(Feb. 18, 2026) – Today, between actions on the Senate Floor, the Senate Ways and Means Committee met to continue work on its budget bill. The following items were discussed:

• Senator Stephen Owens made a motion to cap the sub-account of lottery funds from attracting the professional sports funds at $80 million and then direct additional revenues with the first $8 million going to the ClubHouse Model and the rest to go to Home and Community Based Services Waivers.
• Reductions to the Blueprint to Literacy Program
• Removing regents funding for lapsing programs
• Deleting language related to banning negotiations extensions for potential loss of revenue related to sports wagering.
• LevelUp Kansas investment reduced by $1 million
• Restore Water Fund Study Funds $20 per day
• And changes to BIDS

The committee recommended the budget, which will be in Senate Bill 315, favorably for passage.