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The State Senate and the House of Representatives make up the Legislative Branch. There are 40 senators and 125 representatives, all elected by the voters of Kansas. Each senator represents approximately 58,982 people and each house member represents about 18,874 Kansans. Senators serve four-year terms and representatives serve two-year terms. The Legislature, which meets annually, has the responsibility to create, amend or repeal state laws; appropriate money to be spent by state government; review rules and regulations of state agencies and departments; propose amendments to the Kansas Constitution; and approve or disapprove proposed amendments to the federal constitution.

Since the late 1960s, the Legislature has made great progress towards becoming a truly efficient and effective lawmaking body. A "Legislative Improvement Award" was presented to the Kansas Legislature in 1976. The award was given by Legis 50/The Center for Legislative Improvement ". . . to recognize the progress made in strengthening the legislative institution in order to provide better representation for the people of the state of Kansas."

One major reform enacted in recent years is the lengthening and expanding of legislative sessions to allow more time and flexibility. Sessions are now limited to 90 days in even-numbered years and are unlimited in odd-numbered years, although generally they are held to 90 days.

Organizational meetings are now held every other year, following election of new legislators, before the session begins. Legislative officers are chosen at that time, and the meetings give freshman lawmakers a chance to get oriented.

Pre-filing of legislative bills between sessions, carry-over of bills from one session to the next in non-election years, and committee meetings between sessions are reforms which have helped to increase flexibility and provide better workload distribution.

Reconstructing and improvement of support services have been vital elements in the legislative revamping. All legislators now have offices in the Capitol available throughout the year, and clerical services are provided during sessions. The legislative leaders have full-time administrative and clerical staffs. The Revisor of Statutes' Office, the Division of Legislative Administrative Services and other support offices have been strengthened. Increased pay for legislators has made service in the lawmaking body more attractive to and possible for qualified citizens.

Strong ethics legislation has been adopted to regulate legislative lobbying by special interest groups.

Executive Branch

Judicial Branch