Rep. Steve Howe

Maddy summaryHB 2523 allows Kansas technical colleges, community colleges, and state universities to form formal partnerships with Kansas universities or accredited independent institutions. It directly affects Kansas public colleges, technical schools, and qualifying private institutions by creating standardized procedures for these affiliations. Key provisions include allowing institutions to change their official designations in legal documents, transferring operational powers and responsibilities to the partnering institution, and establishing rules for faculty, staff, and student transitions during the affiliation. The bill also ensures continuity for existing contracts, legal actions, and debt obligations during the partnership process.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific segment of K-5 highway in Wyandotte County (from the junction of K-5 and N. 18th Street west to N. 38th Street) as the "Representative Marvin S. Robinson II Memorial Highway." It also redesignates a portion of Interstate 635 (from the Kansas-Missouri border south to its junction with K-5 highway) as the "Harry Darby Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Kansas Secretary of Transportation to install highway signs marking both routes, following standard procedures. This is a procedural memorial designation with no substantive policy changes to transportation law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Kansas to explicitly define the right to bear arms as a natural and fundamental right that includes owning ammunition, firearm accessories, and components. It requires that any government restrictions on this right must pass the strict scrutiny legal standard, which is the highest level of judicial review. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters, the change would strengthen existing gun protections by clarifying the scope of items covered and the level of protection they receive.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution urges the U.S. Congress to grant state insurance regulators the authority to oversee Medicare Advantage plans, which are currently managed primarily by the federal government. The bill argues that state-level oversight would be more effective at preventing deceptive marketing and protecting vulnerable seniors from aggressive sales tactics. It specifically calls for states to enforce their own consumer protection laws regarding plan advertising, network access, and benefit disclosures. While the text cites complaints from Kansas about misleading practices, the resolution itself is a non-binding recommendation rather than a law that directly changes federal regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2410 allows public library taxing districts that levy at least 0.25 mills for library support to withdraw from regional library systems without requiring state library board approval. This directly affects districts meeting the 0.25 mill tax levy threshold, removing the previous requirement for state board discretion in withdrawal requests. The bill amends Kansas law to automatically permit such withdrawals when conditions are met, streamlining the process for districts wishing to leave regional cooperation. It does not change the requirement for districts to meet the 0.25 mill levy condition to qualify for withdrawal.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that honors the life and public service of Representative Melody McCray-Miller, who passed away in February 2026. It recognizes her decades of work in education, business, and government, including her roles as a teacher, restaurant owner, county commissioner, state representative, and community leader. The resolution formally acknowledges her contributions to Kansas families and communities but does not create new laws or change any policies. Its only effect is to officially celebrate her legacy within the Kansas House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution honors the life and public service of Representative Harold Lane, a former Kansas state representative from Topeka. The bill formally recognizes his contributions to local governance, his business career, and his legislative work on committees such as Appropriations and Energy and Environment. It serves as a commemorative tribute rather than enacting new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis Kansas House resolution honors U.S. military veterans who served in Honduras between 1981 and 1992 and urges the federal Congress to award them the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. The bill argues that these service members faced similar hazardous conditions to those who received the medal for service in El Salvador during the same period, creating an inconsistency in recognition. By requesting this specific federal decoration, the resolution seeks to provide equitable acknowledgment for the risks and sacrifices made by these veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that formally recognizes and honors the life and public service of Representative John Resman, who represented Kansas's 121st District. The resolution highlights his extensive background in law enforcement, including service in the U.S. Army, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, before his election to the state legislature. It commemorates his legislative work on committees related to corrections, federal affairs, and public safety, as well as his advocacy for fiscal responsibility and education. The resolution concludes by expressing condolences to his family following his passing in March 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution that formally recognizes the 100th anniversary of the Jayhawk Theatre in Topeka, Kansas. It highlights the theater's history as the official State Theater of Kansas and its role as a historic landmark since opening in 1926. The text expresses appreciation for the community efforts involved in preserving the building but does not create new laws or change any policies.