2025-2026 Session Update
What to know prior to the session resuming Jan. 12th.
1/7/20262 min read
It has been a while since our last correspondence. I wanted to share a quick update and outline where outreach can be most effective as the Kansas legislative session resumes on January 12.
HB 2005 status
This is a continuation of last year’s effort. HB 2005 passed the House Tax Committee and is still positioned to reach the House floor for a vote at some point this session.
Bill page (House Tax Committee action and current status):
https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2005/
Who controls the floor calendar
The House Majority Leader, Chris Croft, is responsible for bringing bills “above the line” for floor consideration. The House Speaker, Dan Hawkins, directs overall priorities and influences which bills move forward.
Both have voiced concerns about potential financial costs and the inclusivity of the bill. Over the past five years, the bill’s inclusivity and the practical scope of its benefits have been reduced significantly.
Important: email delivery issues last year
Unfortunately, we ran into technical difficulties with our email correspondence to the legislature last year. Many of our messages were routed to spam and were not received as intended. Because of that, we need your help in voicing concerns directly as constituents so offices receive feedback from within their districts.
Where to focus outreach
Please keep your correspondence targeted to:
Your Kansas House Representative
House Majority Leader Chris Croft
House Speaker Dan Hawkins
(Contact information below.)
Need help finding your Kansas House Representative?
Use https://pluralpolicy.com/open/, search by address, and look for your “Lower Chamber” representative.
Media outreach
We believe engaging news agencies and local reporters to highlight concerns about the legislature’s approach and the impact on 100% disabled Veterans could be helpful this year. If you have a relationship with a reporter or can reach out to a news outlet, please do so. If you get a contact, feel free to send them our way as well.
Related note: Missouri is moving quickly in 2026
Missouri was close to passing a true 100% exemption for 100% disabled Veterans last year. We hope they are successful this year and that Kansas can join them, along with the other states that provide a total exemption for 100% disabled Veterans.
Missouri is hard at work this year with Veteran-focused bills that make it tempting to move across state lines. Below are some Missouri pre-filed bills for 2026:
Missouri House Bills
HB 2074 – Creates the “Missouri Disabled Veterans’ Dependents Tuition Waiver” to provide college tuition waivers for the children, stepchildren, and spouses of certain Veterans
HB 2089 – Authorizes the “Missouri Disabled Veterans Homestead Exemption”
HJR 113 – Proposes a constitutional amendment granting homestead and personal property tax exemptions to certain Veterans proportional to the Veteran’s disability rating
Missouri Senate Bills / Joint Resolutions
SB 1048 – Creates the “Missouri Disabled Veterans’ Dependents Tuition Waiver” to provide college tuition waivers for the children, stepchildren, and spouses of certain Veterans
SJR 77 (Mosley) – Authorizes a property tax exemption for disabled Veterans
SJR 88 (Carter) – Authorizes a property tax exemption for disabled Veterans
SJR 94 (Hudson) – Authorizes a property tax exemption for disabled Veterans
Thank you all for staying engaged. Please share any responses you receive so we can coordinate next steps.
Contact
Capitol Office
Room: 368-W
Seat: 2
Phone: 785 296-2302
Email: Dan.Hawkins@house.ks.gov
Other Contact Information
Phone: 316 371-1667
Email: Dan.Hawkins@house.ks.gov
Contact
Capitol Office
Room: 372-W
Seat: 3
Phone: 785 296-7662
Email: Chris.Croft@house.ks.gov
Other Contact Information
Phone: 913-279-1215
Email: Chris.Croft@house.ks.gov