Douglas County reviews draft 2026 legislative platform, asks staff to return revisions Dec. 3

Douglas County commissioners spent the Nov. 12 business meeting reviewing a draft 2026 legislative statement prepared by county staff with Little Government Relations.

Jake Broadbent, assistant to the county administrator, said the document is a draft and solicited commissioner feedback before staff returns a final version for approval. Stuart Little of Little Government Relations described the platform as “largely the same” as last year but trimmed and said it addresses likely 2026 topics including property-tax proposals and housing initiatives.

Commissioners pressed staff to tighten language defending home rule and to explicitly note how tax‑lid proposals could reduce local services. “I would advocate for maybe a little stronger language around tax lids and very specifically what that will impact,” said the presiding commissioner.

The panel discussed housing items referenced in the platform, including measures to limit how long eviction records remain public and proposals focused on habitability standards and clarifying when the Kansas Consumer Protection Act applies to landlord‑tenant disputes. Stuart Little said some housing measures are still in draft legislation and may take another year or two to reach a vote.

Commissioners also debated whether to flag redistricting as a concern for the platform, saying any language should be coordinated with the region’s inter‑county group and carefully worded to reflect impacts on constituents. Several members asked staff to help draft suggested wording.

The commission directed staff to return a revised platform to the Dec. 3 agenda for formal approval and encouraged commissioners to submit edits before that meeting.