Policy and Advocacy
Kansas Legislative Committee Issues Worth Fighting For
In recent years, there have been several bills introduced during Kansas legislative sessions that would directly impact the planning profession. APA Kansas has created a Legislative Committee to track bills and draft letters, as warranted, in support of our profession on behalf of the Chapter.
If you are interested in serving on this committee or helping out on an ad hoc basis, click the button below or email Karie Kneller.
KS-APA Legislative Priorities
The mission of the Kansas Legislative Committee is to communicate, educate, advocate and celebrate our members, communities, and profession.
Ways we can help:
Join Us Today!
Planners' Day at the Capitol 2026 (Topeka)
On February 2nd, the Legislative Committee and volunteer Planners - 17 across the state of Kansas - met in the Capitol to advocate for our profession and meet with legislators about issues that matter to communities in the state. We focused on bills that would affect transportation, housing, economic development, and land use, as well as the priority to maintain local control of regulations that affect urban, suburban, and rural cities. We scheduled 19 meetings with legislators throughout the day, and this was our biggest Planners' Day yet!
The KS legislative session is one of the shortest in the nation - just 90 calendar days - concluding in April. Bills "pop up" quickly, and we will be watching closely, providing testimony when needed and following the bills that could affect the way we work and live. As a Home Rule state, we know that local control is essential to keeping what works for different communities in the hands of those who know their jurisdictions best.
As we follow up with legislators, we need YOUR help:
- Can you help "babysit" a bill? We will give you information about how to watch as a specific bill moves through the legislature. It's a simple way you can get involved, but it's essential that we have more volunteers to help us track. Contact us if you can help!
- We also need subject matter experts we can lean on when a bill could affect transportation, housing, economic development, or land use planning. If you fall into one or more of those categories as a professional, please let us know you can be a resource.
We look forward to more advocacy in the coming months and years, and we encourage you to get involved!
APA Planners' Day on Capitol Hill 2025 (Virtual Event)
On June 25th, APA members Lauren Driscoll, Michelle Kriks, and Karie Kneller met with Senator Marshall and Senator Moran’s staff to discuss legislation that affects housing in Kansas. We shared who we are as Planners, what APA is and its importance as a resource, and why Planning is important at the local, regional, and state levels. We talked about the Housing Supply Frameworks Act (S1299) and PRO Housing (Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing) Program, asking for their support on these important legislative items. We also shared personal stories about how zoning reform can encourage ADUs to support housing diversity, and the importance of maintaining LIHTC and CDBG funding. We will meet in person with Representative Sharice Davids at her Overland Park office on July 29th to thank her for her allyship and ask for her continued support.
Planners' Day at the Capitol 2025
APA KS Chapter members hosted a Breakfast Symposium on Housing on January 23rd, followed by meetings with Kansas legislators to talk about who Planners are and how we help shape great communities. We had 17 meetings with our representatives scheduled throughout the day and shared our legislative priorities around housing, land use, economic development, and transportation issues. It was a busy day, filled with planning advocacy.
Look for more updates as we look forward to Planners' Day in 2026!
Planners' Advocate at the Kansas State Capitol
Kansas Planners visited the Capitol in January and met with legislators to talk about what we do and how we can be a decision-making resource. It was a great day of learning and sharing, and you are encouraged to join the fun next year! We are organizing now, and you can get involved in the planning of the event, or just join us in Topeka to see what the Legislative Committee has been up to. Tell us if you're interested by clicking the link above, or email Karie Kneller.