The Johnson County Board of Commissioners voted 6-1 to adopt its 2026 federal and state legislative platforms after staff highlighted additions and commissioners discussed priorities for the coming legislative session.

County staff said the federal platform now lists treatment-in-place Medicare reimbursement as an action item after a bill was recently introduced, and staff offered that the chair could send a letter supporting extension of Affordable Care Act premium subsidies to the county's congressional delegation as a timely alternative to waiting until February.

Commissioners raised several priorities during the discussion. Commissioner Hanslick noted the platform's support for Older Americans Act reauthorization and increased funding, citing a rise in demand for nutrition services among older residents. Commissioner Burr warned that HUD had not released a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) in 2025 for homelessness-related grants, which could jeopardize roughly $1,061,000 in countywide funding that typically competes on an annual cycle.

Steven Durst, a consultant for Federico Durst Consulting, gave a preview of the 2026 legislative environment and emphasized that the session will be short (90 calendar days) and heavily focused on the state budget and property-tax issues.

Commissioner Allen Brand moved adoption of the platforms, Commissioner Brewer seconded, and the clerk recorded a 6-1 vote with Commissioner Ashcraft opposed. The board directed staff to continue engagement with the county's delegation and to use coalition channels to convey urgent funding concerns to state and federal representatives.

Next steps: staff will draft any timely letters (for example, on ACA subsidies) and schedule follow-up with the delegation to discuss HUD NOFO impacts and other emergent items.