Education

in committee · Kansas · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 2140: Creating the drug abuse resistance education (D.A.R.E.) educator position.

HB 2140 creates a statewide Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) educator position within the Attorney General's office. This position must provide approved drug education curriculum - including specific content on fentanyl and opioids - to public elementary and secondary schools in Kansas. The D.A.R.E. educator is required to report annually to the legislature about curriculum changes and list the public schools participating in the program. The bill directly affects Kansas public schools and students by mandating this standardized drug education program under state oversight.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates drug education curriculum in K-12 schools, directly enhancing student program access and safety initiatives per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Teachers

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2011: Decreasing the rate of ad valorem tax imposed by a school district, increasing the extent of exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy and providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund.

HB 2011 lowers the property tax rate for Kansas school districts from 20 mills to 18.5 mills for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years, and establishes a new formula to maintain revenue levels starting in 2026-2027 based on current property valuations. It directly affects residential property owners by increasing their exemption from the statewide school levy, reducing their taxable property value. The bill also requires school districts to remit all tax proceeds (except for specific bond payments) to the state school district finance fund. These changes aim to reduce local tax burdens while maintaining funding stability for public schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesLowers school district property tax rate for residential owners, increasing tax exemptions and reducing taxable value - direct tax relief for homeowners.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill lowers school district property tax rate (20 to 18.5 mills) and increases residential exemptions, directly reducing school funding revenue without explicit compensation measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax School Funding

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2104: Standardizing firearm safety programs in school districts.

HB 2104 requires Kansas school districts to use state-established curriculum guidelines for firearm safety education programs if they choose to offer them. It mandates specific, age-appropriate programs: kindergarten through fifth grade must use the NRA's Eddie Eagle Gunsafe program, sixth through eighth grade may choose between Eddie Eagle or the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks' Hunter Education in Our Schools program, and ninth through twelfth grade must use Hunter Education in Our Schools. The bill standardizes these offerings across districts to ensure consistent safety education on firearm accident prevention and response. School districts are not required to implement these programs but must follow the state guidelines if they do. The law takes effect upon publication in the statutes.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationMandates specific curriculum for firearm safety programs, restricting district choice on educational content per bill's requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Safety

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passed · Kansas · Senate Mar 21, 2025

SB 87: Expanding student eligibility under the tax credit for low income students scholarship program, increasing the amount of the tax credit for contributions made pursuant to such program and providing for aggregate tax credit limit increases under certain conditions.

SB 87 expands Kansas' tax credit program for low-income student scholarships by removing the requirement that students must have previously attended a public school. It increases the tax credit rate for donors from 70% to 75% for tax years starting in 2023, while maintaining an annual scholarship cap of $8,000 per student. The bill directly affects low-income students (including those in foster care, military families, or with parents in emergency services) and scholarship organizations by broadening eligibility and making contributions more valuable for donors. Key mechanisms include eliminating prior public school enrollment as a requirement and raising the credit rate to encourage greater private funding for educational scholarships.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax credit for low-income student scholarships, increasing donor incentives from 70% to 75% and broadening eligibility, directly supporting tax-based funding mechanisms.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tax credit for low-income student scholarships by removing public school attendance requirement and increasing donor tax credit rate, boosting access and funding for disadvantaged students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits School Choice Student Financial Aid

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2295: Providing state general funds for school meals programs and prohibiting local boards from collecting money for such meals.

HB 2295 increases state funding for school meal programs in Kansas by raising reimbursements from $0.06 to $0.40 per reduced-price meal served starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It directly affects local school districts and students qualifying for reduced-price meals by requiring the state to cover the full cost, prohibiting school boards from charging these students for meals. The bill amends state law to replace the previous reimbursement rate and explicitly bans local fees for reduced-price meals under this program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state appropriations for school meals by raising reimbursements from $0.06 to $0.40 per meal, prohibiting local fees. Directly funds essential public service.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases state funding for school meals (reimbursement hike) and prohibits fees for qualifying students, directly advancing educational access and equity in K-12 programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases state funding for school meals (a public health program) and removes fees for qualifying students, improving access to nutritious food for children.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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signed · Kansas · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 2299: Senate Substitute for Substitute for HB2299 by Committee on Education - Providing that certain statutory references to accredited nonpublic schools mean nonpublic schools accredited by the state board of education, requiring that schools accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency shall have the same rights as schools accredited by the state board, requiring school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to prohibit the use of personal electronic communication devices during the school day and prohibiting employees of a school district from using social media to communicate with students for official school purposes.

HB 2299 prohibits public educational institutions in Kansas (including K-12 schools, community colleges, and state universities) from engaging in religious discrimination or promoting antisemitism. It defines antisemitism using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s 2016 definition, covering acts like threatening violence against Jewish people or allowing antisemitic curriculum. The attorney general can investigate complaints, subpoena evidence, and impose civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation for institutions that violate the law. The bill explicitly excludes religious education coursework from the prohibition.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits antisemitism in schools, protecting students and staff from discrimination, aligning with educational safety and inclusion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 142: Authorizing each school district to include a teacher representative as a nonvoting member of such district's board of education.

SB 142 allows Kansas school districts to add a licensed teacher as a nonvoting member on their board of education. The teacher must be elected by fellow teachers in the district and serve a two-year term, with possible re-election for one additional term. School districts decide whether to implement this, and the teacher representative cannot participate in teacher contract negotiations. The bill amends Kansas statutes to formally authorize this position within existing school board structures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables teacher representation on school boards for input, supporting teacher involvement in governance without voting power, aligning with educational support indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 252: Expanding the tax credit for low income students scholarship program act to allow certain high school students and students eligible to be enrolled in certain school districts to be eligible for scholarships, increasing the tax credit for contributions and the aggregate tax credit limit, providing for aggregate tax credit increases under certain conditions and providing for program administration by the state treasurer.

SB 252 expands Kansas' low-income student scholarship program to include specific high school students and those eligible to attend school districts with low standardized test scores (under 50% meeting achievement levels). It increases tax credits for donors and raises the annual program limit, while keeping scholarships capped at $8,000 per student. The state treasurer will now manage program administration, and new eligibility rules allow current scholarship recipients (who haven’t graduated or turned 21) and students in qualifying districts to participate. This directly affects low-income families seeking educational options through tax-credit-funded scholarships.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax credits for donors to fund low-income student scholarships, increasing tax incentives and program funding limits while targeting underserved students.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship access for low-income students in underperforming districts, increasing educational opportunity and funding through tax credits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid Testing & Assessment

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 275: Requiring 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.

SB 275 requires Kansas public school districts to include a specific fetal development presentation in any course covering human growth, development, or sexuality. The presentation must be a 3-minute computer animation or ultrasound showing early brain, heart, and organ development. This mandate applies directly to all K-12 school districts offering these courses, requiring them to add this content to their curriculum. The bill does not alter existing course content but adds this specific requirement for all affected classes.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationMandates fetal development content in human growth courses, restricting curriculum flexibility and academic freedom.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 101: Creating the drug abuse resistance education (D.A.R.E.) educator position.

SB 101 creates a new statewide "D.A.R.E. Educator" position within the Kansas Attorney General's office. This role directly affects public elementary and secondary schools across Kansas by requiring the educator to provide drug abuse prevention instruction using an attorney general-approved curriculum, specifically including content on fentanyl and opioids. The bill mandates the educator to report annually to the legislature about curriculum changes and list all public schools participating in the program. The position is funded through available appropriations and becomes effective upon publication in the statute book.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates drug prevention education program in K-12 schools via new D.A.R.E. Educator position, enhancing student programs without restricting curriculum.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Teachers

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