Senate Judiciary Committee hears testimony on amendment to let legislature revise or revoke administrative rules

At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, proponents urged support for House Concurrent Resolution 5,008, a proposed constitutional amendment that would add a new section to Article II of the Kansas Constitution allowing the Legislature to revise or revoke administrative rules and regulations by concurrent resolution and, if adopted, send that amendment to the voters at a special election on Aug. 4, 2026.

Proponents said the measure would restore a clearer separation of powers and give elected legislators a direct check on executive-branch rulemaking. Eric Stafford, vice president for government affairs at the Kansas Chamber, said the resolution would ensure agencies do not “go above and beyond legislative intent” and cited examples he said were inappropriate regulatory changes, including proposed changes to workers’ compensation wage formulas and a Department of Transportation rule on two-person train crews. "If you want that done, go through the legislature," Stafford said.

The measure joins recent statutory reforms, supporters said. Stafford pointed to a 2018 requirement for economic-impact statements and last year’s REINS Act, which requires legislative…