Ratifying and providing for the continuation of the state of disaster emergency declaration issued on February 24, 2026, for certain counties.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ken Rahjes

Ratifies and extends the February 24, 2026 disaster emergency in designated Kansas counties, enabling continued state coordination, resources, and emergency powers for a set period

Enrolled and presented to Secretary of State on Friday, March 6, 2026

#resolutions

Summary of HCR 5033 (Kansas, 2025-2026)

Purpose and intent

HCR 5033 is a concurrent resolution ratifying and providing for the continuation of the state of disaster emergency declaration issued on February 24, 2026, for certain counties in Kansas.

The measure seeks to formally recognize and extend the emergency declaration within the specified counties, as determined by the state legislature.

Key provisions and changes

Ratification: The resolution formally ratifies the February 24, 2026 disaster emergency declaration for eligible Kansas counties.

Continuation: It provides for continued emergency status for those counties for a designated period, subject to any conditions or timelines set forth in the resolution or applicable law.

Scope: The declaration applies only to the counties explicitly identified in the February 24, 2026 declaration (the resolution does not specify the counties in the text provided; the bill would authorize continued emergency operations and relief within those counties).

Legislative action: The resolution is a ceremonial and political acknowledgment by the Kansas Legislature, enabling continued state-level coordination, access to emergency powers, and potential allocation of state resources during the emergency period.

Affected parties and entities

Residents and businesses within the identified counties that are encompassed by the February 24, 2026 declaration.

Local governments within those counties that rely on state emergency powers for response and recovery activities.

State agencies and offices involved in emergency management and disaster relief (e.g., Kansas Division of Emergency Management) that execute the declared emergency, coordinate resources, and provide assistance.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Enrollment and presentation: The bill was enrolled and presented to the Secretary of State on March 6, 2026.

Legislative history:

Introduced and referred to the Committee of the Whole on February 26, 2026.
Emergency Final Action adopted in the House on February 26, 2026 (Yea 120, Nay 0, Absent 5).
Referred to the Committee of the Whole on February 26, 2026, with subsequent actions leading to adoption.
Enrolled and presented to Secretary of State on March 6, 2026.

State executive process: As a concurrent resolution, it follows the standard path for ratifying emergency declarations and may affect the duration and oversight of the emergency status within the delineated counties.

Potential impact and considerations

Legal effect: Ratification legitimizes ongoing emergency measures under state law, enabling continued mobilization of resources, suspension or modification of regulatory requirements, and access to state funding or federal disaster programs as applicable.

Duration: The resolution sets the period of continuation for the emergency in the affected counties; once the period ends, further action would be required to extend or terminate the emergency status.

Oversight and accountability: The concurrent resolution may include or imply reporting requirements and legislative oversight of the emergency management activities during the continuation.

If you’d like, I can pull the exact list of affected counties or outline potential funding mechanisms and statutory authorities typically connected to Kansas disaster emergency declarations for deeper context.