KS AFL-CIO Weekly Legislative Update - Week 4

Week of Feb 2-5, 2026

If you'd prefer a condensed video version its on YouTube.

RED ALERTS

Public education under attack -- The legislature is coming at public schools from multiple directions. HB 2468 (voucher expansion) passed out of House Education Committee on a voice vote, expanding private school tax credit scholarships that have already diverted an estimated $58M+ from public schools. An amendment requiring private schools to accept all students was defeated. An amendment to delay expansion until special
 education is fully funded was ruled "not germane." Meanwhile, special education got only a $10M increase when $225M+ is needed to reach the statutory 92% target. Current funding sits at 64.6%, rising to just 65.7%with the increase. Two larger proposals -- Rep. McDonald's $225M amendment and a substitute matching the governor's $50.6M recommendation -- were both rejected. Senate Ways & Means also approved a $114.6M reduction to K-12 funding. And $10M was diverted from school safety funding to the AG's office for AI gun detection software. 

Electrician licensing standards (HB 2588) -- Heard in House Commerce, Labor & Economic Development. Kansas has no statewide electrician license right now -- only cities and counties can license. A statewide standard isn't a bad idea, but HB 2588 would set it at just 4,000 hours. KS AFL-CIO testified that the standard should be 8,000 hours, the norm at the federal level and in surrounding states. Setting it too low wouldn't establish the reciprocity a statewide license should create. IBEW Local 124 submitted written testimony in opposition. We are working with our Brothers and Sisters at IBEW to make sure any statewide licensing bill meets the needs of their members.

Voter suppression package -- Multiple bills advancing: 

• HB 2453 shortens registration deadlines and eliminates Monday early voting.
• HB 2503 restricts mail-in elections.
• HB 2491 cross-references voter rolls with immigration data.
• HB 2448 creates new voter ID hurdles and passed committee as amended.
• SB 394 could eliminate mail-in voting entirely.

WINS & OPPORTUNITIES

Construction zone safety (SB 324) -- Passed Senate Transportation Committee. Creates a new crime for phone use in work zones with workers present. 

Nurse protections (HB 2528) -- Adds whistleblower protections and reforms to Board of Nursing discipline process. Hearing held in House Health & Human Services.

State hospital staffing crisis -- Larned State Hospital hired 153 employees but lost 139 in 2025 alone. Proposals on the table to let state nurses pick up shifts at agency rates ($55/hr) and offer education incentives. At least the staffing crises is getting some attention. We are monitoring.