(Jan. 27, 2026) - Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee met, chaired by Senator Beverly Gossage (R-Eudora). The committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 327. The bill would eliminate the statutory requirement that the Joint Robert G. (Bob) Bethell Committee meet in January and April to reflect the new legislative pace and schedule. The committee considered an amendment clarifying legislative intent and passed the bill favorably as amended. The legislation will now go to the full Senate for review. The committee also held a budget hearing on the Office of Veteran’s Services.

The committee will meet again tomorrow to hold hearings on Senate Bill 322, removing the state board of pharmacy’s authority to authorize individuals’ access to K-TRACS and Senate Bill 328, permitting a pharmacist to distribute pre-measured doses of epinephrine to a school for emergency medication kits.