(Jan. 27, 2026) - Yesterday, the House Social Services Budget Committee met, chaired by Representative Dave Buehler (R-Lansing). The committee began work on the State Hospital budgets. The committee restored contract nursing staffing expenses for the state hospitals. The committee also heard an overview of the Governor’s recommendations for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and legislative budget changes, including add-on funds for inpatient adult behavioral health beds. The agency reviewed its changes, and the committee is slated to hear from the public on requests for enhancements to the KDHE budget.