March 20, 2026 Kansas Pet Advocates Weekly Legislative Update

Reily Goyne
Mar 20
3 min read

Neonate Bill Delayed, but Still Very Much Alive!

Your Advocacy Made a Difference!

S B 344 was set for debate on Thursday, March 19, with strong support lined up from several legislators. However, the House adjourned unexpectedly before finishing the calendar, and the bill did not receive a vote.

While SB 344 is technically “dead,” its provisions are very much alive, and there is still a clear path forward. Our work is far from over.

Kansas Pet Advocates is actively working to have the language of SB 344 included in a Conference Committee Report (CCR). Thanks to your powerful advocacy and the bill’s unanimous passage in the Senate, it remains eligible for inclusion. We are optimistic and pushing hard to get it across the finish line.

Conference Committees begin meeting on Monday, March 23, to finalize key legislation. We need you to keep the momentum going.

Take action: Contact your Senator AND Representative and urge them to support including the language of SB 344 in a CCR and get it passed.

Write your Representative NOW

Senate Passes TNVR Decriminalization After Upbeat Floor Debate

On March 18, HB 2535, which clarifies that trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) is not a violation of animal cruelty laws, was debated on the Senate floor (watch here). The bill was carried by Senator Ron Ryckman (R-Meade) , who shared personal stories about his wife’s longtime cat rescue work, while Senator Adam Thomas (R-Olathe) added a bit of humor. With no opposition or amendments, the bill passed 39–1 on March 19, with only Senator Tory Marie Blew (R-Great Bend) voting no.

Because of a Senate amendment changing the effective date, the bill now returns to the House for a concurrence vote. If approved, it will head to Governor Laura Kelly for signature; if not, it will move to a conference committee.

This is a significant step forward, made possible by strong advocacy from supporters across the state.

Budget Conference Committee Strikes Spay/Neuter Funding

In the first three rounds of budget negotiations on March 19, House and Senate leaders worked to reconcile differences. The House initially included spay/neuter funding, but the Senate opposed it, and the House ultimately dropped it.

While disappointing, the decision reflects broader efforts to cut spending amid concerns about future budget shortfalls.

Even so, this conversation matters. Continued advocacy keeps spay/neuter funding on the radar and reinforces how important these programs are to communities across Kansas. We will keep working to elevate this need and push for future opportunities to restore support.

Help Advance HB 2077 - Sales Tax Exemption for Licensed Nonprofit Shelters and Rescues

Contact your Representative today and ask them to encourage Chairman Adam Smith (R-Weskan) to advance HB 2077, legislation that would provide an estimated $800,000 a year in sales tax relief to licensed nonprofit animal shelters and rescues.

This exemption would allow shelters and rescue organizations to reinvest those dollars directly into services that benefit the community, including animal care, spay/neuter programs, medical treatment, and adoption efforts.

On Wednesday, February 11, KPA Deputy Director Reily Goyne was joined by Danielle Husted of Great Plains SPCA, Vanessa Cowie of Prairie Paws Animal Shelter, Jasmine Kyle of SEK Humane Society, and Sydney Mollentine of the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City in testifying in support of the bill at the House Taxation Committee, but has not been voted on yet.

Click here to contact your Representative NOW!

Spay/Neuter Funding Included in House Budget

The House has approved its budget, which includes a proposal for $50,000 for Spay/Neuter services.

The proposal includes:

$50,000 to reimburse shelters caring for animals seized through the Animal Facilities Inspection (AFI) program
$25,000 for spay/neuter surgeries provided by the K-State Mobile Veterinary Clinic
$25,000 for community spay/neuter grant funding

Any unused seizure reimbursement funds will roll over into the next fiscal year to support additional spay/neuter grants.

KPA is actively lobbying the House and Senate budget negotiators to make sure this remains in the budget for fiscal year 2027.