The 2026 Kansas legislative session begins Monday with lawmakers in Topeka amid an election year that could influence both the tone and substance of the agenda.
Among the issues likely to dominate the session are budget decisions and tax policy. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has emphasized maintaining the state’s fiscal stability, while some Republican lawmakers are pushing for additional tax cuts.
Lawmakers must also determine how to allocate $222 million Kansas received through the Trump administration’s Rural Health Transformation Program, a funding stream aimed at strengthening health care access, particularly in rural areas.
Property taxes are also expected to be a major point of discussion. While there is broad agreement that rising property taxes are a significant concern for Kansans.
Republicans and Democrats agree property tax is a top issue in the state, but the consensus is not there, even within the parties. Agreement between Republican leaders is not present.
Redistricting, however, is not expected to be part of the regular session agenda. House Speaker Dan Hawkins said last week that Republicans currently do not have the votes to pass congressional redistricting.
The legislative session runs until late April. The candidate filing deadline for the primary election is June 1. This year, Kansas voters will cast ballots for governor, U.S. senator, state attorney general, state insurance commissioner, secretary of state, state treasurer and state representatives.