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HB 2652

Requiring the clerk of the appellate courts to publish monthly a list of cases of the supreme court and court of appeals in which a decision has not been entered and filed within six months of submission and a list of cases in which a petition for review has not been granted or denied within six months of submission.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas appellate courts must publish monthly lists of cases delayed over six months, creating public accountability for judicial processing times.

Enrolled and presented to Governor on Monday, March 30, 2026
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Bill Summary · HB 2652

Legislative bill overview

HB 2652 requires Kansas appellate court clerks to publish monthly lists of cases where decisions haven't been issued within six months of submission, and petitions for review that haven't been ruled on within the same timeframe. This creates a public transparency mechanism for tracking judicial delays in the state's supreme court and court of appeals.

Why is this important

Court backlogs directly affect litigants' access to justice and the finality of legal disputes. Publishing these lists exposes delays publicly, potentially creating institutional pressure for courts to resolve cases more promptly. It also allows the public and policymakers to identify systemic bottlenecks in the appellate system.

Potential points of contention

  • Judicial independence concerns: Some may argue that publishing lists creates improper political or public pressure on judges, potentially compromising independent decision-making rather than addressing root causes of delays
  • Resource allocation debate: The bill doesn't address whether delays stem from insufficient judicial staff or court funding—critics may contend transparency alone won't solve delays without corresponding resource increases
  • Accuracy and context issues: Published lists lack nuance about case complexity; a six-month delay on a simple case versus a complex matter may appear equivalent, potentially misleading the public about actual performance

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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