Kansas Silver Haired Legislature
Five key resolutions address medical cannabis, property tax relief, Medicaid expansion, voting rights, and senior transportation
TOPEKA — The Kansas Silver Haired Legislature (KSHL), a non-partisan, volunteer legislative body representing Kansans age 60 and older, concluded its annual session at the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka this week. Delegates adopted five key resolutions that will be formally presented to the Kansas Legislature and Governor for consideration during the 2026 legislative session.
“These resolutions reflect the real priorities of seniors across Kansas,” said Leroy Burton, Speaker of the House of the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature. “Older Kansans want to see accessible healthcare, fair taxation, the protection of their voting rights, reliable transportation options, and sensible approaches to medical cannabis. We call on the Kansas Legislature to act boldly and compassionately on these issues.”
Each resolution focuses on a critical area impacting older adults’ quality of life:
1. Medical Cannabis access — supporting Senate Bill 294
KSHL passed a resolution supporting Senate Bill 294, the Kansas Medical Cannabis Act. This bill provides for the licensure and regulation of the cultivation, processing, manufacturing, distribution, sale, and use of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products. Delegates underscored the potential benefits for Kansans living with chronic pain, debilitating illnesses, and other health conditions for which medical cannabis offers therapeutic relief.
2. Property Tax Relief for Seniors — supporting Senate Bill 215 or similar legislation
A resolution was passed supporting Senate Bill 215 (2025), or similar legislation, during the 2026 regular legislative session, to provide property tax relief for certain senior citizens. Rising property taxes continue to threaten seniors’ ability to maintain their homes and standard of living. Delegates emphasized that targeted relief would allow older adults to age in place with stability and dignity.
3. Preserving and expanding Medicaid and Food Assistance
Delegates adopted a resolution urging the Kansas Legislature to preserve Medicaid services, home and community-based services, and SNAP food assistance, as well as to support Medicaid expansion in Kansas.
• 8.5% of Kansas seniors live below the poverty line, and older adults make up a growing portion of the state’s population.
• 25,000 Kansas seniors participate in SNAP food assistance.
Expanding Medicaid would leverage federal resources to finance healthcare reform and strengthen the safety net for vulnerable populations.
4. Protecting Voting Rights for Kansas Seniors
KSHL adopted a resolution opposing any efforts to restrict voting rights that would make it more difficult or impossible for Kansas senior citizens to cast a ballot. Seniors represent 25% of registered voters in Kansas, with 79.9% voting in the 2024 general election—the highest turnout of any age group. Delegates emphasized that protecting voting access is essential to maintaining seniors’ civic voice and engagement. The resolution specifically:
• Opposes any legislation or administrative action that would make it more difficult to vote in Kansas, including measures that could limit access for the elderly and disabled.
5. Supporting collaborative community-based Senior Transportation
KSHL passed a resolution urging the Kansas Legislature to continue supporting and funding collaborative community-based transportation systems for senior citizens, including micro-transit support in rural, remote, and metropolitan areas. The resolution calls on the Legislature to:
• Increase funding for community-based transportation systems serving seniors.
• Support local control and involvement in establishing and operating these systems.
• Direct the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) to study and identify transportation expansion opportunities in rural, remote, and metro areas.
• Coordinate with local entities, such as county and city governments, Area Agencies on Aging, the Silver Haired Legislature, and other organizations, to develop and implement comprehensive transportation plans.
Reliable transportation remains a critical factor in seniors’ ability to access healthcare, groceries, social supports, and civic life—particularly in rural and underserved communities.
About the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature
Created by an Act of Congress in 1969 and established in Kansas in 1982 by Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 1649, the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature identifies priority concerns of Kansans aged 60 and older and develops legislation and policy recommendations for state leaders. Members are elected from all 105 counties and serve voluntarily to advocate on behalf of older Kansans.
For more information contact: Leroy Burton, KSHL Speaker of the House, 316-670-4127, leburton@cox.net
Chuck Schmidt, KSHL Speaker Pro Tem, 620-330-4576, cschmidt3131@gmail.com
