Saying a bill passed by both Kansas House and Senate is divisive and sends the wrong message about the state’s willingness to welcome all children and families, Governor Laura Kelly has vetoed Senate Bill 55.
Also known as the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, SB 55 says transgender athletes have “an absolute advantage” over female athletes and will “likely” have performance benefits even a year after hormonal therapy or other gender-affirming treatments — so they cannot compete in girls’ and women’s sports at the high school or college level.
60th District Representative Mark Schreiber of Emporia voted against the bill, saying it’s discriminatory and unnecessary. He says he will vote against it if it comes up for an override as expected.
The NCAA has already said it will pull events from states with similar legislation. Emporia State University is set to host the Division II outdoor track and field national championships in 2024 and 2026. 17th District Senator Jeff Longbine of Emporia, says there could well be changes, either from the NCAA or the federal government, between now and then.
Longbine voted for the bill, saying earlier fears about its constitutionality have been addressed by Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.
SB 55 passed both House and Senate, but not by veto-proof majorities. Republicans, who support SB 55, need one more vote in the Senate and 11 in the House to override the veto.
Separately, Governor Kelly also vetoed bills connected to K-12 education. She vetoed a bill that would base gun safety curriculum on the National Rifle Association’s education program. She also vetoed a bill that would mandate passing a civics test as a high school graduation requirement. She and Schreiber say both steps are signals of legislative overreach. Longbine agrees on overreach, but he says lawmakers have taken action on these issues because the Kansas State Department of Education has not.
5:30 am Friday: Governor vetoes transgender athlete bill, two others connected to education
Last month, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly vowed to veto a bill eliminating transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports. On Thursday, she followed through on that statement.
The governor called Senate Bill 55 divisive, saying it sends a “devastating message that Kansas is not welcoming to all children and their families.”
SB 55, also known as the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, says transgender athletes have “an absolute advantage” over female athletes and will “likely” have performance benefits even a year after hormonal therapy or other gender-affirming treatments. It passed both House and Senate, but not by veto-proof majorities. Republicans, who support SB 55, need one more vote in the Senate and 11 in the House to override the veto.
The NCAA has already said it will pull events from states with similar legislation. Emporia State University is set to host the Division II outoor track and field national championships in 2024 and 2026.
Separately Governor Kelly also vetoed bills connected to K-12 education. She vetoed a bill that would base gun safety curriculum on the National Rifle Association’s education program. She also vetoed a bill that would mandate passing a civics test as a graduation requirement. She says both steps are signals of legislative overreach.
