Kansas House advances dozen-plus bills, adopts constitutional amendment on agency rules

TOPEKA — The Kansas House on Feb. 20 completed final action on a wide package of bills and adopted a proposed constitutional amendment that would give the Legislature a formal mechanism to revoke administrative rules adopted by executive-branch agencies.

House members spent much of the day on routine final actions by roll call, but several bills produced extended debate, amendments and sharply divided votes.

The most contested measure was House Concurrent Resolution 5008, a proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution that would let the Legislature adopt a concurrent resolution to revise or revoke administrative rules and regulations. Supporters described the change as a restoration of legislative oversight over what they call rulemaking by unelected officials. Representative Ron Wasinger, chief sponsor in the House, said the amendment would let elected legislators “stop legislating by regulation.” Opponents characterized the proposal as a partisan power shift that would weaken separation of powers and could inject the Legislature into technical or time-sensitive administrative matters. Representative Osman said the plan was “usurping power from the executive branch.” The resolution passed the House 86 to 37.

The House also debated and amended a number of other bills that drew extended discussion:

- Concealed-carry and licensing (House Bill 2,052). Representative Blake Carpenter said the bill “fixes that loophole that was never the intent of the law,” referring to a statutory quirk that had prevented people who obtained a provisional concealed-carry license at age 18–20 from converting to the standard license when they turned 21. The bill added a notification requirement and other technical changes and passed 108 to 15.

- Medicaid plan approvals and legislative oversight (House Bill 22 40). The bill requires that significant changes to the state Medicaid program — including state plan amendments and major waivers that expand coverage or increase state costs — be approved by the Legislature or, when the Legislature is not in session, by the Legislative Coordinating Council. Supporters said the measure gives the Legislature a stronger role in tracking major changes to KanCare and IDD services. Opponents warned it could create bottlenecks and disrupt federally required program changes. The House approved the bill 89 to 34.

- Guardianship and conservatorship overhaul (House Bill 23 59). The bill incorporates updates recommended by the Kansas Judicial Council to require person-centered guardianship plans, more frequent review, and additional procedural protections for end-of-life decisions. The House adopted the measure 89 to 34 after debate about the balance between family/guardian authority and protections for vulnerable adults.

- Topeka inspection authority for certain HUD-subsidized housing (House Bill 20 99). The bill gives the city of Topeka limited authority to conduct interior code inspections of private residential properties that receive direct HUD subsidy when occupants refuse access; it includes notice requirements and a sunset date of July 1, 2030. Representative Cesar Alcala described conditions at one complex that prompted the measure, saying, “There was 8 to 12 inches of sewage water in 4 of the units.” The measure passed 111 to 12.

- Prohibition on local guaranteed-income programs using taxpayer funds (House Bill 21 01, as amended). The House passed language that forbids cities and counties from implementing recurring guaranteed-income programs using public funds unless the Legislature approves them. The amendment clarified that privately funded one‑time payments would not be barred; the bill passed 86 to 37.

Votes at a glance (selected final actions recorded Feb. 20): - HCR 5008 (constitutional amendment on rules/regulations): passed 86–37. - HB 2,052 (concealed-carry provisions; provisional→standard license notice & revocation language): passed 108–15. - HB 22 40 (require legislative approval for certain Medicaid waivers/state plan amendments; LCC role when Legislature not in session): passed 89–34. - HB 23 59 (Guardianship/Conservatorship Act, updated procedures and person-centered planning): passed 89–34. - HB 20 99 (Topeka HUD-subsidized housing inspection pilot, sunset 07/01/2030): passed 111–12. - HB 21 01 (prohibit taxpayer‑funded local guaranteed‑income programs unless Legislature approves): passed 86–37. - HB 22 22 (ignition-interlock device manufacturer fee and IID fund): passed 123–0. - Multiple other agency, education, corrections, health, and local-government bills were read and declared passed by roll call during the session; several of those recorded roll-call tallies were unanimous (123–0) or near-unanimous. (See Clerk’s desk record for the full set of bills acted on Feb. 20.)

What the votes mean Supporters of legislative oversight amendments and the Medicaid approval language described them as restoring accountability and ensuring elected lawmakers see and weigh the fiscal and policy consequences of major program changes. Opponents warned both measures could slow or block federally required changes, disrupt service continuity, or transfer technical decisions to a political process.

For other bills, including concealed-carry licensing and the Topeka inspection pilot, debate focused on correcting perceived statutory gaps (Carpenter on concealed-carry), balancing local control with protections for vulnerable residents (Topeka inspectors), and crafting narrow, time-limited pilots where lawmakers expect to revisit the issue.

Next steps Most bills passed by the House will be transmitted to the Senate for consideration. HCR 5008, if approved by the Senate, would go to the ballot for a voter decision because it is a proposed constitutional amendment. Several items adopted in committee or as floor amendments include sunset dates or reporting requirements that will bring them back to the Legislature for follow-up.

Reported speakers and sources Representative Ron Wasinger (House sponsor of HCR 5008), Representative Blake Carpenter (carrier of HB 2,052), Representative Cesar Alcala (Topeka; spoke on HB 20 99), Representative Bergkamp (sponsor of HB 22 40), Representative Laura Williams (sponsor of HB 23 59).