House Elections Committee advances bill setting party-based replacement process for statewide vacancies; also approves two federal-funds measures

The House Elections Committee on its final meeting day of the 2025 session voted to report Senate Bill 105 as amended, advancing a new process for filling vacancies in the U.S. Senate and certain statewide offices that requires the governor to appoint a replacement from the same political party as the departing official and sets party-membership and committee-selection rules.

The measure, as amended, was approved after lawmakers debated who should choose replacement candidates, how long a person must have been affiliated with a party to qualify, and the size and partisan makeup of the panel that nominates candidates. Committee members also passed Senate Bill 5 and Senate Bill 6, measures concerning acceptance and expenditure of federal funds by state and local governments; both received similar amendments changing the bill—nacting language to take effect upon publication in the Kansas Register.

Supporters said SB 105 restores voters nd legislative voices in selecting replacements and prevents last-minute partisan switches to qualify appointees. Opponents said the bill concentrates power in a committee dominated by the majority and risks…