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Daily Legislative Update 🐝
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Below is today’s morning update on published activities in the Kansas Legislature.
Table of Contents
Top Stories of the Day
The 2025 Legislative Session Countdown Continues
We’re now down to only nine working days left for legislators to wrap up their work. We now have one House bill and three Senate bills that have passed both chambers, made it through any necessary reconciliation process, and awaiting the Governor’s response:
Likely to be signed (all passed unanimously or nearly so):
Likely to be vetoed (and overruled):
SB 4, which removes the 3-day grace period for mail-in ballots. This passed with veto-proof majorities in both chambers, will likely be vetoed, and will likely be overruled.
There’s still much more to come. I’ll be streamlining the Topeka Buzz daily blasts to focus more narrowly on what’s actually happened and be deemphasizing committee activity—the committees are almost wrapped.
DOGE is more popular than you think
While I suspect that most of the Capitol Bee audience is probably opposed to (or offended by) the actions of the Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE), it’s important to consider all perspectives. Case in point: social media research suggests public opinion is split on DOGE the same way it’s split on other major political topics.
Impact Social analyzed Virginia-based online discussions about DOGE (Feb 15–Mar 15, 2025), using human review to assess sentiment and key narrative drivers.
(If you don’t want to zoom in on that chart, it says 15% have positive sentiment about DOGE, 15% have negative sentiment, and 70% are neutral.)
At first glance, it may seem surprising that only 30% of people had any sentiment at all about DOGE–or that opinions seem evenly divided about whether DOGE is doing good or evil. It’s an excellent reminder, though, that if you are reading newsletters like this, you are much more engaged than most of your neighbors.
That neutrality is also a double-edged sword. It means that many people aren’t really paying attention enough to form an opinion. That presents an opportunity; public opinion can still be shaped by new information, making outreach and education efforts crucial. For those who believe DOGE oversteps its authority, now is the time to build awareness before opinions solidify.
That’s why it’s important to:
Talk with your family and friends.
Share content (such as this newsletter!) with your network.
Stay engaged, don’t strategically retreat.
How Can LetterSwarm Help Right Now?
Things are moving too fast in Topeka for an old-fashioned letter-writing campaign to have much impact. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take 60 seconds to send a letter to Senators Marshall or Moran to push back against DOGE!
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Bills Under Consideration
House Bills on the Floor for Consideration
Final Action on Bills and Concurrent Resolutions:
SB 194 (PASSED) – Void discriminatory real estate covenants for educational institutions.
SB 27 (PASSED) – Revises insurance commissioner powers and reporting requirements.
SB 28 (PASSED) – Strengthens licensing regulations for insurance agents and adjusters.
SB 32 (PASSED) – Reduces insurance premium tax rates in Kansas.
SB 42 (PASSED) – Establishes a web-based vehicle insurance verification system.
SB 139 (PASSED) – Updates Kansas banking regulations and procedures.
SB 166 (PASSED) – Removes degree requirements for state employment opportunities.
SB 194 (PASSED) – Void discriminatory real estate covenants for educational institutions.
Senate Bills on the Floor for Consideration
Final Action on Bills and Concurrent Resolutions:
General Orders (Bills Under Consideration):
SB 119 – Increases county motor vehicle fee retention. Passed over and retained on the calendar.
New Bills Introduced
House Resolutions:
Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources:
🐝🐝 HR 6012: Recognizing 40 years of Wolf Creek Nuclear Station operations.
Government Organization, Elections, and Public Administration:
Healthcare and Public Health:
🐝 HR 6014: Recognizes March 13, 2025, as Mental Health Advocacy Day.
Taxes, Fiscal Policy, and Economic Development:
🐝🐝 HR 6015: Strengthening trade ties between Kansas and Ireland.
Session Highlights for March 17, 2025
House of Representatives
The House, presided over by Speaker Hawkins, convened at 11:00 a.m. and was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
Roll Call:
122 members were present, with Rep. Carmichael, Rep. Haskins, and Rep. Sawyer excused for illness. Excused later: Rep. Penn and Rep. A. Smith.
Bill Actions:
Additional Notes:
Committee Assignment Changes:
Rep. King appointed to replace Rep. Penn on Committee on Insurance.
Rep. Sweely appointed to replace Rep. Penn on Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development for March 17, 2025.
Rep. Roeser appointed to replace Rep. Ward on Committee on Federal and State Affairs for March 18, 2025.
Rep. Poskin appointed to replace Rep. Haskins on Committee on Federal and State Affairs for March 18, 2025.
The House adjourned until 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
Senate
The Senate, presided over by Vice President Tim Shallenburger, convened at 2:30 p.m. and was adjourned until 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
Roll Call:
40 senators were present, with no excused absences reported.
Bill Actions:
Additional Notes:
Conference Committees Appointed:
SB23, SB24, SB2155, SB2347, SB2045, SB2043, SB2042.
The Senate adjourned until 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
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