Minutes for HB2426 - Committee on Judiciary

Short Title

Defining the term "gender" to mean biological sex at birth for purposes of statutory construction, directing the division of motor vehicles to invalidate and reissue driver's licenses when necessary when necessary to correct the gender identification on such licenses and directing the office of vital statistics to invalidate and reissue birth certificates when necessary to correct the sex identification on such certificates.

Minutes Content for Tue, Jan 13, 2026

Chair opened the Hearing on HB 2426.

Jason Long, Office of the Revisor, presented the Bill Brief. (Attachment 2)

Proponents:

Proponent Attorney General Kris Kobach testified that this bill attempts to address a decision by the Kansas Court of Appeals by attempting to restore the Legislature's original intent of SB180, reversing changes made to Kansas driver's licenses, and clarifying that the words "sex" and "gender" are used interchangeably in Kansas laws. (Attachment 3)

Discussion ensued.

Proponent Dr. Richard Bosshardt, Visiting Fellow with the Do No Harm Action, testified that from a biological, not legal, point of view, there are only two sexes, male and female, a fundamental biological fact. That we have to have legislation and laws to affirm the basic truth of two sexes speaks to the confusion of our times and subservience of biological reality to radical gender ideology. Since the birth certificate is the original and most fundamental confirmation of birth sex, or should be, then all subsequent documentation should be in agreement with this. (Attachment 4)

Dr. Bosshardt stood for questions.

Proponent Bob Stuart, KBI Executive Officer, testified that gender identification in many areas of law enforcement, including accurate identification, custody handling, search and frisk safety, privacy in single-sex spaces, etc. The KBI is responsible for keeping correct databases and sharing the information with other states, which includes a gender marker. Having correct information is imperative. The legal clarity needs to be resolved. (Attachment 5)

Mr. Stuart stood for questions.

Proponent Dr. Michelle Baalmann, Hospitalist, testified that gender helps to delineate risk for patients. A subjective choice of gender on a driver's license adds another step of diagnosis leading to care of a patient, especially in medical diagnosis and treatment, especially in cases of critical emergency care. (Attachment 6)

Dr. Baalmann stood for questions.

Proponent Lucrecia Nold, Policy Specialist with Kansas Catholic Conference, testified that Christians find their identity in God through scripture, tradition and science. Science supports the biological facts of how we are created and serves as a foundation for society to function safely and orderly. To assist those who have been granted the responsibilities to protect and care for us, such as medical staff and emergency technicians, law enforcement agents, accurate gender identification could help to minimize any possible confusion and conflict. It is important that all legal documents be consistent in their use of the terms gender and sex. (Attachment 7)

Opponents:

Opponent Melissa Stiehler with Loud Light Civic Action testified that this organization strongly supports the LGBTQ+ community, including their right to live a happy, healthy life that is free from government interference in their ability to be themselves in public life. There is a concern that this bill is based on lies and misinformation, feeding into hateful stereotypes that leads to real violence. Loud Light Civic Action is also concerned that this bill does not protect women and girls, but instead weaponizes civil rights against a vulnerable population. (Attachment 8)

Ms. Stiehler stood for questions.

Opponent Iridescent (Riffel) Roney, with Equality Kansas shared her personal experience as a transgender person, cases of violence against transgender people, appealed to the committee to vote against this bill. (Attachment 9)

Opponent Jay Flatland, private citizen, shared from his perspective as the father of two transgender children. He explained that the wiring in some people's minds just doesn't align with their biological sex. He opposes the bill, asking for social acceptance and validation by allowing people to have identification, such as a driver's license, that matches their preferred gender identity. (Attachment 10)

Opponent Elise Flatland, private citizen, testified from the perspective of a mother of two transgender children. She shared the frustration of the continual angst caused by changing laws and policies. She spoke in defense of all Kansans having the right to live openly, safely. with dignity, and knowing their government sees them as human. (Attachment 11)

Opponent Matthew Obold-Geary, private citizen, a lifelong Kansan, presented four main concerns about the bill. First, invalidating existing identity documents causes harm, confusion, and needless stress for individuals who have lawfully amended their documents. Second, the bill failing to consider the well-being of vulnerable communities. Third, practical problems and legal uncertainty, and last, the unnecessary costs of reissuing documents on a large scale. He urged the Committee to oppose HB 2426 and instead focus on legislation that respects the dignity of all Kansans, protects residents from discrimination, and avoids unnecessary burdens on individuals and state agencies. (Attachment 12)

Opponent Brandi Lohman, private citizen, shared personal experience of living under (2025) SB180 and pointed out the exhaustion it has caused in the transgender community. Having opposite gender markers on different legal documents causes confusion, discourages the use of government agencies, and creates concern in the transgender community. (Attachment 13)

Chairperson Humphries drew attention to the Proponent Written Only testimony:

Dennis Truman, Private Citizen (Attachment 14)

Commissioner Mike Stieben, Leavenworth County (Attachment 15)

Gerry Malnar, MD, MBA, Chair of Johnson County Voter Information (Attachment 16)

Brittany Jones, President, Kansas Family Voice (Attachment 17)

Chairperson Humphries drew attention to Opponent Written Only testimony:

Last Names A-D (Attachment 18)

Last Names F-L (Attachment 19)

Last Name M-P (Attachment 20)

Last Name R-W (Attachment 21)

Chair Humphries closed the Hearing on HB 2426.

Chair Humphries adjourned the meeting at 5:35 pm.