Urgent Opposition to SB 244 and the “Gut and Go” Abuse of Process

I am writing as a Kansas resident to express my strong opposition to SB 244, formerly HB 2426, and to the deeply troubling way this bill has been advanced. Yesterday in the House Judiciary Committee, a bill that was already harmful on its own was fundamentally transformed without any additional public input. Through a procedural maneuver known as a “gut and go,” the original language was stripped out and replaced with sweeping new provisions that: Restrict restroom use to “sex assigned at birth,” and Prohibit any state or local government entity from offering unisex bathrooms. This maneuver denies Kansans their right to be heard. The original gender marker bill generated hundreds of pieces of opponent testimony. The amended version — which now includes an even more extreme bathroom ban — has received no public hearing at all. If SB 244 passes the House floor, it will go directly to a straight up-or-down vote in the Senate, eliminating any opportunity for the public to weigh in on this drastically revised bill. This is not how a लोकत democratic legislature should function. The use of “gut and go” here is an abuse of power designed to avoid accountability. It sends a clear message that leadership knows this policy is unpopular and is intentionally bypassing public scrutiny to force it through. Substantively, this bill is a targeted attack on transgender Kansans. It will: Put trans people at risk of harassment and violence Force people into unsafe and humiliating situations Make public spaces less accessible, not more Invite discrimination and costly litigation for schools and local governments This legislation does nothing to improve public safety. It exists solely to single out a small, vulnerable group of Kansans for political purposes. Kansas voters have repeatedly shown that they reject this kind of culture-war politics. That is why this bill is being advanced through procedural shortcuts rather than open debate. I urge you to: Oppose SB 244 on the merits, and Reject the use of anti-democratic tactics to advance extremist policy. The legislature should be governed by transparency, public input, and respect for all Kansans — not by fear, bigotry, and procedural gamesmanship. Please vote no on SB 244.