Legislative Update Wk #1 - January 16, 2026
- Reily Goyne
- Jan 16
- 5 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
By Reily Goyne, AIA Kansas Advocacy Manager
Legislators, lobbyists, and advocates returned to Topeka on Monday, January 12, for the opening of the legislative session. There were a few new faces sworn in, but the Legislature quickly got to work on budgets and bills.
Final State of the State
Governor Laura Kelly gave her eighth and final State of the State address on Tuesday, January 13, to a joint session of the House and Senate. Coming off the high of the recent deal bringing the Chiefs to Kansas, she touted her administration’s economic development achievements.
With it being the final State of the State, Gov. Kelly’s speech reflected on the societal changes from the beginning of her first term to the beginning of her final session. She also urged lawmakers to reject increasingly uncivil political rhetoric and to continue working across party lines during her final year in office.
Speaker of the House Dan Hawkins (R-Wichita) provided the Republican response to Gov. Kelly’s State of the State. His response touted the results of the new legislative-led budgeting process, and emphasized continued priorities to reduce spending and a focus on cost-of-living policies, including education, housing, healthcare, and taxes.
Budget Negotiations Begin
The Director of the Budget, Adam Proffitt, presented the Governor’s Budget Recommendations on Wednesday, January 14, to a joint session of the Senate Ways and Means and House Appropriations Committees. Key priorities outlined in the budget include:
Increased funding for special education
Eliminating the co-pay for students who receive reduced-price school lunches (making them free)
Increase funding for the State Water Plan and related projects
Expand funding for mental health care services
Increase state employee pay
The Governor is obligated to produce a budget each year. However, the legislature last year changed the budget process, and each chamber produced its own budget rather than starting with the Governor’s proposal. This is the second year for the new budget process, and budget committees are already hard at work to hear and work on agency budgets.
Affordable Housing
Affordable Housing Discussions Begin...
Last year, the legislature passed a bill that reduced the state’s support for affordable housing tax credits. The bill eliminated the state match for the 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, capped the state match for the 9% credit at $8.8 million, and set the state’s Affordable Housing Tax Credit program to expire on December 31, 2028.
Housing costs and property taxes remain major concerns for voters, so lawmakers are looking for ways to encourage new housing development without increasing state spending or giving up future tax revenue. The discussion will continue next Tuesday, with hearings in the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee and a joint meeting of the House and Senate Commerce Committees.
Your Input is Wanted for 2026-2023 Strategic Plan
Your Voice Matters in Defining the Future of Architecture
AIA National is inviting you to review the draft of AIA's Strategic Plan 2026-2030 and share your insights to ensure our shared vision reflects the needs of our profession and communities.
You can share your feedback through this short survey and/or join us for a public comment session to share your thoughts directly with AIA leadership and help finalize our path forward.
Register for public comment:
Committee Hearings
Tuesday, January 20
9:30 - Senate Assessment and Taxation: Kansas Affordable Housing Tax Credit informational briefing
1:30 - Senate Commerce and House Commerce, Labor, and Economic Development: Home ownership issues
Wednesday, January 21
9:30 - Senate Local Government, Transportation, and Ethics: Kansas State Board of Technical Professions Budget
Thursday, January 22
1:30 - Senate Commerce: SB 30 informational briefing
Bills to Watch
SB 30 was replaced with the contents of SB 229, requiring the adoption of new occupational licenses and material changes to existing licenses to be approved by the legislature. These requirements do not apply to the State Board of Technical Professions, which licenses architects. The Senate Commerce Committee has an informational briefing on Thursday, January 22.
SB 148 excludes from sales taxation the service of installing or applying tangible personal property for the reconstruction, restoration, remodeling, renovation, repair, or replacement of a building or facility. It is in the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee, and no hearing has been scheduled.
SB 222 prohibits deference to a state agency's interpretation of a statute, rule, or regulation, or document by a state court or an officer hearing an administrative action. It had a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee in 2025 and can be advanced at any time.
SB 229 requires the adoption of new occupational licenses and material changes to existing licenses to be approved by the legislature. These requirements do not apply to the State Board of Technical Professions, which licenses architects. It is in the House Commerce, Labor, and Economic Development Committee, and no hearing is scheduled.
SB 283 eliminates the Kansas Affordable Housing Tax Credit and other tax credit programs. It had a hearing in 2025 in the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee.
HB 2138 authorizes school districts to levy an annual tax of up to two mills for school building safety, security, and compliance with the Americans with disabilities act. It is in the House Education Committee, and no hearing is scheduled.
HB 2162 excludes from sales taxation the service of installing or applying tangible personal property for the reconstruction, restoration, remodeling, renovation, repair, or replacement of a building or facility. It is in the House Taxation Committee, and no hearing has been scheduled.
HB 2183 was replaced with the contents of SB 222, which prohibits deference to a state agency's interpretation of a statute, rule, or regulation, or document by a state court or an officer hearing an administrative action. If the House votes to pass the bill as amended, it would go to the Governor for her signature or veto.
HB 2274 removes the active requirement from military servicemembers for occupational licensure. It is in the Senate Select Committee on Veterans Affairs, but can be pulled to the Senate floor and voted on by the entire Senate.
HB 2328 provides an exception to restrictions on prison-made housing units to allow the Secretary of Corrections to establish a program for delivering such units into designated areas. It is in the House Committee on Interstate Cooperation and has not had a hearing.
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 in the largest Kansas cities. Visit your city's website regularly to see any future openings, or email Reily Goyne if you would like assistance identifying opportunities.
Downtown Business Improvement District Advisory Board
Historic Resources Board
NOTO Business Improvement District Advisory Board
Affordable Housing Trust Fund Review Committee
Topeka Sustainability Advisory Board
Landmarks Commission
Board of Code Standards and Appeals
Community Service Block Grant Review Committee
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
