Kansas Legislators To Shorten Session

Kansas legislative leaders from both parties have endorsed plans to shorten this year’s annual session to 80 days.

If they’re successful, the Legislature will trim 10 days off the normal 90 days that leaders expect each year.

Republican House Speaker Ray Merrick of Stilwell says legislators should be able to finish their business within 80 days, and Democratic leaders agree.

Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley of Topeka and House Democratic Leader Paul Davis of Lawrence strongly embraced Merrick’s call to avoid pushing all major business into the wrap-up period that follows the Legislature’s annual spring break.

Lawmakers regularly have had sessions longer than 90 days. Last year’s went 99 days and included a wrap-up of 26 days.

The longest session ever was in 2002 and lasted 107 days.