SESSION OF 2025
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT BRIEF
HOUSE BILL NO. 2022
As Agreed to March 24, 2025
Brief*
HB 2022 would amend the definition of “special election” in election law to mean any
election held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in March of any year or on the same day
as a general or primary election. The bill would also make conforming amendments to other
provisions of election law concerning special elections.
Conference Committee Action
The Conference Committee agreed to the provisions of HB 2022, as amended by the
Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs, with the following changes:
●Amended the definition of “special election” to mean any election held on the Tuesday
following the first Monday in March of any year; and
●Included additional conforming amendments concerning special elections.
Background
The bill was introduced by the House Committee on Elections at the request of
Representative Waggoner.
House Committee on Elections
In the House Committee hearing, the Deputy Secretary of State presented proponent
testimony, stating the bill would clarify the intent of the 45-day provision, which the Deputy
Secretary stated was always meant to be before or after an election to ensure a county election
officer is not faced with a conflict between state and federal law regarding the time registration
books may be closed.
No other testimony was provided.
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*Conference committee report briefs are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express
legislative intent. No summary is prepared when the report is an agreement to disagree. Conference committee
report briefs may be accessed on the Internet at https://klrd.gov/
1 - 2022 The House Committee recommended the bill be placed on the Consent Calendar.
Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs
In the Senate Committee hearing, the Deputy Secretary of State and the Sedgwick County
Election Commissioner provided proponent testimony. The Deputy Secretary stated the bill
would clarify the intent of the 45-day provision. The Sedgwick County Election Commissioner
stated Sedgwick County had four special elections in 2024 and asked that special elections be
limited to three specific dates throughout year—the first Tuesday in March or April, the primary
election, and the general election—to help with costs of special elections, reduce voter
confusion, and increase voter turnout.
Neutral testimony was provided by a representative of the Kansas Association of School
Boards (KASB), who noted that the bill, as introduced, would not have a negative impact on
school district special elections, but KASB would oppose any amendment that would specify an
arbitrary date because school districts should have the flexibility to schedule special elections to
maximize their effectiveness.
No other testimony was provided.
The Senate Committee amended the bill to change the definition of “special election” to
mean any election held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in April of any year or on the
same day as a general or primary election and make conforming amendments throughout the
election statutes. [Note: The Conference Committee retained this amendment but changed the
special election date from April to March.]
Senate Committee of the Whole
The Senate Committee of the Whole amended the bill to specify that elections required for
the issuance of municipal bonds, including those for school districts, would be called and held
on the date of the next primary or general election, and to allow for certain exceptions to this
provision. [Note: The Conference Committee did not retain this amendment.]
Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of the Budget on the bill, as
introduced, the Office of the Secretary of State indicates it would use existing resources to
update training materials for local election officials and update educational and promotional
materials for the voting public regarding the provisions of the bill. Any fiscal effect associated
with enactment of the bill is not reflected in The FY 2026 Governor’s Budget Report.
The Kansas Association of Counties indicates enactment of the bill could have a fiscal
effect on counties if there is an increase in special elections but is unable to estimate the fiscal
effect.
Special election; elections
ccrb_hb2022_01_1115.odt
2 - 2022