The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is a cabinet-level agency with a Secretary appointed by the Governor. Agency staff testify before various legislative committees throughout the year to inform policy makers. 

The 2026 Legislative Session began on January 12, 2026. 

HB 2423 Allowing hunters who are federally licensed drone operators to use drones to locate wounded or recently deceased deer.

Bill referred to Committee on Federal and State Affairs.
Hearing: Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 9:00 AM Room 346-S

HB 2495 Authorizing counties to adopt resolutions to regulate activities on or within navigable rivers and adding navigable rivers to the crime of criminal trespass.

Bill referred to Committee on Local Government.
Hearing: Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 9:00 AM Room 281-N

HB 2502  Requiring the Kansas department of wildlife and parks to offer discounted resident senior combination hunting and fishing passes to residents of this state who are 65 years of age or older and removing the expiration date for Kansas kids lifetime combination hunting and fishing licenses.

Bill referred to Committee on Federal and State Affairs.
Hearing: Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 9:00 AM Room 346-S
Final Action: Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 9:00 AM Room 346-S

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks took a neutral stance on this bill. Read KDWP's testimony here.

HB 2505 Providing an exception for Kansas department of wildlife and parks records regarding the location of any species that is threatened, endangered or in need of conservation from the disclosure requirements of the Kansas open records act.

Bill referred to Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Hearing: Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 9:00 AM Room 346-S
Final Action: Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 9:00 AM Room 346-S

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is a proponent of this bill. Read KDWP's testimony here.

HB 2507 Removing the requirement for migratory waterfowl stamps to be validated by a signature across the face of each such stamp and increasing the fees for such stamps.

Bill referred to Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Hearing: Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 9:00 AM Room 346-S
Final Action: Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 9:00 AM Room 346-S

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is a proponent of this bill. Read KDWP's testimony here.

HB 2511 Permitting moneys received from agricultural production on a state-owned property to be used for the management of all state-owned properties.

Bill referred to Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Hearing: Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 9:00 AM Room 346-S
Final Action: Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 9:00 AM Room 346-S

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is a proponent of this bill. Read KDWP's testimony here.

HB 2543 Requiring an annual reimbursement to the Kansas department of wildlife and parks for lost revenue from free or discounted hunting and fishing licenses, permits or passes that were established by legislative enactment on or after July 1, 2027.

Bill referred to Committee on Appropriations

HB 2547 Requiring a valid upland game bird stamp prior to taking any upland game bird in this state, except on private land, establishing the upland game bird restoration fund and requiring the department of wildlife and parks to use moneys from such fund for the procurement and release of upland game birds.

Bill referred to Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources
Hearing: Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 3:30 PM Room 112-N

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks took a neutral stance on this bill. Read KDWP's testimony here and view the 2025 Upland Bird Forecast here.

HB 2568 Authorizing the adoption of certain rules and regulations related to fees, registrations and other charges by the department of wildlife and parks.

Bill referred to Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Hearing: Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 9:00 AM Room 346-S

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is a proponent of this bill. Read KDWP's testimony here.

HB 2687 Prohibiting any governmental agency from regulating landings, takeoffs or the operation of aquatic aircraft on waters of the state.

Bill referred to Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Hearing: Thursday, February 12, 9:00 AM Room 346-S

HB 2633 Increasing the service charge fee for each license, permit, stamp or other issue of the department of wildlife and parks to an amount of not to exceed $2.00 and, in the case of each migratory waterfowl habitat stamp, an amount of not to exceed $1.00.

Bill referred to Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources
Hearing: Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 3:30 PM Room 112-N

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks took a neutral stance on this bill. Read KDWP's testimony here.

SB 364 Requiring the department of wildlife and parks to offer a discounted resident senior combination hunting and fishing license to residents of Kansas who are 65.

Bill referred to Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources
Hearing: Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 8:30 AM Room 144-S

The Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources recommended SB 364 be passed.

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks took a neutral stance on this bill. Read KDWP's testimony here.