How a Bill Becomes Law The Kansas Legislature consists of Two Houses—The House of Representatives (125 members) and the Senate (40 members). A bill may be introduced in either house.
Legislature conduct most legislative business in committees. Although committees are not mentioned in the Kansas Constitution, each chamber may determine the rules of its proceedings, including the creation of committees, and the two chambers may adopt joint rules on certain matters.
What is a Journal?
House Senate
Article 2 Section 10 of the Kansas Constitution requires the House of Representatives and the Senate to publish a journal of its proceedings. Journals are the official record of chamber activities and are an important source of legislative information but are not a verbatim record. Both chambers publish a journal for every day they are in session. Information in the journal includes: roll call votes; explanations of votes by members; actions on bills and resolutions including amendments; communications from the Governor and agencies; certain recorded comments made by members relating to congratulatory resolutions, recognitions or other events; and other material reflecting the activity of the chamber. The Senate journal includes actions on certain appointments by the Governor, state agencies and leadership of the House and Senate. The journal is required to contain the votes on the final passage of every bill and concurrent resolutions addressing state constitutional amendments or ratification of the US Constitution. After each yearly session, the daily journals of each chamber are compiled and published, along with summary information, as a House or Senate Permanent Journal.
What is a Calendar?
House Senate
The Senate and House calendars are published daily during the session and are available online the previous evening. The calendars act as the agenda for each session setting the order of business and showing the status of all bills including bills in committee. The calendar shows the particular order for bills and resolutions to be taken up under such headings as General Orders or Final Action. Items included in the calendar are dictated by the rules of the Senate and House. The calendar lists a weekly schedule of all standing, subcommittee and joint committee meetings. Appointments appear only in the Senate Calendar.
Ethics Commission
The Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission (GEC) is charged with administering, interpreting and enforcing the Campaign Finance Act and laws relating to conflict of interests, financial disclosure and the regulation of lobbying. These laws establish the public’s right to information about the financial affairs of Kansas’ public officials, lobbyists and candidates for office. In addition, the GEC renders advisory opinions and can adopt rules and regulations under a less comprehensive conflict of interests law covering local government officials and employees. View Campaign Finance Reports of Candidates, PACs, and Political Party
Lobbying
Kansas law recognizes that the right of organized as well as unorganized interests to influence governmental policy is an integral part of the American and Kansas political process. Lobbyist Directory
Tax Facts 2016 Supplement to the Eighth Edition