FAQ
Visiting the Kansas Capitol
- How can I schedule a tour of the Kansas Capitol?
- Where can I park if I want to visit the Kansas Capitol?
Committees
- When do the standing committees of the House and Senate meet?
- While I am at the State Capitol, are there any work areas available for me to use to prepare testimony or to organize my materials?
The Legislative Session
- When does the Legislature convene? How long is a legislative session?
- When does each house of the Legislature meet?
Bills and Statutes
- Can I retrieve the text of bills and other documents electronically?
- Are there any services for the physically challenged during public hearings of the Legislature?
Visiting the Kansas Capitol
How do I schedule a tour of the Kansas State Capitol?Free guided tours of the Kansas State Capitol and Capitol Dome are available year-round and provided by the Kansas State Historical Society. Among the attractions you will see during your visit you are the newly restored House and Senate Chambers, the State Library, the Governor's Office, and the famous John Steuart Curry murals. Call 785.296.3966 for more detailed information and tour schedules.
Where can I park if I want to visit the Kansas State Capitol?
Free visitor parking is available for two hours per visit underneath the Capitol building, which can be accessed on Jackson Street. There is also meter parking available on sidestreets surrounding the building. Due to construction, certain entrances are not available for public use. If you park on a sidestreet, please plan to enter on the east side of the building.
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Committees
When do the standing committees of the House and Senate meet?Times for standing committees may change depending on what is happening on the House floor, so you should check the committee's agenda daily, which is usually posted outside the House chamber. For the most part, however, committee times remain consistent and are posted on the Kansas Legislature's website.
While I am at the State Capitol, are there any work areas available for me to use to prepare testimony or to organize my materials?
Unfortunately, due to construction space in the Capitol is extremely limited (and is even more crowded during session with lobbyists, visiting students, pages, interns, guests, and media). There are public computers available in the State Library of Kansas (located on the third floor), but it is recommended that you come to the Capitol fully prepared and organized for your committee meeting.
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The Legislative Session
When does the Legislature convene? How long is a legislative session?The legislative session begins the second Monday of January and lasts through the end of April, approximately 90 days. The ceremonial ending of the legislative session varies from year to year, but usually occurs a few weeks after official business concludes, toward the end of May.
When does each house of the Legislature meet?
Times for each chamber vary from day to day during the legislative session. Most days, however, the House convenes at 11:00 a.m. and the Senate convenes at 2:00 p.m. Visitors are allowed in the galleries of both chambers while they are in session.
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Bills and Statutes
Can retrieve the text of bills and other documents electronically?
Yes. To retrieve full text of bills, conference committee briefs, or statutes, simply go to the Kansas Legislature's web site and enter the year and bill number.
Are there any services for the physically challenged during public hearings of the Legislature?
Absolutely. Please contact the committee secretary in advance if you need special assistance during a committee hearing.
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