Two Kansas medical professionals sat for an hour at an early morning committee hearing in mid-March, waiting their turn to speak out against a bill. One drove two hours to attend. Neither got a chance to talk.

HB 2346 would have established the new grant program at the Kansas Department of Commerce to provide dollar-for-dollar matching grants to support sports tourism events.

The bill, which resembles a package Gov. Laura Kelly previously vetoed, effectively limits annual spending increases by local governments to 3% or the inflation rate, whichever is smaller.

Legislators aren't supposed to attack each others' motives during debate, but the niche procedural rule has become a tool for the Republican supermajority.

Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed dozens of bills, but Republicans overrode a majority to force the measures into law — including restrictions on student protesters, funding for anti-abortion centers, and more power for landlords.

The bill makes it a misdemeanor crime to go within 25 feet of a first responder while they are working. A violation can result in a fine up to $1,000 and jail term of up to six months.

Gov. Laura Kelly signed the state budget, House Bill 2513, but vetoed line items, including sections that addressed assessment tests and how scores are set for Kansas students.

Republican supermajorities in House and Senate are expected to affirm passage of anti-abortion measures

The Kansas Legislature approved a provision to clamp down on public school protests by requiring students to receive parental permission before participating, and hitting districts with penalties as high as $100,000 per day for failing to enforce restrictions.

Gov. Laura Kelly criticized the proposed raise for state legislators, who got a 93% pay increase just two years ago. "The 1% pay increase for state employees in this budget is nothing but an afterthought," Kelly said.