(April 10, 2025) – Today began the 2025 veto session. The shortened veto session will likely last until midday tomorrow, April 11. The following bills had vetoes by Governor Laura Kelly:

Senate Bill 5 relates to the Transparency in Revenues Underwriting Elections Act; prohibits the use of funds provided by the United States government for the conduct of elections and election-related activities unless approved by the legislature. The Senate voted 31-9 to override the veto. The House voted 87-37 to override the veto.

Senate Bill 14 provides for a continuous budget until amended, lapsed or eliminated by the legislature; provides temporary reallocations; establishes conditions and limitations therefor. The Senate voted 31-9 to override the veto. The House voted 85-39 to override the veto.

Senate Bill 29 removes the authorization for a county or joint board of health or local health officer to prohibit public gatherings when necessary for the control of infectious or contagious diseases. The Senate voted 31-9 to override the veto. The House voted 86-38 to override the veto.

Senate Bill 79 directs the secretary of the Kansas Department for Children and Families to request a waiver from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, allowing the state to prohibit the purchase of candy and soft drinks with food assistance. The Senate voted 29-11 to override the veto.

Senate Bill 125, fiscal year budget bill for FY 26, 27 and 28. Line-item vetoes included the following:

• Legislature AI Project
• Attorney General KEY Fund Transfer
• Pregnancy Compassion Awareness Program
• State Treasurer – Duplicative Talent Attraction Program
• Administration – Docking State Office Building
• Administration – Press Office Lease Costs
• Lottery – Legislative Interference in Sports Gaming
• Commerce – Purple UAS
• Commerce – Arts Commission Restrictions
• KDHE – Disease Control
• KDHE – Cerebral Palsy Research
• KDHE – Dental Services
• KDHE – 12-month Medicaid continuous eligibility
• KDADS – SPARK Funding Continuation
• KDADS – Lapsed Funding for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics
• KDADS – Larned Contract Staffing
• DCF – Interpreter Services
• Education – Online Curriculum
• Education – SparkWheel
• Education – Conditioning Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers Funding Increases
• K-State Extension
• WSU – Dentistry Feasibility Study
• KBOR – Scholarship Lapses
• Corrections – O'Connell Children's Shelter
• Kansas Bureau of Investigation – DNA Analysis
• State 911 Board – Mapping Grant Program
• State Finance Council – American Rescue Plan Act Funds
• State Finance Council – 2027 Grant Reductions
• State Finance Council – State Highway Fund
• K-State Bonding Authority
• KHP – Jabara Airport Hanger

The Senate voted 30-10 to override the line-item vetoes.

Senate Bill 269 relates to income and privilege taxes; provides that future tax rate decreases be contingent on exceeding revenue estimates and retains a certain amount in the Budget Stabilization Fund. The Senate voted 30-10 to override the veto. The House voted 87-37 to override the veto.

House Bill 2033 includes programs and services provided by nonprofit organizations accredited by the International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council as approved at-risk educational programs. The House voted 87-38 to override the veto. The Senate voted 31-9 to override the veto.

House Bill 2062 provides child support orders for unborn children from the date of conception, including the direct medical and pregnancy-related expenses of the mother as a factor in child support orders and provides for an income tax exemption for unborn children. The Senate voted 31-9 to override the veto.

House Bill 2217 expanding the scope of the inspector general to audit and investigate all state cash, food or health assistance programs and granting the inspector general the power to subpoena, administer oaths and execute search warrants thereto.

House Bill 2228 requires that a political subdivision hold an open meeting to discuss a contingency fee contract for legal services before approving such contract and requires the attorney general to approve such contracts.

House Bill 2240 requires legislative approval prior to any state agency seeking or implementing a public assistance program waiver or other authorization from the federal government that expands eligibility for any public assistance program, increases cost to the state or makes certain changes in services for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities and authorizes the Legislative Coordinating Council to act on agency requests when the legislature is not in session. The House voted 87-38 to override the veto. The Senate voted 31-9 to override the veto.

House Bill 2284 directs the Kansas Department of Administration to adopt written policies governing the negotiated procurement of managed care organizations to provide state Medicaid services pursuant to a contract with the Kansas Medical Assistance Program. The House voted to override the veto on a vote of 88-37. The Senate voted 30-10 to override the veto.

House Bill 2291 creates the Regulatory Relief Division within the office of the attorney general and establishes the general regulatory sandbox program to waive or suspend rules and regulations for program participants. The House voted 88-37 to override the veto. The Senate voted 30-10 to override the veto.

House Bill 2311 prohibits the secretary from adopting and enforcing policies for placement, custody and appointment of a custodian that may conflict with sincerely held religious or moral beliefs regarding sexual orientation or gender identity and creating a right of action for violations. The House voted 87-38 to override the veto. The Senate voted 31-9 to override the veto.

House Bill 2382 requires school districts to include a fetal development presentation as part of the curriculum for any course that addresses human growth, human development or human sexuality and authorizes the Kansas State Board of Education to establish the rate of compensation for members of the board. The House voted 84-41 to override the veto. The Senate voted 31-9 to override the veto.