All Roll Calls
Yes: 620 • No: 32
KansasHB 24852025–2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Authorizing the chief executive officer of the board of regents to negotiate and settle repayment obligations arising under financial aid programs administered by the board, providing requirements for agreements between postsecondary educational institutions and school districts for postsecondary courses taught in secondary schools, directing the governor to approve short-term workforce training programs for Pell grant eligibility, modifying requirements under the every child can read act and prohibiting Kansas promise scholarship awards for remedial hours.
Sponsored By: Committee on Education
Signed by Governor
senate committee on educationhouse committee on education
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
12 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 4 costs, 1 mixed.
More reading help for elementary students
Starting in 2027–2028, districts must create reading plans with parents for K–3 students rated high risk on fall screening. Plans must include at least 90 minutes of targeted reading help each week, diagnostic testing, and progress checks. Help continues until the student reaches grade level, and teachers must keep parents informed. Starting in 2029–2030, districts must provide a licensed reading specialist for every elementary school. Districts may hire specialists, use shared cooperative agreements, or contract for services.
Aid repayment debts block further funding
Starting July 1, 2026, people owing covered Kansas student aid repayments cannot receive more aid from Article 32 programs. The bar covers scholarships, grants, and other student aid under those programs. It applies while a person has a repayment obligation under a covered program or an agreement made through it.
Set pay for dual-credit school teachers
Starting July 1, 2026, new or renegotiated agreements set pay for district employees teaching college courses in secondary schools. In 2026–2027, colleges must pay districts $600 per credit hour as teacher salary supplements, covering up to 10 hours per semester. Pay may be prorated when fewer than eight students enroll. Colleges pay paid site coordinators directly, capped at $1,500 per semester. Both amounts adjust annually starting in 2027–2028 using the specified three-year Midwest inflation average. Colleges must buy instructional materials unavailable to districts; other cash or in-kind pay for these services during the normal school day is barred. Existing agreements remain unrestricted until renegotiated, and accredited independent institutions are excluded.
Free student tests and technical-degree credit
Starting July 1, 2026, the state must offer free, optional ACT and required WorkKeys career-readiness tests to grades 11–12. The ACT is limited to one administration, and ninth graders receive a free, optional pre-ACT. Colleges must count platinum, gold, or silver WorkKeys credentials toward technical degrees, along with similar credentials from similar assessments. Transfer credit follows American Council on Education recommendations; the law sets no fixed number of credits.
Pell grant path for workforce students
Starting July 1, 2026, the governor must approve workforce training programs meeting federal workforce Pell grant requirements. The governor consults the state workforce development board, which must create application and appeal processes. The board must coordinate approvals, prevent duplicate funding, and align available state and federal money. Federal law controls any conflict, and state approval does not guarantee any student a grant.
Promise scholarships cannot pay remedial costs
Starting July 1, 2026, Kansas Promise Scholarship awards cannot pay for remedial courses. The ban also covers remedial hours included in a corequisite course taken alongside college-level work. Students must use another funding source to cover those remedial costs.
Lower reading training burdens for educators
State education boards must make literacy training and credential courses available at low or no cost to Kansas-licensed, practicing teachers. Ongoing low- or no-cost learning also covers reading specialists, special education teachers, aides, school psychologists, and school leaders. Courses must come from national online learning programs or accredited Kansas colleges. Retired and substitute teachers are exempt from required science-of-reading, structured-literacy, and seal-of-literacy training.
State can settle student aid debts
Starting July 1, 2026, the Kansas Board of Regents chief executive can negotiate and settle covered student aid repayment debts. This covers Article 32 scholarships, grants, other student aid, and agreements made through those programs. Settlements are discretionary: the law guarantees neither a settlement nor a debt reduction.
Schools must use science-based reading methods
The State Board of Education must require structured literacy based on the science of reading and ban discredited teaching methods. Districts cannot use materials based mainly on three-cueing, including MVS, or visual memory to teach word recognition. Starting in 2027–2028, districts must use one statewide screening tool recommended in the literacy implementation plan due June 1, 2026. They may also use other screening and assessment tools approved by their school board or the state education department.
State boards take charge of reading goals
The law removes the literacy advisory committee's former responsibility for teacher-credential and student-achievement targets. It assigns literacy goals to the Board of Regents and State Board of Education instead. The 2030 goal is for all Kansas special education, English-language learner, and elementary teachers to earn science-of-reading and structured-literacy credentials. The 2033 goal is for at least 90% of students in each grade, 3–8, to reach level 3 or higher in English language arts. Results and related data must be broken out by grade and defined student groups.
Teachers face required reading practice hours
Applicants for pre-K–8 general or special education teaching licenses must complete at least 45 hours of literacy practice in schools. The practice covers reading assessment, lesson planning, and evidence-based teaching. Reading specialists must also complete at least 45 hours using assessment tools, data, and evidence-based practices. Their practice must be supervised by a literacy expert certified in structured literacy.
Stronger reading standards for teacher colleges
Teacher-preparation programs must show candidates can assess reading, interpret data, and use literacy screening. State institutions must show their programs use only science-of-reading and evidence-based practices. Colleges and the Board of Regents jointly oversee literacy courses, including explicit coursework in learning science, reading science, and structured literacy. They must review course plans at least every three years for accreditation and show at least 80% of future teachers pass an approved literacy licensure exam. Practicum supervisors must show expertise in structured literacy, evidence-based practices, and supervision.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Committee on Education
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 25 Nay: 15
Yes: 25 • No: 15
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 123 Nay: 0
Yes: 123 • No: 0
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 39 Nay: 0
Yes: 39 • No: 0
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 123 Nay: 1
Yes: 123 • No: 1
House vote • 3/27/2026
Conference Committee Report was adopted
Yes: 123 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/27/2026
Conference Committee Report was adopted
Yes: 39 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/19/2026
Emergency Final Action - Passed as amended
Yes: 25 • No: 15
House vote • 2/18/2026
Final Action - Passed
Yes: 123 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Engrossed on Tuesday, March 31, 2026
4/9/2026HouseEnrolled and presented to Governor on Friday, April 3, 2026
4/9/2026HouseApproved by Governor on Thursday, April 9, 2026
4/9/2026HouseConference committee report now available
3/27/2026SenateConference Committee Report was adopted; Yea 39, Nay 0, Absent 1
3/27/2026SenateConference Committee Report was adopted; Yea 123, Nay 0, Absent 2
3/27/2026HouseMotion to accede adopted; Sen. Renee Erickson, Sen. Adam Thomas and Sen. Dinah Sykes appointed as conferees
3/24/2026SenateNonconcurred with amendments; Conference Committee requested; appointed Rep. Susan Estes, Rep. Kyle McNorton and Rep. Jerry Stogsdill
3/23/2026HouseCommittee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
3/19/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
3/19/2026SenateEmergency Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea 25, Nay 15
3/19/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Passed over and retain a place on the calendar
3/18/2026SenateCommittee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Senate Committee on Education
3/17/2026SenateHearing: Thursday, March 12, 2026, 1:30 PM — Room 144-S
3/12/2026SenateReferred to Senate Committee on Education
2/19/2026SenateFinal Action - Passed; Yea 123, Nay 1, Absent 1
2/18/2026HouseReceived and Introduced
2/18/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Be passed
2/17/2026HouseCommittee Report recommending bill be passed by House Committee on Education
2/6/2026HouseHearing: Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 1:30 PM — Room 218-N
2/4/2026HouseHearing: Thursday, January 29, 2026, 1:30 PM — Room 218-N
1/29/2026HouseIntroduced
1/21/2026HouseReferred to House Committee on Education
1/21/2026House
Bill Text
As Amended by Senate Committee
As Introduced
Enrolled
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