Dr. Droge shared the following details with The Eureka Herald recently: HCR 5013 – Medicare Consumer Protection For years, seniors in Kansas have faced deceptive and aggressive marketing tactics from Medicare Advantage plans with little recourse for protection. That’s why I strongly support House Concurrent Resolution 5013, which urges Congress to return regulatory authority over these plans to state insurance regulators. Unlike federal bureaucrats, Kansas officials understand the needs of our residents and are better equipped to hold bad actors accountable. By restoring state oversight, we can ensure that our seniors receive accurate information about their healthcare options and are shielded from misleading sales practices.
This resolution is about consumer protection. Right now, Kansans who are misled by Medicare Advantage providers have nowhere to turn, as the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have failed to enforce meaningful oversight. State regulators already monitor other health insurance plans, and there’s no reason Medicare Advantage should be any different. Medicare Advantage abuses are leaving seniors misinformed and unprotected Bringing enforcement back to Kansas will allow us to crack down on deceptive marketing, ensure transparency, and give seniors the resources they need to make informed healthcare decisions.
This resolution reflects a fundamental conservative belief in local control. State regulators—not Washington bureaucrats—should have the power to hold bad actors accountable. The federal government has proven time and again that it is inefficient and ineffective at responding to the real concerns of Kansas residents. We believe decisions about healthcare should be made closer to home, where regulators can act swiftly to protect consumers from fraud and abuse. Kansas is better positioned than Washington, D.C., to look out for our seniors, and it’s time Congress recognized that.
HR 6016 – Black Mass In response, the Legislative Coordinating Council has acted swiftly and responsibly by updating its policy on events held at the Capitol. From now on, no event may be hosted in the Capitol unless it is sponsored by a legislator or by the Governor. This change ensures greater oversight and accountability in the use of the people’s property. Our Capitol should not be used as a stage for mockery, hatred, or sensationalism aimed at others. While we respect the First Amendment, that does not mean our state must provide a platform for vile public spectacles designed to offend Kansans of faith. Taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for potentially criminal rituals SB 29 – Ban on Public Gathering Bans Kansans value their personal freedoms and constitutional rights, and Substitute for Senate Bill 29 takes an important step to restore those freedoms by preventing local health officials from banning public gatherings.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw unelected bureaucrats impose sweeping restrictions, shutting down churches, businesses, and schools with little accountability. This bill removes the power of county health officers to unilaterally ban public gatherings, ensuring that future public health decisions respect personal liberty, local governance, and due process. While protecting public health is important, it should never come at the expense of fundamental freedoms.
This bill is about striking the right balance between health precautions and individual rights. Under current law, local health officers have the unchecked authority to shut down public events, impacting businesses, faith communities, and personal livelihoods. SB 29 ensures that any actions taken to prevent the spread of disease are backed by due process, probable cause, and oversight. No Kansan should have their rights restricted without a clear and justified reason, and no local official should have unchecked power over the daily lives of residents.
This bill does not prevent public health guidance—it simply ensures that restrictions are not abused and that Kansans are treated with the dignity and fairness they deserve.
At its core, this legislation is about defending our constitutional rights and ensuring local accountability.
Government works best when power is checked and balanced, not when decisions are dictated by unelected officials. Kansans deserve a government that trusts them to make informed decisions about their own health and well-being. SB 29 restores the rights of individuals, businesses, and churches while ensuring that public health policies are transparent, fair, and respectful of our constitutional freedoms. I am proud to support this bill and stand with Kansans in the fight for freedom, personal responsibility, and government accountability.
SB 29 ensures the Secretary of Health and Environment must have evidence- supported by oath or affirmation-before taking action to curb the spread of disease. SB 29 stops local health officials from unilaterally banning public gatherings and restricting Kansans’ freedoms. The bill ensures that any public health restrictions must be justified, transparent, and respect due process. No unelected bureaucrat should have the power to shut down churches, businesses, or community events. From disease tracking to quarantine protocols, this bill ensures decisions are made openly, respecting individual rights.
This Legislation allows anyone impacted by a health order to file a civil action in District Court within 30 days, with a hearing scheduled within 72 hours. Courts will review challenged health orders under strict scrutiny, ensuring they’re carefully crafted and minimally invasive. Kansans deserve policies that balance public health with individual liberty— not unchecked government control.
SB 44 – Increased Eligibility for Scholarship Program A strong workforce starts with access to affordable education, and Senate Bill 44 expands the Kansas Promise Scholarship Program to give more students the opportunity to succeed. This program has already helped Kansans earn high-demand degrees and technical certifications, and this bill ensures more institutions can participate, giving students greater flexibility in choosing the best path for their future. By opening up eligibility to additional not-for-profit and accredited institutions, this legislation strengthens our commitment to workforce development and economic growth—ensuring that Kansas students have the resources they need to train for good-paying, in-demand jobs.
The Kansas Promise Scholarship is a proven investment in our state’s future, but it must be fair and sustainable.
This bill maintains important guardrails by ensuring scholarship amounts stay within reasonable limits and are used only for necessary coursework. At the same time, it ensures that students from working families can still qualify, with income limits set at $100,000 for a family of two and $150,000 for a family of three. These scholarships are targeted to help Kansans who need them most—students who want to gain skills, contribute to their communities, and build careers here in Kansas. SB 44 expands the Kansas Promise Scholarship to more schools, giving students more educational choices.
At its core, SB 44 is about investing in Kansas talent and strengthening our economy. By expanding the Promise Scholarship to more institutions, we are giving students more choices while keeping Kansas competitive in workforce development. Businesses need a skilled workforce, and this bill ensures students can get the training they need without taking on crushing debt. As legislators, it’s our job to remove barriers to opportunity, support hard-working Kansans, and invest in policies that create a strong future for our state. I am proud to support this expansion of the Kansas Promise Scholarship Program and look forward to seeing more students succeed because of it. By investing in workforce development, Kansas is building a stronger economy and skilled labor force. Students can now access more programs without taking on debt, ensuring they are job-ready after graduation.
SB 79 – SNAP Soda/Sugar Bill Kansas taxpayers expect public assistance programs to be used responsibly, and Senate Bill 79 takes a common-sense step toward ensuring food assistance is spent on real nutrition. This bill directs the state to seek federal approval to prohibit the purchase of candy and soft drinks with food assistance dollars. SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) was designed to help low-income families afford nutritious food, not sugary treats that contribute to obesity, diabetes, and other health problems. This reform ensures that taxpayer dollars support better food choices, keeping the program aligned with its original purpose.
Kansas has the authority to request federal approval to implement this restriction, and SB 79 requires the state to pursue that option. Many hardworking Kansans believe food assistance should be a helping hand for those in need, not a subsidy for unhealthy food. This bill does not cut benefits or reduce eligibility— it simply prioritizes spending on essential groceries instead of unhealthy options. If other assistance programs have guardrails on how funds can be spent, there’s no reason why food assistance should be any different. Kansas taxpayers expect public assistance programs to be used responsibly, and Senate Bill 79 takes a common-sense step toward ensuring food assistance is spent on real nutrition. This bill directs the state to seek federal approval to prohibit the purchase of candy and soft drinks with food assistance dollars.
At its core, this bill is about responsibility and respect for taxpayers. Kansans work hard to fund assistance programs, and they deserve to know that their money is being spent wisely. Limiting the use of food assistance for candy and soft drinks is not about punishing recipients—it’s about promoting good nutrition, fiscal responsibility, and ensuring that these programs remain sustainable for future generations. I proudly support SB 79 as a common-sense step toward reforming public assistance and protecting taxpayer dollars.
SB 79 directs the state to seek federal approval to ban candy and soft drinks from SNAP purchases. This bill promotes fiscal responsibility and better nutrition without cutting benefits.
SB 250 – Right to Try Individualized Treatments Act Kansans facing life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses deserve every possible option in their fight for survival. That’s why I strongly support Senate Bill 250 – the Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act.
This legislation allows patients to access personalized, investigational treatments tailored to their genetic profile when no other options remain. For patients battling rare diseases, time is not on their side. Bureaucratic delays shouldn’t stand between them and a potential treatment that could extend or improve their lives. By allowing manufacturers to provide individualized therapies to eligible patients, this bill ensures that Kansans have the right to try every available medical option when facing the fight of their lives.
This legislation removes government roadblocks while maintaining important safeguards. Patients who seek these treatments must have exhausted all FDA-approved options, received a physician’s recommendation, and provided informed consent before moving forward. Hospitals, insurers, and providers are not forced to cover or provide these treatments— this bill simply allows manufacturers to offer them. It also protects healthcare providers from penalties for recommending these options and shields families from liability if a patient passes away during treatment. This is about giving hope, not false promises— about removing barriers, not creating mandates.
At its core, SB 250 is about freedom—the freedom for patients to make choices about their own care. If a Kansan is fighting for their life, they should not have to beg for permission to try a treatment that may help.
Government should not stand in the way of medical innovation or the pursuit of hope. Doctors and patients— not bureaucrats— should decide what treatments are worth trying. This bill reflects Kansas values: medical freedom, and the right to fight for every chance at life. I am proud to support this critical legislation that gives patients and their families one more option when all others have run out. SB 250 gives terminally ill Kansans the freedom to try cutting-edge, personalized treatments.
SCR 1602 – Asking Gov Kelly to Enforce Trump Immigration Laws Kansas must take a firm stand in support of law and order, and that’s why I strongly back Senate Concurrent Resolution 1602, which urges Governor Laura Kelly to fully cooperate with the Trump administration in enforcing federal immigration laws. Illegal immigration places serious burdens on public safety, health, and resources, fueling crises like human trafficking, fentanyl overdoses, and criminal activity. As states across the country work to support border security efforts, Kansas must make it clear that we stand with the rule of law and will not obstruct efforts to deport illegal immigrants, especially those who have committed crimes.
This effort is not just a partisan issue—it’s a matter of public safety. The bipartisan support for the Laken Riley Act, which our entire Kansas congressional delegation backed, demonstrates that both sides recognize the dangers posed by illegal immigration. The Trump administration’s historic border operation is prioritizing the removal of criminals who entered our country illegally. Many states are stepping up to assist with border security and enforcement, and Kansas needs to be part of this effort. Governor Kelly should use her authority, including deploying the Kansas National Guard as needed, to support federal immigration enforcement and border security.
At its core, SCR 1602 is about protecting Kansans, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring our state does not become a haven for illegal immigration. Ignoring immigration laws weakens public trust, strains resources, and makes our communities less safe. Kansas has always stood for law and order, and it’s time to send a clear message that we will fully cooperate with the federal government to enforce immigration laws, secure our borders, and keep our state safe. I am proud to stand behind this resolution and will continue fighting for policies that prioritize security, accountability, and the well-being of Kansans.
Governor Kelly should use her authority, including the National Guard, to help secure our borders and uphold the rule of law.
SCR 1611Judicial Selection
With the House and Senate on board, SCR 1611 is now headed to the August 2026 ballot—meaning you, the Kansas voter, get to decide how we choose our Supreme Court justices. This has been a priority for over 20 years. Republicans have finally accomplished this huge goal. This gives Kansans the power to choose justices instead of a small, unelected group of lawyers making the decision. Elected justices are accountable to the public, not just lawyers and appointees, and can be replaced every six years if they don’t serve well.
The current system favors the lawyer-heavy Supreme Court Nominating Commission, but SCR 1611 abolishes it and lets all citizens decide. Twenty-two other states elect their supreme court justices, showing Kansas would follow a proven method to keep courts tied to the people Elections are open and public, unlike the current closed-door process, Kansans deserve justices who reflect their values, not just a governor’s or commission’s, and direct elections ensure this. The commission limits choices to three names for the governor, allowing quiet politics, while elections make it fair and open Opponents doubt voters’ wisdom, but Kansans already elect lawmakers, governors, and local judges, proving they can choose justices too.
We are the only state in the country that has a nominating commission set up the way we do.
HB 2336 –Taxes
Starting in 2027, HB 2336 makes it simpler for big companies working in multiple states to figure out their Kansas income taxes. It uses their sales here to set the amount, which feels like a fair and modern way to do things— and it keeps Kansas in the game with other states.
This bill also sets up a tax rate cut for corporations starting in 2029, depending on how much tax money comes in from 2027 to 2028. It’s a nice way to say “thanks” to growing businesses, and it could lead to more jobs and opportunities around here.
For publicly traded companies, there’s a helpful tax deduction they can spread out over ten years, starting in 2025. It eases them into the new system so they’re not caught off guard, letting them keep doing well in Kansas.
By focusing on sales, Kansas joins most other states in how they handle corporate taxes. It’s a tried-and-true approach that makes us look good to businesses looking for a smart place to grow.
Come 2027, the bill switches to something called “market-based sourcing” to decide which sales count as Kansas sales. Basically, it taxes based on where stuff is used or sold, which just makes sense and keeps things fair.
HB 2402- Blue Ribbon Commission HB 2402 establishes the Blue-Ribbon Commission on Higher Education to review and recommend improvements for Kansas’ colleges and universities, offering a structured approach to address key issues.
The commission includes 17 members, such as legislators, representatives from universities and community colleges, a student, a parent, and public citizens, ensuring a broad range of perspectives in the discussion.
Its focus will be on critical areas: governance, funding, accessibility, affordability, and strategies to improve enrollment and graduation rates, all aimed at strengthening higher education for Kansas. Meetings can occur anytime and anywhere in Kansas, supported by staff from the Kansas Board of Regents and other state offices.
To verify if you have unclaimed property and to initiate the claim process, visit the official website. https://unclaimedproperty. ks.gov/.
Dr. Duane Droge is serving on the following committees during the 2025 Session: Legislative Modernization; Water; Agriculture & Natural Resources; and Health & Human Services.
