Legislative Report
Sine Die Outlook
The Kansas Legislature will return to Topeka on Wednesday, May 26 to officially close out the 2021 Legislative Session. Sine Die is typically a quick and strictly ceremonial adjournment of session. This year, however, some lawmakers will have at least one item of business on the agenda before they head home.
Senate Republicans will elect a new Majority Leader on Wednesday to replace Senator Gene Suellentrop (Wichita) who was voted out of that leadership position in April. It’s a three-way race between Assistant Majority Leader Larry Alley (Winfield), former Majority Leader Jeff Longbine (Emporia), and chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee Richard Hildebrand (Galena). If the caucus elects Senator Alley, Senator Renee Erickson (Wichita) is likely to be his replacement as Assistant Majority Leader.
It does not appear likely that the Legislature will attempt a veto override on Sine Die for either of the two bills or budget line item that Governor Kelly vetoed last week: Senate Bill 273, relief for small businesses affected by government shutdowns during the pandemic; Senate Bill 29, short-term, limited duration health plans; and Senate Bill 159, stem cell research funding in the omnibus budget, although the Senate is still discussing an override.
The Joint Committee on Information Technology and Legislative Coordinating Council are the only other bodies scheduled to meet on Wednesday.
