Kansas State House

Kansas  State House

Summary

The Kansas House of Representatives is the lower house of the legislature of the U.S. state of Kansas. Composed of 125 state representatives from districts with roughly equal populations of at least 19,000, its members are responsible for crafting and voting on legislation, helping to create a state budget, and legislative oversight over state agencies.

Representatives are elected to a two-year term. The Kansas House of Representatives does not have term limits. The legislative session convenes at the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka annually.

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Wikipedia

The Kansas House of Representatives is the lower house of the legislature of the U.S. state of Kansas. Composed of 125 state representatives from districts with roughly equal populations of at least 19,000, its members are responsible for crafting and voting on legislation, helping to create a state budget, and legislative oversight over state agencies. Representatives are elected to two-year terms. The Kansas House of Representatives does not have term limits. The legislative session convenes at the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka annually.

History

On January 29, 1861, President James Buchanan authorized Kansas to become the 34th state of United States, a free state. The ratification of the Kansas Constitution created the Kansas House of Representatives as the lower house of the state legislature.

Members of the Kansas House voted to impeach Governor Charles L. Robinson in 1862, but the impeachment trial did not lead to his conviction and removal of office.[1] The Kansas Senate did vote to impeach the secretary of state and state auditor for the unlawful sale of bonds, but only three state senators voted for the governor's impeachment.[1]

The Kansas House of Representatives in 1905

In 1870, the Kansas House of Representatives first met at the Kansas State Capitol, which was not officially completed until 1903.[2]

Populists and Republicans both claimed control of the Kansas House of Representatives in 1893, with the Populists accusing the Republican Party of election fraud.[3] The dispute led to separate Populist-led and Republican-led Houses in 1893 until the Kansas Supreme Court sided with the Republicans and the Populist-led House disbanded.[3]

In 1888, Alfred B. Fairfax became the first African American elected to the House. He served as chairman of the House Committee on Immigration.[4]

In 1918, Minnie J. Grinstead became the first female elected to the House.[5]

In 1966, the state legislature began to hold annual general sessions and a constitutional amendment adopted at the 1974 general election extended the duration of the session held in the even-numbered years to 90 calendar days, subject to extension by a vote of two-thirds of the elected membership of each house.[6]

United States presidential candidate Bob Dole, the 1996 Republican nominee, began his political career with a two-year term in the Kansas House of Representatives after his election in 1950.[7]

Legislative procedure

State representatives introduce a proposed law in the Kansas House of Representatives in the form of a bill, which must be approved by a standing committee, the Committee of the Whole and the entire membership of the chamber.[8] Other state representatives can amend a bill in committee or on the floor of the chamber.[8]

A bill must be approved by both houses of the Kansas Legislature in order to be submitted to the governor, who can sign it into law or veto the bill.[8] State legislators can override the veto with the support of two-thirds majority of both houses.[8]

Party composition

Republicans have controlled the chamber for all but six years since statehood, and without interruption since 1993. The GOP presently holds a supermajority in the chamber. The following is the official make-up for the 2025–2026 session:

AffiliationParty
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
RepublicanDemocraticIndependentVacant
Begin 2021863811250
February 8, 2021[9]863901250
Begin 2023854001250
Begin 2025883701250
Latest voting share70%30%0%
Map of current (2024) partisan composition of Kansas House of Representatives:
  Republican Party
  Democratic Party

[needs update]

Leadership

The Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives is the leader of the chamber and is elected by his fellow state representatives.[8] The speaker presides over the legislative process on the floor of the chamber or appoints a presiding officer. The speaker decides the committee structure.[8] The majority and minority leaders, are elected by their respective party caucuses relative to their party's strength in the chamber.

Officers

PositionNamePartyDistrict
Speaker of the HouseDaniel HawkinsRepublican100
Speaker Pro TemBlake Carpenter81
Majority LeaderChris Croft8
Assistant Majority LeaderKyle Hoffman116
Majority WhipNick Hoheisel97
Majority Caucus ChairKristey Williams77
Minority LeaderBrandon WoodardDemocratic108
Assistant Minority LeaderMike Amyx45
Minority WhipJo Ella Hoye17
Minority Caucus ChairBarbara Ballard44
Minority Agenda ChairJerry Stogsdill21
Minority Policy ChairDan Osman48

Members of the Kansas House of Representatives

DistrictRepresentativePartyResidenceFirst Elected
1Dale HelwigRepublicanColumbus2024
2Ken CollinsRepublicanMulberry2018
3Chuck SmithRepublicanPittsburg2014
4Ricky JamesRepublicanLa Cygne2024
5Carrie BarthRepublicanBaldwin City2022
6Samantha Poetter ParshallRepublicanPaola2020
7Dan GoddardRepublicanParsons2022
8Chris CroftRepublicanOverland Park2018
9Fred GardnerRepublicanGarnett2022
10Suzanne WikleDemocraticLawrence2024
11Ron BryceRepublicanCoffeyville2022
12Doug BlexRepublicanIndependence2016
13Duane DrogeRepublicanEureka2022
14Charlotte EsauRepublicanOlathe2024
15Lauren BohiRepublicanOlathe2024
16Linda FeatherstonDemocraticOverland Park2020
17Jo Ella HoyeDemocraticLenexa2020
18Cindy NeighborDemocraticShawnee2002
19Stephanie ClaytonDemocraticOverland Park2012
20Mari-Lynn PoskinDemocraticLeawood2020
21Jerry StogsdillDemocraticPrairie Village2016
22Lindsay VaughnDemocraticOverland Park2020
23Susan RuizDemocraticShawnee2018
24Jarrod OusleyDemocraticMerriam2014
25Rui XuDemocraticWestwood2018
26Chip VanHoudenRepublicanSpring Hill2024
27Sean TarwaterRepublicanStilwell2016
28Carl TurnerRepublicanLeawood2020
29Heather MeyerDemocraticOverland Park2020
30Laura WilliamsRepublicanLenexa2022
31Louis RuizDemocraticKansas City2004
32Pam CurtisDemocraticKansas City2014
33Mike ThompsonRepublicanBonner Springs2022
34Valdenia WinnDemocraticKansas City2000
35Wanda Brownlee PaigeDemocraticKansas City2024
36Lynn MeltonDemocraticKansas City2022
37Melissa OropezaDemocraticKansas City2022
38Timothy H. JohnsonRepublicanBasehor2020
39Angela StiensRepublicanShawnee2024
40David BuehlerRepublicanLansing2022
41Pat ProctorRepublicanLeavenworth2020
42Lance NeellyRepublicanTonganoxie2020
43Bill SuttonRepublicanGardner2012
44Barbara BallardDemocraticLawrence1992
45Mike AmyxDemocraticLawrence2018
46Brooklynne MosleyDemocraticLawrence2024
47Ronald EllisRepublicanMeriden2016
48Dan OsmanDemocraticOverland Park2020
49Nikki McDonaldDemocraticOlathe2023
50Kyle McNortonRepublicanTopeka2023
51Megan SteeleRepublicanManhattan2024
52Jesse BorjonRepublicanTopeka2020
53Kirk HaskinsDemocraticTopeka2022
54Ken CorbetRepublicanTopeka2012
55Tobias SchlingensiepenDemocraticTopeka2022
56Virgil WeigelDemocraticTopeka2012
57John AlcalaDemocraticTopeka2012
58Alexis SimmonsDemocraticTopeka2024
59Rebecca SchmoeRepublicanOttawa2022
60Mark SchreiberRepublicanEmporia2016
61Francis AwerkampRepublicanSt. Marys2016
62Sean WillcottRepublicanHolton2024
63Allen ReavisRepublicanAtchison2024
64Lewis BloomRepublicanClay Center2022
65Shawn ChaunceyRepublicanJunction City2024
66Sydney CarlinDemocraticManhattan2002
67Angelina RoeserRepublicanManhattan2024
68Nathan ButlerRepublicanJunction City2022
69Clarke SandersRepublicanSalina2020
70Scott HillRepublicanAbilene2022
71Steven HoweRepublicanSalina2020
72Avery AndersonRepublicanNewton2020
73Rick WilbornRepublicanMcPherson2024
74Mike KingRepublicanHesston2024
75Will CarpenterRepublicanEl Dorado2012
76Bradley BarrettRepublicanOsage City2024
77Kristey WilliamsRepublicanAugusta2014
78Robyn EssexRepublicanOlathe2022
79Webster RothRepublicanWinfield2022
80Bill RhileyRepublicanWellington2018
81Blake CarpenterRepublicanDerby2014
82Leah HowellRepublicanDerby2022
83Henry HelgersonDemocraticEastborough1982
84Ford CarrDemocraticWichita2022
85Patrick PennRepublicanWichita2020
86Silas MillerDemocraticWichita2022
87Susan EstesRepublicanWichita2020
88Sandy PickertRepublicanWichita2022
89KC OhaebosimDemocraticWichita2018
90Steve HuebertRepublicanValley Center2024
91Emil BergquistRepublicanPark City2022
92John CarmichaelDemocraticWichita2012
93Brian BergkampRepublicanWichita2020
94Leo DelperdangRepublicanWichita2018
95Tom SawyerDemocraticWichita1986
96Tom KesslerRepublicanWichita2020
97Nick HoheiselRepublicanWichita2018
98Cyndi HowertonRepublicanWichita2020
99Susan HumphriesRepublicanWichita2016
100Daniel HawkinsRepublicanWichita2012
101Joe SeiwertRepublicanPretty Prairie2008
102Kyler SweelyRepublicanHutchinson2024
103Angela MartinezDemocraticWichita2022
104Paul WaggonerRepublicanHutchinson2018
105Jill WardRepublicanWichita2024
106Lisa MoserRepublicanWheaton2020
107Dawn WolfRepublicanBennington2024
108Brandon WoodardDemocraticLenexa2018
109Troy WaymasterRepublicanBunker Hill2012
110Ken RahjesRepublicanAgra2014
111Barb WasingerRepublicanHays2018
112Sherri BrantleyRepublicanGreat Bend2024
113Brett FairchildRepublicanSt. John2020
114Kevin SchwertfegerRepublicanTuron2024
115Gary WhiteRepublicanAshland2022
116Kyle HoffmanRepublicanColdwater2010
117Adam TurkRepublicanShawnee2022
118Jim MinnixRepublicanScott City2020
119Jason GoetzRepublicanDodge City2022
120Adam SmithRepublicanWeskan2016
121John ResmanRepublicanOlathe2016
122Lon PishnyRepublicanGarden City2024
123Bob LewisRepublicanGarden City2022
124Marty LongRepublicanUlysses2024
125Shannon FrancisRepublicanLiberal2014

Committee leadership

2023–2024

CommitteeChairmanVice ChairmanRanking Minority Member
Agriculture and Natural ResourcesKen RahjesLance NeellySydney Carlin
Agriculture and Natural Resources BudgetLisa MoserMarty LongSydney Carlin
AppropriationsTroy WaymasterKristey WilliamsBarbara Ballard
Calendar and PrintingChris CroftDaniel HawkinsBrandon Woodard
Child Welfare and Foster CareCyndi HowertonTimothy H. JohnsonJarrod Ousley
Commerce, Labor and Economic DevelopmentSean TarwaterAdam TurkStephanie Clayton
Corrections and Juvenile JusticeBob LewisJohn ResmanTobias Schlingensiepen
EducationSusan EstesKyle McNortonJerry Stogsdill
ElectionsPat ProctorPaul WaggonerKirk Haskins
Energy, Utilities and TelecommunicationsLeo DelperdangRick WilbornKC Ohaebosim
Federal and State AffairsTom KesslerRebecca SchmoeSilas Miller
Financial Institutions and PensionsNick HoheiselAngela StiensRui Xu
General Government BudgetBarb WasingerSandy PickertLynn Melton
Health and Human ServicesWill CarpenterRon BryceSusan Ruiz
Higher Education BudgetSteven HoweClarke SandersMike Amyx
InsuranceBill SuttonBrian BergkampCindy Neighbor
Interstate CooperationDaniel HawkinsBlake CarpenterMike Amyx
JudiciarySusan HumphriesLaura WilliamsDan Osman
K-12 Education BudgetJason GoetzScott HillValdenia Winn
Legislative Budget (House)Troy WaymasterKristey WilliamsBarbara Ballard
Legislative ModernizationPatrick PennJesse BorjonAlexis Simmons
Local GovernmentEmil BergquistDoug BlexLinda Featherston
Rules and JournalSusan HumphriesStephanie Clayton
Social Services BudgetDavid BuehlerWill CarpenterMelissa Oropeza
TaxationAdam SmithCarl TurnerTom Sawyer
TransportationShannon FrancisRobyn EssexHenry Helgerson
Transportation and Public Safety BudgetAvery AndersonLeah HowellJo Ella Hoye
Veterans and MilitaryMike ThompsonNathan ButlerMari-Lynn Poskin
WaterJim MinnixGary WhiteLindsay Vaughn
Welform ReformFrancis AwerkampBill RhileyJarrod Ousley

Past composition

The Republican Party has controlled the Kansas House in most of Kansas History, with the Democratic control occurring less. Since 1992, the GOP has held most seats. The Democratic Party of Kansas had held most seats in the early 90s, but the party has never gained a trifecta in Kansas political history.

See also

Notes

References

  1. ^ a b Ewing, Cortez A. M (August 1932). "Early Kansas Impeachments". Kansas Historical Quarterly. 1 (4): 307–325.
  2. ^ Kansas State Capitol, Kansapedia, Kansas Historical Society. (accessed July 25, 2013)
  3. ^ a b Cool Things – Legislative War Artifacts, Kansapedia, Kansas Historical Society, November 1997. (accessed July 25, 2013)
  4. ^ "Alfred Fairfax - Kansapedia - Kansas Historical Society". www.kshs.org. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  5. ^ Enicks-Knissr, Lori Lynn (April 2014). "The Lady from Seward" – Minnie J. Grinstead, the First Woman Elected to the Kansas House of Representatives (PDF) (M.A. thesis). Emporia State University.
  6. ^ "Kansas Legislative Research Manual Kansas Legislative Procedures," Archived May 10, 2013, at the Wayback Machine March 12, 2009.
  7. ^ Kansas Legislators Past & Present-Robert Dole Archived November 13, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ a b c d e f Legislative Procedure in Kansas Archived May 10, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, Kansas Legislative Research Department, November 2006. (accessed July 24, 2013)
  9. ^ "Kansas Rep. Aaron Coleman rejoins Democratic Party". KSHB. Associated Press. February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.

39°02′54″N 95°40′41″W / 39.04833°N 95.67806°W / 39.04833; -95.67806

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