2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS
TOPEKA — The 2025 Legislative Session officially began on Monday, January 13, at 2:00 p.m., marking the start of another year of important legislative work.
The first week was largely ceremonial, featuring the State of the State, State of the Judiciary, and State of the Military addresses delivered before joint sessions of the Legislature. These traditions, along with photographs and other formalities, showcased the pomp and circumstance that honor the republican form of government we are privileged to enjoy in both Kansas and America.
Following Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, the second week of the session was shortened but productive.
While the Senate floor focused on passing rules and confirming appointments, much of the real work took place in the Senate’s 19 standing committees.
These committees, covering key topics like education, agriculture, judiciary, budget, and utilities, are diligently prioritizing and vetting proposed legislation. Bills that pass-through committee hearings and votes then advance to the Senate floor, where the full chamber debates and votes on each measure. This step-by-step process ensures every piece of legislation receives thorough review and thoughtful consideration.
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
This session, my committee assignments remain largely the same, with one notable change: the Local Government Committee has merged with the Ethics and Transparency Committee, and I am honored to serve as chair of this newly combined committee.
I continue to serve on the Transportation, Judiciary, and Utilities committees, as well as the Historical Preservation Committee and the Joint Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice Oversight. Additionally, I was recently selected to serve on the Kansas Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial, an exciting opportunity to help commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.
Capitol Preservation Committee updateThe Capitol Preservation Committee will unveil the Suffragist Memorial Mural on Kansas Day, January 29, at noon—a meaningful tribute to the brave women who fought for the right to vote. Another historic milestone was achieved last fall when the Ad Astra Indian statue was finally placed on its long-empty pedestal in the northwest quadrant of the Capitol complex, completing the Ad Astra Plaza after a 20-year delay.
STATE OF THE STATE
In her seventh State of the State message, Gov. Laura Kelly outlined her priorities to the Legislature using a collaborative tone in her calls to action. A portion of her message focused on investments concerning the youngest Kansans, including fully funding public schools, extending free school lunches to more students and advocating for a one-stop-shop for those who interface with early childhood services.
Gov. Kelly also prioritized preserving the Ogallala Aquifer and clean water for future generations. Gov. Kelly shared her goal of adding an additional $30 million annually to support water resources and creating an Office of Natural Resources to combine water-related services currently split over 14 different agencies.
STATE OF THE MILITARY
For the first time in history, the Kansas Legislature convened for a joint session to receive information on the State of the Military from Adjutant General Michael Venerdi on the work the Kansas National Guard is doing to make our state and nation safe, secure, and free.
As General Venerdi articulated, “the Kansas National Guard comprises over 7,000 Soldiers, Airmen, and civilians. The National Guard is the primary combat reserve of the Army and Air Force, seamlessly providing forces to fight and win the nation’s wars and defend the homeland.”
STATE OF THE JUDICIARY
On Wednesday, Chief Justice Marla Luckert delivered the State of the Judiciary address before a joint session of the Legislature, highlighting a Russian-based ransomware attack on the Kansas Judicial Branch’s computer systems last October. The attack shut down the e-filing system, but the Judicial Branch refused to pay the ransom, instead focusing on recovery and fortifying its infrastructure.
Chief Justice Luckert also emphasized collaboration among the three branches of government to address key issues such as mental health, child welfare, and the attorney shortage.
She highlighted the Rural Justice Initiative, led by Justice K.J. Wall, which seeks to address the lack of justice resources in rural areas through a partnership of government, legal, and community stakeholders. I am honored to serve on the select committee for this initiative and look forward to working over the next 18 months to develop solutions for this challenge, which affects rural communities nationwide.
NEW COMMITTEES FORMED
In line with the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency in Washington, D.C., the Kansas Senate has established a Committee on Government Efficiency. This new committee is tasked with identifying ways to save taxpayer dollars and ensure government works for the people. In the coming days, a special email address and online portal will be launched, allowing Kansans to submit their own ideas and suggestions for the committee to review.
Additionally, the Senate has formed a Select Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. This committee will convene as needed to study issues and process legislation related to veterans, ensuring we continue to address the needs of those who have served our nation.
SENATE FLOOR ACTION - CONFIRMATIONS
The Senate confirmed a number of appointments on January 23rd:
State Banking Board: Taylor Hight, Herbert Iams, Leonard, Irvin Mitchell Wolfe
State Lottery Commission: Margaret La Rue
Office of the Child Advocate: Kerrie Lonard
Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission: David Moses
State Long Term Care Ombudsman: Haely Ordoyne
Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board: Richard Samaniego
Kansas National Guard: Paul Schneider
Kansas Human Rights Commission: Christal Watson
HELPFUL KANSAS INFORMATON
Kansas Insurance Department
Need assistance finding a lost life insurance policy? Utilize the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Life Insurance Policy Locator, where you can perform a nationwide search for missing life insurance funds by providing the social security number, legal name, date of birth, and date of death of a deceased individual. The Kansas Insurance Department has assisted Kansans with the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator, which has found more than $69.6 million in life insurance policies for Kansans since 2019. Contact the Kansas Insurance Department at 785-296-2461 for assistance.
Following the Kansas Legislature
You can view video streaming of both chambers via the Kansas Legislature YouTube page. In addition, many committees are now audio streamed and can also be viewed on the Kansas Legislature YouTube page. The Kansas Legislature website is easy to use with Senate and House calendars and journals as well as the rosters of both chambers.
Here are the relevant links:Website: http://www.kslegislature.orgYouTube Streaming: http://bit.ly/2CZj9O0 Committee Hearings: http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/
Page Dates
Each year we are assigned dates for students to page for the Senate. The students should be twelve and over and will spend the full day with us, including running errands for all Senators and a tour and trip to the Capitol Dome top. I was a page myself for Representative Bill Fuller from Miltonvale in 1981! Our dates this year are – Tuesday, February 4; Tuesday, February 18; Wednesday, February 26; Tuesday, March 11; and Tuesday, March 18. Other dates may be available upon request.
Office Information
My office remains in the same suite, 223E (east wing second floor) next to the cage elevator. Randi Walters, who has worked in the Capitol for 22 years as an assistant and a committee assistant, is in our office.
As session progresses, not every bill introduced will make it to the Governor’s desk, but that doesn’t mean opinions, facts and testimony weren't heard.
Your participation in the state legislature is vital. As we continue to weed through the different bills, I hope to hear from you. I want to know how legislation will impact you and our district, or the ideas you have to improve a bill.
A personal email with your thoughts is the best way to reach us as we sit in committees for most of the day and seldom get to stay at our desks for long periods.
Thank you for the honor of serving you!
Senator Elaine BowersKansas State Capitol BuildingRoom 223-E300 SW 10th St.Topeka, KS 66612[email protected]785-296-7389www.kslegislature.org
The Kansas 36th Senate District includes:Clay, Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Smith and Washington counties
Marshall County:Cities: Bremen, Herkimer, Marysville and OketoTownships: Elm Creek, Herkimer, Logan, Marysville, Oketo and Walnut
Phillips County:Cities: Agra, Glade, Kirwin and PhillipsburgTownships: Arcade, Bow Creek, Crystal, Deer Creek, Freedom, Glenwood, Greenwood, Kirwin, Phillipsburg, Plum, Rushville, Solomon, Sumner, Valley and Walnut