2022 KS Legislative Scorecard 2021-
The following scorecard lists several key votes in the Kansas Legislature in 2021-22 and ranks state representatives and senators based on their fidelity to (U.S.) constitutional and limited-government principles.
This is our first state-level Scorecard; the selected votes may not be reflective of legislators' overall records. Their cumulative scores will change as we add more votes. Please check regularly for updates.
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SB34 Prohibits governmental entities and public officials from imposing mask mandates and vaccine mandates during the spread of a contagious or infectious disease. This legislation also limits the powers of the governor and other governmental entities, including the Kansas emergency management, to mandate face masks. This requires judicial review of certain emergency actions.
The Kansas State Senate passed SB34 on April 28, 2022 by a vote of 23 to 17. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because an individual’s personal health care decisions should not be the object of government, nor be under its federal, state, or local jurisdictions in the United States. Forcing an individual to receive a vaccination, wear a mask, or partake in any medical procedure would be a violation of their fundamental rights, freedoms, privileges, or immunities protected by the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
HB2138 requires all voting systems for elections to use individual voter-verified paper ballots with a distinctive watermark. It also requires that the secretary of state and local election officers are to provide an affidavit to be signed by election workers regarding handling of completed ballots, requiring audits of any federal, statewide or state legislative race that is within 1% of the total votes cast.
The Kansas State Senate passed HB2138 on April 1, 2022 by a vote of 28 to 8. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because strengthening our election laws are crucial in the preservation of our election process and election integrity. Article IV, Section 2, of the U.S. Constitution provides that “citizens” of the United States “shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities,” such as the “right of citizens of the United States” to vote as prescribed in the 26th Amendment. Tightening election laws preserve the integrity of the election process and any measure taken to restore trust in the process is a win for our country.
HB2280 allows the prescribing and dispensing of medications for off-label use to prevent and treat COVID-19 infections. This legislation also requires child care facilities and schools to grant religious exemptions from vaccination requirements without inquiring questioning religious beliefs.
The Kansas State Senate passed HB2280 on March 23, 2022 by a vote of 21 to 16. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because an individual has the fundamental rights, freedoms, privileges, or immunities to make medical decisions for themselves, which are protected by the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
SCR1611 applies Kansas to an Article V Convention to propose amendments to limit federal power. This vote was to send SCR1611 back to committee. This legislation followed the wording of Mark Meckler’s Convention of States Project, or COS Project, application, urging Congress to call a convention to propose amendments “that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress.
The Kansas State Senate passed SCR1611 on May 5, 2021 by a vote of 21 to 19. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because the motion was to send SCR1611 back to committee, which essentially kills the bill. A so-called “Convention of the States” would not be of “limited” purpose. The vague and contradictory text contained in this joint resolution dangerously permits what Article V of the U.S. Constitution describes as a “Convention for proposing Amendments” or second constitutional convention. Notably, Article V of the U.S. Constitution was designed to correct structural deficiencies in the federal government, not the behavior of its elected officials.
HB2058 lowers the minimum age for a concealed carry permit from 21 year old to 18 years old.
The Kansas State House of Representatives voted to override the Governor’s veto for HB2058 on May 3, 2021 and passed by a vote of 84 to 39. We have assigned the pluses to the ayes because the fundamental right of the American people to keep and bear arms is protected by the U.S. Constitution, particularly in the 2nd, 9th, and 10th Amendments, and should not be infringed. The constitution does not limit who, where, and when someone can carry a firearm.
SB55 requires that public school female student athletic teams only include members who are biologically female.
The Kansas State Senate voted to override the Governor’s veto for SB55 on May 3, 2021 by a vote of 26 to 14. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because the left has been promoting radical Marxist ideas for years. This indoctrination is letting people believe that they can choose their pronouns and that they can be transgender. Scientifically and biblically, there are two genders. Taxpayers fund sports programs in schools, so this legislation ensures that taxpayer dollars will not be going to athletic programs that embrace the woke culture.
