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Kansas State Senate

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Kansas State Senate
SLP-Infobox Image-Color.png
General Information
Party control:   Republican
Session start:   January 13, 2025
Session end:   May 6, 2025
Term length:  4 years
Term limits:   None
Redistricting:  Hybrid
Salary:   $86.66/session day + per diem
Members
Total:  40
Democrats:  9
Republicans:  31
Other:  0
Vacancies:  0
Leadership
President:  Ty Masterson (R)
Maj. Leader:  Chase Blasi (R)
Min. Leader:  Dinah Sykes (D)
Elections
Last election:  November 5, 2024
Next election:  November 3, 2026

TheKansas State Senate is theupper chamber of theKansas State Legislature. Alongside theKansas House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the Kansas state government and works alongside thegovernor of Kansas to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Kansas State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Kansas State Senate meets at the state capitol building inTopeka, Kansas.

  • All 40 seats in the Kansas State Senate were up for election in 2024. The chamber's Republican majority increased from 29-11 to 31-9.
  • All 40 seats in the state Senate were up for election in 2020. The chamber's Republican majority remained 29-11.
  • Kansas has a divided government where neither party holds atrifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor, while the Republican Party controls both chambers of the state legislature.

  • This page contains the following information on the Kansas State Senate.

    Contents

    Party control

    Current partisan control

    The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Kansas State Senate as of May 2025:

    PartyAs of May 2025
        Democratic Party9
        Republican Party31
        Other0
        Vacancies0
    Total 40

    Members

    Leadership

    The president of the Senate is chosen from among its membership. In the absence of the president, the vice president assumes the duties of presiding officer.[1][2]

    Leadership and members


    OfficeNamePartyDate assumed office
    Kansas State Senate District 1Craig BowserRepublicanJanuary 13, 2025
    Kansas State Senate District 2Marci FranciscoDemocratic2005
    Kansas State Senate District 3Rick KloosRepublicanJanuary 13, 2025
    Kansas State Senate District 4David HaleyDemocratic2001
    Kansas State Senate District 5Jeff KlempRepublicanJanuary 13, 2025
    Kansas State Senate District 6Pat PetteyDemocraticJanuary 14, 2013
    Kansas State Senate District 7Ethan CorsonDemocraticJanuary 11, 2021
    Kansas State Senate District 8Cindy HolscherDemocraticJanuary 11, 2021
    Kansas State Senate District 9Beverly GossageRepublicanJanuary 11, 2021
    Kansas State Senate District 10Mike ThompsonRepublicanJanuary 16, 2020
    Kansas State Senate District 11Kellie WarrenRepublicanJanuary 11, 2021
    Kansas State Senate District 12Caryn TysonRepublicanJanuary 14, 2013
    Kansas State Senate District 13Tim ShallenburgerRepublicanJanuary 23, 2023
    Kansas State Senate District 14Michael FaggRepublicanJanuary 11, 2021
    Kansas State Senate District 15Virgil Peck, Jr.RepublicanJanuary 11, 2021
    Kansas State Senate District 16Ty MastersonRepublican2009
    Kansas State Senate District 17Mike ArgabrightRepublicanJanuary 13, 2025
    Kansas State Senate District 18Kenny TitusRepublicanJanuary 13, 2025
    Kansas State Senate District 19Patrick SchmidtDemocraticJanuary 13, 2025
    Kansas State Senate District 20Brenda DietrichRepublicanJanuary 11, 2021
    Kansas State Senate District 21Dinah SykesDemocraticJanuary 9, 2017
    Kansas State Senate District 22Brad StarnesRepublicanJanuary 13, 2025
    Kansas State Senate District 23Adam ThomasRepublicanJanuary 13, 2025
    Kansas State Senate District 24J.R. ClaeysRepublicanJanuary 11, 2021
    Kansas State Senate District 25Mary WareDemocratic2019
    Kansas State Senate District 26Chase BlasiRepublicanJanuary 13, 2025
    Kansas State Senate District 27Joe ClaeysRepublicanJanuary 13, 2025
    Kansas State Senate District 28Mike PetersenRepublican2005
    Kansas State Senate District 29Oletha Faust-GoudeauDemocratic2009
    Kansas State Senate District 30Renee EricksonRepublicanJanuary 11, 2021
    Kansas State Senate District 31Stephen OwensRepublicanJanuary 13, 2025
    Kansas State Senate District 32Larry AlleyRepublicanJanuary 9, 2017
    Kansas State Senate District 33Tory Marie BlewRepublicanJanuary 13, 2025
    Kansas State Senate District 34Michael MurphyRepublicanJanuary 13, 2025
    Kansas State Senate District 35TJ RoseRepublicanJanuary 13, 2025
    Kansas State Senate District 36Elaine BowersRepublicanJanuary 14, 2013
    Kansas State Senate District 37Douglas ShaneRepublicanJanuary 13, 2025
    Kansas State Senate District 38Ronald RyckmanRepublicanMarch 10, 2021
    Kansas State Senate District 39Bill CliffordRepublicanJanuary 13, 2025
    Kansas State Senate District 40Rick BillingerRepublicanJanuary 9, 2017


    Salaries

    See also:Comparison of state legislative salaries
    State legislative salaries, 2024[3]
    SalaryPer diem
    $86.66/session day$166/day

    Swearing in dates

    See also:When state legislators assume office after a general election

    Kansas legislators assume office on the second Monday of January after their election.[4]

    Membership qualifications

    See also:State legislature candidate requirements by state

    Section 4 of Article 2 of theKansas Constitution states, "During the time that any person is a candidate for nomination or election to the legislature and during the term of each legislator, such candidate or legislator shall be and remain a qualified elector who resides in his or her district."[5]


    Historical party control

    Republicans won control of the Kansas State Senate in 1916. In2024, they won a 29-11 majority.

    The table below shows the partisan history of the Kansas Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

    Kansas State Senate election results: 1992-2024

    Party929600040812162024
    Democrats14131010999119
    Republicans262730303131312931

    Trifecta history

    Astate government trifecta is a term that describes single party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Kansas was under the following types of trifecta control:

    • Democratic trifecta: None
    • Republican trifecta: 1995-2002, 2011-2018
    • Divided government: 1992-1994, 2003-2010, 2019-2023

    Kansas Party Control: 1992-2025
    No Democratic trifectas  •  Sixteen years of Republican trifectas

    Year92939495969798990001020304050607080910111213141516171819202122232425
    GovernorDDDRRRRRRRRDDDDDDDDRRRRRRRRDDDDDDD
    SenateRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
    HouseDRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR


    Elections

    Elections by year

    Kansas state senators serve four-year terms, with the whole chamber up for election every four years. Kansas holds elections for its legislature in even years.

    2024

    See also:Kansas State Senate elections, 2024

    Elections for theKansas State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasAugust 6, 2024. The filing deadline wasJune 3, 2024.

    In the 2024 elections, the Republicans increased their majority from 29-11 to 31-9.

    Kansas State Senate
    PartyAs of November 5, 2024After November 6, 2024
        Democratic Party119
        Republican Party2931
    Total4040

    2020

    See also:Kansas State Senate elections, 2020

    Elections for the office ofKansas State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 4, 2020. The filing deadline was June 1, 2020.

    In the 2020 elections, there was no change in the partisan balance of the Kansas State Senate.

    Kansas State Senate
    PartyAs of November 3, 2020After November 4, 2020
        Democratic Party1111
        Republican Party2929
    Total4040

    2016

    See also:Kansas State Senate elections, 2016

    Elections for theKansas State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 2, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 1, 2016. All40 seats in theKansas State Senate were up for election in 2016.

    Heading into the election, Republicans held a 32-8 majority. Republicans lost one seat in the election, giving them a 31-9 majority.

    Kansas State Senate
    PartyAs of November 7, 2016After November 8, 2016
        Democratic Party89
        Republican Party3231
    Total4040
    Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

    2012

    See also:Kansas State Senate elections, 2012

    Elections for the office of Kansas State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on August 7, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was June 11, 2012. Atotal of 40 seats were up for election.[6].

    Heading into the election, Republicans held a 32-8 majority. Republicans lost one seat in the election, giving them a 31-9 majority.

    Kansas State Senate
    PartyAs of November 5, 2012After the 2012 Election
        Democratic Party89
        Republican Party3231
    Total4040

    The table below details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election in 2012.

    2012 Margin of Victory, Kansas State Senate
    DistrictWinnerMargin of VictoryTotal VotesTop Opponent
    District 1Republican PartyDennis Pyle1.3%30,360Steve Lukert
    District 25Republican PartyMichael O'Donnell1.3%19,996Tim Snow
    District 22Democratic PartyTom Hawk1.5%25,320Bob Reader
    District 5Republican PartySteve Fitzgerald3.1%24,843Kelly Kultala
    District 18Democratic PartyLaura Kelly3.4%28,646Dick Barta
    District 28Republican PartyMike Petersen5.4%18,705Keith Humphrey
    District 7Republican PartyKay Wolf6.2%39,072Kyle B. Russell
    District 21Republican PartyGreg Smith6.3%32,968Juanita Roy
    District 3Democratic PartyTom Holland6.4%31,336Anthony Brown
    District 8Republican PartyJim Denning8.6%35,882Lisa Johnston

    2008

    See also:Kansas State Senate elections, 2008

    Elections for the office of Kansas State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 5, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. All 40 seats were up for election in 2008.

    During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $5,535,999. The top 10 contributors were:[7]

    2008 Donors, Kansas State Senate
    DonorAmount
    Kansas Democratic Party$325,990
    Kansas Republican Senatorial Cmte$243,100
    Wilson, Rusty$75,700
    Kansas Contractors Association$64,400
    Kansas Association Of Realtors$62,200
    Kansas National Education Association$57,750
    Greater Kansas City Chamber Of Commerce$54,750
    Kansas Chamber Of Commerce & Industry$50,118
    Gilstrap, Mark S$50,000
    Koch Industries$48,500

    2004

    See also:Kansas State Senate elections, 2004

    Elections for the office of Kansas State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 3, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. All 40 seats were up for election in 2004.

    During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $4,776,522. The top 10 contributors were:[8]

    2004 Donors, Kansas State Senate
    DonorAmount
    Kansas Republican Senatorial Cmte$178,104
    Boyer, Robert$55,000
    Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation$52,350
    Kansas Contractors Association$50,750
    Wilson, Dennis M$46,125
    Kansas Association Of Realtors$45,200
    Kansas National Education Association$43,300
    Kansas Livestock Association$38,550
    Wysong, David$37,850
    Gilstrap, Joanne M$35,000

    2000

    See also:Kansas State Senate elections, 2000

    Elections for the office of Kansas State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 1, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. All 40 seats were up for election in 2000.

    During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $3,605,370. The top 10 contributors were:[9]

    2000 Donors, Kansas State Senate
    DonorAmount
    Kansas Republican Senatorial Cmte$171,936
    Kansas Republican Party$146,577
    Kansas Contractors Association$70,250
    Senate Democratic Cmte Of Kansas$59,455
    Kansas National Education Association$56,049
    Kansas Optometric Association$36,750
    Kansas Trial Lawyers Association$35,500
    Kansas Bankers Association$35,000
    Kansas Livestock Association$30,600
    Lakey, Jim$30,000

    Vacancies

    See also:How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

    If there is a vacancy in theKansas State Legislature, thegovernor is responsible for appointing a replacement, and a special election is held if the vacancy occurs before May 1 of the second year of the officeholder's term. If the vacancy occurs after or on May 1 of the officeholder's second year, the governor is responsible for appointing a replacement, and that person serves out the rest of the term.[10][11][12]

    DocumentIcon.jpgSee sources:Kansas Stat. Ann. §25-3903 andKansas Stat. Ann. §25-312

    District map

    See also:Kansas state legislative districts

    The state of Kansas has 165 legislative districts. Each district elects one representative. The state Senate has 40 districts and the state House has 125 districts.

    Use the interactive map below to find your district.



    Redistricting

    See also:Redistricting in Kansas

    In Kansas, thestate legislature draws both congressional and state legislative district lines. Redistricting plans are subject to veto by thegovernor. State legislative district maps must be submitted for final approval to theKansas Supreme Court, which must determine whether the maps are constitutional. If the court rules that the maps violate the law, the state legislature may attempt to draw the lines again. There are no such provisions in place for congressional redistricting.[13]

    In 2002, Kansas adopted guidelines for congressional and state legislative redistricting. These guidelines ask that "both congressional and state legislative districts be contiguous, as compact as possible, and recognize and consider communities of common 'social, cultural, racial, ethnic, and economic' interests." In addition, these guidelines stipulate that state legislative districts should "preserve existing political subdivisions and avoid contests between incumbents to the extent possible." Congressional districts should "preserve whole counties and maintain the core of existing districts where possible." The state legislature may amend these guidelines at its discretion.[13]

    2020

    See also:Redistricting in Kansas after the 2020 census

    Kansas enacted legislative district boundaries on May 18, 2022, when theKansas Supreme Court unanimously upheld the validity of the legislative districts that Kansas Gov.Laura Kelly (D) signed into law on April 15, 2022.[14][15] Both chambers of thelegislature passed the redistricting legislation on March 30, 2022, after a joint House-Senate conference committee had developed it.[16] TheKansas House of Representatives approved the legislative boundaries, 83-40, and theState Senate approved them, 29-11.[16]After Kelly signed the maps, Andrew Bahl and Rafael Garcia of theTopeka Capital-Journal wrote, "The state Senate and House maps were mildly contested in the Legislature, particularly in the Senate where the map will create a fourth, Democrat-leaning district in Topeka and Lawrence."[17]

    District map after 2020 redistricting

    Below is the state Senate map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle.

    Kansas State Senate Districts
    until January 12, 2025

    Click a district to compare boundaries.

    Kansas State Senate Districts
    starting January 13, 2025

    Click a district to compare boundaries.


    2010

    Kansas received its local census data on March 3, 2012. The state grew by 6.1 percent to over 2.58 million, with growth concentrated in the northeast corner of the state and the remainder largely showing slight declines.[18] Wichita grew by 11.1 percent, Overland Park grew by 16.3 percent, Kansas City decreased by 0.7 percent, Topeka grew by 4.2 percent, and Olathe grew by 35.4 percent.[19]

    The Legislature attempted redistricting in its 2012 session. Traditionally, the chambers passed their own maps. In 2012, the Senate passed revisions to a new House map, and the House passed a map for the Senate; neither chamber was amenable to the other's actions. On May 20, the Legislature adjourned amid deadlock, asking theUnited States District Court for the District of Kansas to intervene and draw congressional and state legislative district lines. On June 7, 2012, the court approved the new district maps.[13][20]

    Sessions

    Legislation

    The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Kansas State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by the House and signed by the governor after its passage in the Senate. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated byBillTrack50.

    Dates of legislative sessions in Kansas by year

    2025

    See also:2025 Kansas legislative session andDates of 2025 state legislative sessions

    In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 13, 2025, and adjourn on May 6, 2025.


    Click [show] for past years' session dates.

    2024

    See also:2024 Kansas legislative session andDates of 2024 state legislative sessions

    In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, 2024, and adjourn on April 30, 2024.

    2023

    See also:2023 Kansas legislative session andDates of 2023 state legislative sessions

    In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 9, 2023, and adjourn on April 28, 2023.

    2022

    See also:2022 Kansas legislative session andDates of 2022 state legislative sessions

    In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2022, and adjourn on May 23, 2022.

    2021

    See also:2021 Kansas legislative session andDates of 2021 state legislative sessions

    In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2021, and adjourn on May 26, 2021.

    2020

    See also:2020 Kansas legislative session andDates of 2020 state legislative sessions

    In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 13, 2020, and adjourn on May 21, 2020.

    Effect of coronavirus pandemic

    See also:Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
    Covid vnt.png
    Coronavirus pandemic
    Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more.


    Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. TheKansas State Legislature suspended its session effective March 19, 2020. A veto session scheduled for April 27, 2020, was delayed to May 21, 2020, at which time the legislature reconvened before adjourning the session. A special session was convened on June 3, 2020. The special session ended June 4, 2020.[21][22][23]

    2019

    See also:2019 Kansas legislative session andDates of 2019 state legislative sessions

    In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 14, 2019, through May 29, 2019.

    2018

    See also:2018 Kansas legislative session andDates of 2018 state legislative sessions

    In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 8, 2018, through April 7, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, clickhere.

    2017

    See also:Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions

    In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2017, through June 26, 2017. The legislature held a veto session from May 1 to June 10.

    2016

    See also:Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions

    In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 11 through June 1. A special session was held from June 23 to June 24 over education funding.

    2015

    See also:Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions

    In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 12 through June 12.

    Major issues in 2015

    Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included closing a projected $279 million budget shortfall, K-12 funding, and a possible privatization of public employee pensions.[24]

    2014

    See also:Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions

    In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 13 through May 30.

    Major issues in 2014

    Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included school funding, changing the state's court nomination system, and Medicaid expansion.[25]

    2013

    See also:Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions

    In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 14 to June 20.

    Major issues in 2013

    Major issues during the 2013 legislative session included school funding, a settlement between tobacco companies and the state, mental health funding, KanCare, unauthorized immigration, pension system changes, shifting taxes to the local level, and liquor sales.[26]

    2012

    See also:Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions

    In 2012, the legislature was scheduled to be in session from January 9 through May 14. However, the session was extended through the 20th. Major issues which remained unresolved included education funding, state employee pension reform,redistricting, and the budget. Gov.Sam Brownback (R) stated, “I think it’s reasonable for people to say they should have gotten things done in 90 days. My hope is that they wrap it up here pretty soon.”[27]

    Major issues in 2012

    Alongside the budget, legislators considered reforming the school financing formula and expanding Medicaid's managed care system.[28]

    2011

    See also:Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions

    In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 10 to June 1.

    Session highlights

    Business tax deductions

    In the 2011 session, the legislature allowedexpensing, a way for businesses to receive larger tax deductions for start-up costs such as new equipment and software.[29]

    School funding

    In July, state revenue officials forecasted a revenue surplus of at least $175 million for FY 2011 (July 2010-July 2011). In response, state education administrators petitioned lawmakers to restore some of the funding for schools that was eliminated as part ofGovernorSam Brownback's (R) measures the previous year.[30]

    2010

    See also:Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions

    In 2010, the legislature's regular session was scheduled to last from January 11 to March 30. However, the session was extended, and it did not adjourn until May 28.[31]


    About legislative sessions in Kansas

    TheTenth Amendment of theU.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.[32] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions,legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

    Article 2 of the Kansas Constitution establishes when theKansas State Legislature, of which the Senate is a part, is to be in session. Section 8 of Article 2 states that the Legislature is to convene on the second Monday of January of each year. Section 8 also limits the length of regular sessions in even-numbered years to ninety calendar days, but it allows these sessions to be extended by a two-thirds affirmative vote of both houses. In 2010, this kind of extension occurred, moving the session's adjournment date from March 30th to May 28th.

    Legislative roles and procedures

    Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includesveto overrides,the role of the legislature in the state budget,procedures for filling membership vacancies, andredistricting.

    Veto overrides

    Veto Override Graphic-Republican Party.png

    See also:Veto overrides in state legislatures

    State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Kansas are listed below.

    How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members in both chambers.

    Two-thirds of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 84 of the 125 members in theKansas House of Representatives and 27 of the 40 members in theKansas State Senate. Kansas is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

    Authority:Article 2, Section 14 of theKansas Constitution.

    "If the governor approves a bill, he shall sign it. If the governor does not approve a bill, the governor shall veto it by returning the bill, with a veto message of the objections, to the house of origin of the bill. Whenever a veto message is so received, the message shall be entered in the journal and in not more than thirty calendar days (excluding the day received), the house of origin shall reconsider the bill. If two-thirds of the members then elected (or appointed) and qualified shall vote to pass the bill, it shall be sent, with the veto message, to the other house, which shall in not more than thirty calendar days (excluding the day received) also reconsider the bill, and if approved by two-thirds of the members then elected (or appointed) and qualified, it shall become a law, notwithstanding the governor's veto."

    Role in state budget

    See also:Kansas state budget and finances
    KansasonPublic Policy Logo-one line-on Ballotpedia.png
    Check outBallotpedia articles about policy in your state on:
    BudgetsCivil libertiesEducationElectionsEnergyEnvironmentHealthcarePensions

    The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[33]

    1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies inJune.
    2. State agencies submit their budget requests to thegovernor inSeptember.
    3. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to thestate legislature inJanuary.
    4. The legislature typically adopts a budget inMay. A simple majority is required to adopt a budget. The fiscal year begins inJuly.

    Kansas is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.[33][34]

    The governor is legally required to submit a balanced proposed budget. Likewise, the legislature is legally required to pass a balanced budget.[33]

    Committees

    See also:List of committees in Kansas state government

    Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

    • Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
    • Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
    • Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

    Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Kansas State Senate has 16 standing committees:


    Constitutional amendments

    In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process forreferring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states,initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are alsomany other types of statewide measures.

    The methods in which the Kansas Constitution can be amended:

    See also:Article 14 of the Kansas Constitution andLaws governing ballot measures in Kansas
    Kansas Constitution
    Flag of Kansas.png
    Articles
    OrdinancePreambleBill of Rights
    123456789101112131415

    Article 14 of theKansas Constitution governs the ways in which the state's constitution can be changed over time.

    • One path is thelegislatively referred constitutional amendment. Either house of theKansas State Legislature can propose an amendment to the state's constitution. Two-thirds of the members of each chamber must approve the resolution. If they do, the proposed amendment goes on either the next statewide ballot during which members of the state legislature are elected or on a special election ballot if the legislature agrees to have a special election for this purpose.
    • If a simple majority of the electors of the state who vote on the proposition agree with it, it becomes part of the constitution.
    • The legislature must say what the measure'sballot title will be in their resolution authorizing it.
    • If there is more than one proposed amendment, voters must be able to vote on them separately.
    • At most, five amendments can be proposed for one election.
    • An amendment is allowed to revise one entire article of the constitution "except the article on general provisions."
    • Another path to amend the state constitution is through aconstitutional convention. If two-thirds of the members of each house of the state legislature vote in favor, the question "Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the constitution of the state of Kansas?" or "Shall there be a convention limited to revision of article(s) ________ of the constitution of the state of Kansas?" shall be placed on a statewide ballot.
    • If a simple majority of those voting on that question say "yes," a convention is held.
    • Any amendments or revisions that come out of the convention must go before the state's voters.

    Kansas does not feature the power ofcitizen initiative for eitherinitiated constitutional amendments orinitiated state statutes.


    See also

    ElectionsKansas State GovernmentState LegislaturesState Politics
    Ballotpedia Elections Badge-VOTE-no shadow-Square.jpg
    Kansas State Flag-Close Up.jpg
    State Houses-Tile image.png
    State Courts-Tile image.png

    External links

    Footnotes

    1. Kansas Senate, "Rules of the Kansas Senate," accessed February 19, 2021
    2. Kansas Senate, "Senate Leadership," accessed February 10, 2021
    3. National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
    4. Justia US Law, "Article 2--Legislative", accessed February 28, 2025
    5. Kansas Bar Association, "The Constitution," accessed February 28, 2025
    6. fec.gov, "2012 Primary Dates and Candidate Filing Deadlines," accessed August 19, 2014
    7. Follow the Money, "Kansas 2008 Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
    8. Follow the Money, "Kansas 2004 Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
    9. Follow the Money, "Kansas 2000 Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
    10. Kansas Legislature, "2022 Statute," accessed August 9, 2023(Statute 25-3903, Kansas Statutes)
    11. Kansas Legislature, "2022 Statute," accessed August 9, 2023(Statute 25-312, Kansas Statutes)
    12. Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes, "25-321. Vacancy in state senate and house of representatives; tenure of office of person appointed to fill vacancy," accessed February 2, 2024
    13. 13.013.113.2All About Redistricting, "Kansas," accessed April 28, 2015
    14. Kansas Supreme Court, "In the Matter of the Petition of DEREK SCHMIDT, Attorney General, to Determine the Validity of Substitute for Senate Bill 563," May 18, 2022
    15. Kansas, Office of the Governor, "Governor Laura Kelly Signs Redistricting Maps for State House, Senate, Board of Education," April 15, 2022
    16. 16.016.1Kansas Legislature, "Sub SB563," accessed April 19, 2022
    17. Topeka Capital-Journal, "Kansas governor signs new legislative, board of education maps, with legal challenge possible," April 16, 2022
    18. The adjusted total was about 14,000 less than the federal figure.
    19. U.S. Census Bureau, "U.S. Census Bureau Delivers Kansas' 2010 Census Population Totals, Including First Look at Race and Hispanic Origin Data for Legislative Redistricting," March 3, 2011
    20. Barone, M. & McCutcheon, C., "The almanac of American politics 2014 : the senators, the representatives and the governors : their records and election results, their states and districts," 2013
    21. The Topeka Capital-Journal, "Kansas Legislature adopts budget, highway bill before adjourning until late April," March 19, 2020
    22. MultiState, "2020 Legislative Session Dates," last updated April 27, 2020
    23. The Wichita Eagle, "Kansas Gov. Kelly’s pandemic powers may be on the agenda when Legislature returns," May 6, 2020
    24. Associated Press, "Fiscal issues to drive Kansas lawmakers' session," December 28, 2014
    25. Lawrence Journal-World, "Issues that will dominate the 2014 legislative session," January 12, 2014
    26. Lawrence Journal World, "Key issues expected during the 2013 legislative session," January 13, 2013
    27. Kansas City Star, "Republican infighting forces Kansas Legislature to extend session," May 12, 2012 (Archived)
    28. Topeka Capital Journal, "Legislative session to start Monday," January 8, 2012
    29. Stateline.org, "States balance budgets with cuts, not taxes," June 15, 2011(Archived)
    30. The Wichita Eagle, "Kansas legislature delays hard choices on state budget," April 1, 2010(dead link)(dead link)
    31. National Conference of State Legislatures, "2010 Legislative Session Calendar," October 30, 2010 (Archived)
    32. Find Law, "Tenth Amendment - U.S. Constitution," accessed May 20, 2017
    33. 33.033.133.2National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
    34. National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
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