MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR

House Bill No. 2626

An Act concerning veterans and military; directing the capitol preservation committee to develop and approve plans for a registry kiosk of Kansas military forces killed in action or who died of wounds sustained during active duty to be placed within the state capitol; relating to veterans benefits; enacting the safeguarding American veteran empowerment (SAVE) act to limit compensation for assisting in veterans benefits matters; establishing the Kansas military affairs commission; prescribing the powers and duties thereof; expanding government employment veteran preference to include current members of the national guard and such members’ eligible spouses; expanding permissive preference in private employment to include servicemembers and such members’ eligible spouses; amending K.S.A. 73-231 and K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 73-201 and repealing the existing sections.

Message to the Legislature of the State of Kansas

House Bill 2626 contains several provisions that would be very beneficial to Kansas veterans. As the daughter of a career military man, I look for every opportunity to make life better for active-duty military, our veterans, and their families. Unfortunately, the Legislature added a provision to this bill that would allow for-profit entities to prey upon unsuspecting veterans, charging them hefty fees for services those veterans can receive at no-charge from state-supported veterans’ service organizations. I ask the 2027 Legislature to pass this bill again when they convene next January, without the poison pill provision.

Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto House Bill 2626.

Laura Kelly, Governor

Dated April 8, 2026.