination of juvenile fines and fees.
- Cannabis Reform Coalition: Optimism grows around introducing a bill to decriminalize marijuana possession.
- Reimagine Justice Coalition: This group is mobilizing to address pretrial services, bail reform, and juvenile justice issues. The coalition will continue to host bi-weekly Reimagine Justice calls. For more information, contact Lindsay Callendar.
- LGBTQ Policy and Protection Coalition: Remains vigilant in opposing discriminatory legislation.
- Reproductive Rights Coalition: Held multiple meetings and will alert the public about any harmful legislation.
Hearings Scheduled
- HB 2020: Scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, at 3:30 PM in House Elections. ACLU Kansas will submit opponent testimony.
- SB 4: Scheduled for Wednesday, January 22, at 10:30 AM in Senate Federal & State Affairs. ACLU Kansas will submit opponent testimony.
- SCR 1602: A hearing was held on Wednesday, January 15, at 10:30 AM in Senate Federal & State Affairs.
Date
Friday, January 17, 2025 - 10:30am
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2025 Legislative Hub
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Rashane H.
As we look back at 2024, we’re celebrating the local and statewide victories we’ve accomplished in the sunflower state. This year, we focused on three issue campaigns—expanding voting rights to make elections safe and available to all eligible Kansans, reforming our broken criminal legal system, and fighting for a more inclusive Kansas for LGBTQ+ constituents. Here are just some of the highlights:
Voting Rights:
In 2024, we were able to secure 30 additional voting locations in Sedgwick County.
For years we have also been advocating for increased Spanish-language access at the polls. And in October, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City unanimously voted to pass a resolution supporting Spanish-language election materials for voters starting in 2025.
The work to advance voting rights in Kansas would not be possible without our Beehive Team. This year, Beehive Leaders and ACLU Kansas staff made over 33,000 calls and sent over 44,000 texts informing previously incarcerated Kansans of their eligibility to vote. Our Beehive team members and Election Protection staff members worked tirelessly throughout the weeks leading up to our primary and general elections to respond to the concerns regarding our elections.
Criminal Legal Reform:
In 2021, ACLU Kansas and Kansas Appleseed sued the City of Wichita for constitutional violations regarding the Wichita Police Department’s “gang list”. The list particularly targeted young Black and Latino residents and would include them in the gang database simply based on where they lived, the clothes they wore and funerals they attended. In April of 2024, we finally settled the case and ensured the removal of at least 3,500 residents from the gang list, established new criteria to include people, ensured oversight and that everyone now has the ability to find out their gang status and challenge it.
In 2022, ACLU Kansas and NPAP filed a class action lawsuit (Glendening et. al v. Howard et. al) against the Kansas Department of Disability and Aging Services (KDADS) on behalf of those being held pretrial while on the waitlist for an evaluation or treatment bed at Larned State Hospital. In November of this year, we finally settled. KDADS committed to reopen 30 closed treatment beds at Larned State Hospital by January 2025, while addressing the understaffing and underfunding that contributed to the facility running at a limited capacity.
LGBTQ+:
We intervened in Kansas v. Harper, in which Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach weaponized SB180, a law that passed in 2023 rigidly defining one’s “sex” as based upon the gender assigned at birth and defined “male” and “female” based on one's reproductive capacity.
We joined a coalition of organizations, allies, medical providers, educators, and Kansas families to help defeat SB 233 in the 2024 session.
In 2024, we secured 30 new voting locations, made over 73,000 connections with previously incarcerated eligible voters, ensured favorable settlements in 2 lawsuits affecting thousands of Kansans, reopened 30 treatment beds, and defeated SB233.
The work for a freer, safer, and more accessible Kansas does not stop here. Learn how you can join our efforts to make Kansas even greater next year by visiting our 2025 Legislative Session Resource Hub.
Date
Monday, December 30, 2024 - 9:45am
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Recently, many of us may be feeling disappointed and frustrated in our national politics. In times like these, when our faith in government institutions and higher systems of power is wavering, our local community resources remain steadfast in their commitment towards progressive advocacy. Here are some local resources for you to plug into.
Throughout political strife and social unrest, the ACLU of Kansas and local advocacy groups have remained committed to protecting the rights and liberties of all Kansans. This sustained commitment towards a safer and more progressive Kansas would not have been possible had it not been for the support provided by our community members. To sign up as an ACLU of Kansas beehive volunteer, click here. Take a look at our events page here to see other ways you can join our efforts.
In times of uncertainty, our local mutual aid programs are direct lifelines for our communities. Here are just some of the mutual aid programs we have in Kansas:
This last election, we saw voter suppression and misinformation across the country. We need informed voting rights advocates in our communities. For those looking to fight for voting rights and equal access to our democratic process in Kansas, check out these organizations:
- Loud Light: Loud Light is a nonpartisan, youth-focused organization that engages, educates, and empowers individuals from underrepresented populations to build community power that has an impact on decision makers.
- League of Women Voters (Kansas): The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented in our democracy.
In the wake of another Trump presidency, many of us are especially concerned about the future of immigrant’s rights in the state of Kansas. Here are some local organizations dedicated towards protecting and defending immigrant’s rights in Kansas:
- El Centro is looking for Spanish-speaking volunteers to join their Promotores (Promotors). Click here to learn more and sign up today.
- Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation (AIRR) is looking for volunteers to be a part of their Rapid Response Program. Volunteer roles include:
- Rapid Response: Be a First Responders to calls about ICE activity, training required/ Sea un socorrista a las llamadas sobre la actividad de ICE, se requiere capacitación
- Accompaniment: Accompany members of our community who are going through the immigration process, training required/ Acompañar a miembros de nuestra comunidad que están pasando por el proceso migratorio, se requiere capacitación
- Advocacy: Phone banking, Canvassing, and more. / Abogacía: banco de llamadas, campañas electorales, y mas.
- Fundraising/ Recaudación de fondos
- Community Events/ Eventos comunitarios
LGBTQ+ pride in Kansas will never be diminished regardless of who is in power. Our local queer advocacy groups have been a consistent resource and safe space for LGBTQ+ Kansans. Take a look at some of the LGBTQ+ advocacy groups we’ve worked with in the past:
With the Kansas legislative session only a couple months away, it’s imperative that we prepare for the upcoming attacks on our civil rights that will be proposed. Arm yourself with the knowledge and resources that are needed to defend Kansan’s rights:
- Familiarize yourself with your House and Senate representatives. Click here to find out who represents you.
- Sign up for our legislative training events to learn about grassroots advocacy in the Kansas capital.
Date
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 - 9:15am
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