Final Legislative Update Wk #12 - April 14, 2026: Sine Die
- Apr 14
- 5 min read
By Reily Goyne, AIA Kansas Advocacy Manager
General Statehouse Update
The legislature returned on Thursday, April 9, for the veto session, when lawmakers typically consider veto overrides, reconcile the budget, and pass any remaining legislation, often tax-related measures. This session lasted two days before both chambers adjourned early Saturday morning, April 11.
Although this is our final legislative session update, we will continue to share information about the midterm elections, including key dates, voter registration resources, legislativeInterim Committee topics, and other public policy information.
Taxes
Throughout the session, legislators said that rising property taxes were among the top concerns they heard from constituents. In response, they pursued a two-part strategy: statutory changes to limit growth in local government budgets and a constitutional amendment to restrict increases in property valuations.
Governor Laura Kelly vetoed the Legislature’s first attempt to limit local government budget growth, and lawmakers chose not to try to override that veto. Instead, legislativeleaders replaced the tax committee negotiators and moved the protest petition language from HB 2745 into HB 2043. That language would allow citizens to challenge local government budget increases above a certain threshold. The new version also exempts bonding from the protest petition process, which was a major concern raised in the Governor’s veto message. HB 2043 passed the Senate 27-13 and the House 87-35. Governor Kelly has not yet indicated whether she will sign or veto the bill.
The constitutional amendment remained the main sticking point between the two chambers. The Senate favored a fixed limit on valuation growth, while the House preferred a rolling average calculated over time. Just before midnight on Friday, April 10, Senate President Ty Masterson (R-Andover) presented a final attempt via HCR 5008. This proposal would limit property tax increases using a rolling average. After just over an hour’s debate, the Senate passed it 27-12 and adjourned for the year. Shortly thereafter, the House rejected it 59-62 and adjourned for the year.
Vetoes and Overides
Governor Laura Kelly vetoed 27 bills during the 2026 session, and the legislatureoverrode 21 of those vetoed bills, including:
SB 391, prohibiting cities and counties from requiring landlords to lease to tenants who receive housing assistance.
S Sub for HB 2004, requiring state agencies to share data with federal agencies.
HB 2437, amending voter registration laws
HB 2603, prohibiting municipalities from regulating battery-charged security fences
The remaining vetoes were sustained, either because override attempts failed or because the Legislature chose not to pursue them.
Governor Signs Regents Procurement Bill that Retains QBS
On Thursday, April 9, Governor Laura Kelly signed HB 2560 into law. This bill allows the six Board of Regents universities to promulgate their own procurement policies rather than using the Department of Administration’s process.
AIA Kansas and ACEC Kansas amended HB 2560 to ensure that any new procurement process for architecture, engineering, and surveying services still followed the qualifications-based selection (QBS) principles.
Governor Signs State Fire Code Bill
On Tuesday, April 7, Governor Laura Kelly signed HB 2739 into law. The bill repeals the definition of “apartment home” set forth in K.S.A. 31-132a and accelerates the adoption of the new state fire code, moving from the 2006 standards to the 2024 standards.
Governor Signs Housing Development Bill
On Tuesday, April 7, Governor Laura Kelly signed SB 418, the by-right housing act, into law.
The by-right housing act requires local governments to approve housing development “by-right” if it meets existing zoning and land-use requirements, contains no more than 12 attached units as part of a townhouse project, does not affect drainage in a special flood hazard area, and is not in a historical district or area requiring historic preservation review. The provisions do not invalidate or limit restrictive covenants, condominium association, or homeowners association regulations. The act also sets timelines within which applications must be denied or approved by right.
The bill establishes standards for new-construction single-family residences. If the homes are less than 2,500 square feet and on separate lots, they can be built to the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), with a single-car garage, a single side of architectural finish, and a minimum lot size of 3,000 square feet. If the homes are larger than 2,500 square feet, they are subject to local codes, ordinances, regulations, and other requirements.
SB 418 also allows cities to opt in to third-party reviews and inspections, considers all land zoned for any residential use to also be considered zoned for single-family residential, and amends property owner-initiated protest petition provisions.
SB 30 Passed into Law Over Governor’s Veto
On Thursday, April 9, the Senate voted 30-9 and the House 88-35 to override Governor Laura Kelly’s veto of SB 30, a bill requiring legislative approval for new or substantively changed occupational licenses. This bill includes the Kansas State Board of Technical Professions (KSBTP).
Under the bill, licensing boards will also have to submit an annual report to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and Regulations on the number of licenses in each license category they oversee, and the rationale for requiring such licenses.
Statewide Electrician Licensing Dead
During the veto session, neither chamber chose to advance HB 2588, the statewide licensing of electricians, in a conference committee report (CCR). Since 2026 is the second year of the biennium, the bill would have to be reintroduced and advanced through the process when the new legislature convenes in 2027.
Cities and counties have advisory boards and commissions making decisions for their communities, and these groups are a great way to get involved in your community. Below is a list of boards with vacancies or soon to be vacant positions in the largest Kansas cities. Visit your city's website regularly to see any future openings, or email Reily Goyneif you would like assistance identifying opportunities.
Code Appeals Board
Downtown Business Improvement District Advisory Board
Historic Resources Board
Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board
NOTO Business Improvement District Advisory Board
Affordable Housing Trust Fund Review Committee
Topeka Sustainability Advisory Board
Topeka Land Bank
Topeka Shawnee County Riverfront Authority Board
Park Board
Board of Code Standards and Appeals
Community Service Block Grant Review Committee
Delano Design Advisory Committee
District Advisory Boards
Historic Preservation Board
Metropolitan Area Planning Commission
Wichita Land Bank Board of Trustees
Wichita Sustainability Integration Board
Wichita/Sedgwick County Access Advisory Board
About AIA Kansas
AIA Kansas is a state chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
The organization provides services and programs to meet the professional development needs and interests of Kansas architects and to develop public awareness for the value of architects and architecture.
Our 650-plus members are leaders in building healthy, sustainable communities that will serve our citizens into the future.
www.aiaks.org | 785-357-5308 | info@aiaks.org