(KOAM) – The Kansas Legislature voted to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a bill defining sex in state and local government policy, setting up a significant policy change despite the governor’s objections.
Senate Bill 244 requires state and local governments to define sex based on biological sex at birth. Supporters say the measure brings clarity and consistency to public policy across agencies, school districts and public universities.
Kelly criticized the legislation in a written statement, calling it a misplaced priority.
“It is nothing short of ridiculous that the Legislature is forcing the entire state, every city and town, every school district, every public university to spend taxpayer money on a manufactured problem,” she said.
With the override, the measure will take effect despite the governor’s veto.
While Kansas lawmakers resolved that debate, Missouri legislators advanced a separate proposal that could bring changes for drivers statewide.
The Missouri House of Representatives approved House Bill 1838, which would eliminate most vehicle safety inspections across the state. The bill now heads to the Missouri Senate for consideration.
Rep. Mazzie Christensen, a Republican, argued that neighboring states operate without similar inspection requirements.
“I pass more people from Iowa and Minnesota than I do Missouri because I live on the Iowa border,” Christensen said. “They do not have personal safety inspections. Arkansas. Illinois. We can go on and on and on.”
Rep. Melissa Douglas, a Democrat, defended the existing system, saying inspections were established to protect the public.
“Safety inspections were put in place to help protect the public,” Douglas said. “That’s why we have driver’s licenses — to protect the public. This is our reasonable amount of service that we should be providing.”
The measure’s future now rests with the Missouri Senate, where lawmakers will debate whether inspections are a necessary safeguard or an unnecessary cost for drivers.