Fairness in Women’s Sports Act SUCCESSUL VETO OVERRIDE The Senate voted 28-12 and the House 84-40 to override the Governor’s veto of this bill that simply says, biological girls will only compete in athletic competition against other biological girls. THIS IS NOW THE LAW IN KANSAS.
Women’s Bill of Rights: SUCCESSFUL VETO OVERRIDE The Senate voted 28-12 to override the governor’s veto of a bill establishing in state law that an individual’s sex means their biological sex – either male or female – at birth. The House voted 84-40 to override the veto. Critics say the bill effectively prevents transgender people from using restrooms and other facilities consistent with their gender identities. Supporters said the bill ensures that any debate about males accessing women’s spaces must acknowledge their sex. THIS IS NOW THE LAW IN KANSAS.
Inmate gender: SUCCESSFUL VETO OVERRIDE The House and the Senate overrode the governor’s veto of legislation requiring county sheriffs to clarify each sex – female and male – should always be kept in separate rooms. The House voted 87-37 to override the veto. The Senate overrode the veto on a 31-9 vote. The bill defines the term “sex” to mean an individual’s biological sex – either male or female – at birth. The bill further defines a “female” as an individual whose biological reproductive system is developed to produce ova, and a “male” as an individual whose biological reproductive system is developed to fertilize a female ova. THIS IS NOW THE LAW IN KANSAS.
Overnight school trips: SUCCESSFUL VETO OVERRIDE The House voted 85-39 to override the governor’s veto of legislation requiring school districts to adopt policies for overnight accommodations for students of each biological sex during school-sponsored trips. The Senate voted 30-9 to override the veto. The bill arose from a situation in Eudora last year when a female student was assigned to sleep in the same bed as a transgender student on a trip, although the school district’s superintendent has said that the trip was not school sponsored and was put together by an outside group. THIS IS NOW THE LAW IN KANSAS.
Human smuggling: SUCCESSFUL VETO OVERRIDE The House voted 85-39 to override the governor’s veto of a bill that creates the crime of human smuggling and aggravated human smuggling. The Senate voted 30-9 to override the veto. Supporters said the bill would allow prosecutors to bring cases against those transporting individuals against their will. Defense lawyers said the bill could infringe on due process rights for anyone smuggled illegally because a judge would have to find those who have been smuggled are here unlawfully. THIS IS NOW THE LAW IN KANSAS.
Abortion/liability coverage: FAILED VETO OVERRRIDE The House voted 84-40 to pass a bill that bars clinics that provide elective abortions from accessing liability coverage from the Health Care Stabilization Fund. The Senate failed to override the bill on a 25-15 vote.
Food assistance: SUCCESSFUL VETO OVERRIDE The House voted 84-40 to override Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a bill broadening the work and job-training requirements for older Kansans for food assistance. The bill requires someone 50 to 59 years old to work at least 30 hours per week or participate in a mandatory employment and training
program. There are a number of exceptions available. THIS IS NOW THE LAW IN KANSAS.
Gender affirming care: FAILED VETO OVERRIDE The Senate failed to override the Governor’s veto of a bill requiring state regulators to revoke the license of a physician who performs gender reassignment services for a child. The vote was 26-14, one vote short of an override. The bill also would have allowed lawsuits against physicians who provide gender reassignment services to children, including surgery, prescribing puberty-blocking medication or extraordinarily large doses of testosterone and estrogen. Kansas was in position to become the 15th state to restricting gender-affirming health care.
Higher education DEI: FAILED VETO OVERRIDE A budget measure preventing state universities from asking job applicants about diversity, equity and inclusion failed to survive in the House on Wednesday. The House came up five votes short of overriding Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a budget proviso barring state universities from demanding job applicants to articulate their experience or commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Parents bill of rights: FAILED VETO OVERRIDE The House failed to override the governor’s veto of a bill allowing parents to remove their children from lessons, classes or activities they think are objectionable The bill would have allowed students to be withdrawn from a program if it was not included in the approved district curriculum or state educational standards. A student also could have been withdrawn if the program violates the parents’ sincerely held beliefs, values or principles.
Taxes: FAILED VETO OVERRIDE The Kansas Senate on Wednesday afternoon narrowly failed to overturn Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a nearly $1.4 billion tax bill that would have moved the state to a single tax rate coupled with cuts in property taxes and an increase in the standard deduction. The Kansas Catholic Conference supports elimination of food
sales taxes, which are still online to take effect.
Educational Choice: TO BE DETERMINED! The House and Senate passed legislation now on the Governor’s desk that fully funds public education and slightly expands provisions of “school choice.” It is unclear if the Governor will sign this bill.
OTHER ISSUES WHERE WE ARE ADVOCATING FOR THE CATHOLIC CHURCH POSITION:
• Afghan Adjustment Act—working with Senator Jerry Moran to secure some sort of legal status for Afghans in Kansas who fled the country. Most were allies of the U.S. during our military mission there.
• Payday Loan Reform. The KCC is a leading part of a coalition that seeks legislation to reform (not eliminate) the predatory payday loan industry as it can hurt the stability of families.
• Walter Reed military hospital dropped Catholic Chaplains—seeking clarification via Senator Moran.
• Statute of Limitations (SOL) law in Kansas. This law extends the SOL on civil suits connected to child sexual abuse to age 31 plus other provisions.
• Abolish Death Penalty and pass Medicaid Expansion. Currently these are politically unattainable.
• Ask the Governor to sign SB 8, a bill that will provide tax relief and help for low-income seniors and veterans, PRC’s, disabled Kansans and others in need. Send an email to: correspondence@ks.gov
Rep. Marvin Robinson–the most courageous man in the Kansas Legislature
Newly elected to the Kansas Legislature, Marvin Robinson represents part of Kansas City, Kansas. After voting NO on the Save Women’s Sports bill early in the Session, he heard from his constituents, listened to his heart, and changed his mind. Robinson was the deciding vote on a veto override, but he paid a price. His colleagues denounced him as a “rogue” and “misguided” legislator, even slandering him publicly as a “house Negro.” He was threatened by leadership with a primary opponent if he didn’t fall in line. He told his colleagues he would continue to “vote my district,” and has been the deciding vote on several veto overrides on behalf of Life and The Family. He needs and deserves our thanks. Email:marvin.robinson@house.ks.gov