Weekly Look Ahead: Bills, budget proceedings and presentations

By Timothy R. Graham
KNEA Director of Government Relation

Week three of the 2026 legislative session continues at a brisk pace with multiple education-related measures scheduled for committee action and budget discussions.

This week, the Kansas National Education Association (KNEA) is watching several bills, including four education-related measures currently moving through the Kansas Legislature. These bills span educator definitions tied to scholarship eligibility, a bill on toilet-training requirements in public schools, changes to the free- and reduced-lunch program, and the state education budget.

On Thursday, Jan. 29, the House Committee on Education will hear testimony on two education-related bills at 1:30 p.m. in Room 218-N at the Statehouse:

HB 2487 – Expanding the Kansas Education Opportunity Scholarship Program Act

House Bill 2487 would expand the Kansas Education Opportunity Scholarship Program Act to include paraprofessionals. This bill was introduced Jan. 21, 2026, by the Committee on Education on behalf of the Kansas State Board of Regents (KBOR). It defines teacher and paraprofessional for purposes of eligibility for the scholarship under the Kansas Education Opportunity Scholarship Program.

HB 2486 - Kindergarten Enrollment Requirement

House Bill 2486 was introduced Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, by the Committee on Education after a request from Rep. Sherri Brantley. It would require children to be toilet trained to enroll in and attend kindergarten in any Kansas public school, with certain exceptions.

SB 387, budget proceedings and more

KNEA is watching Senate Bill 387, which would require school districts to verify the household gross earned income of students who qualify for free meals under the National School Lunch Program. The bill would require legislative authorization before districts could participate in certain federal assistance programs. There is a hearing in the House Government Efficiency Committee at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, in Room 144-S.

KNEA is following budget proceedings in both House and Senate Committees related to funding for the Kansas School for the Deaf.

The Kansas Teacher of the Year (KTOY) finalists and winner will make their annual visit to the Statehouse on Wednesday, Jan. 28, to present before a joint meeting of the House and Senate education committees. 

In addition, retired educators will be at the Statehouse, staffing a Retiree Ambassador welcome table on Tuesday, Jan. 27, and participating in several meetings throughout the week.

As committee hearings and budget discussions continue, KNEA will remain engaged at the Statehouse and keep members informed as the session moves forward. Follow along at www.ksutd.org.

Timothy R. Graham can be reached by email at timothy.graham@knea.org.