Internship Program

The application deadline for the 2010 Legislative Intern Program has passed.  If you would like to intern during the 2010 election cycle next summer/fall please e-mail dustin.hardison@kshousedems.com.  The application process for the next legislative session will reopen in the fall of 2010.  Thank you for your interest. 

About the Kansas Legislative Internship Program

The Kansas House of Representative's Internship Program is overseen by the Speaker Pro Tem's office. However, if you prefer to work with a legislator from the House Democratic Caucus, you may submit your application to the House Minority Leader's Office and it will be forwarded to the appropriate office. The Internship Program is an excellent opportunity for college students to learn about state government and the legislative process in Kansas. Interns are paired with state legislators (either in the House or Senate) and will work directly with that legislator for the entirety of the legislative session (January-April). Students may obtain college credit for their internship if allowed by the student's university. If you are a Kansas college student seeking to gain experience and a better understanding of state government, the Kansas Legislature's Intern Program may be for you!

Submit your application online

Download a PDF of the internship application

Download a PDF of the internship terms and conditions

Download a PDF of the confidentiality agreement


*All three documents must be submitted for consideration to the Kansas Legislative Internship Program.  You may e-mail completed forms to dustin.hardison@house.ks.gov.

Important Dates

All intern applications are due by December 4, 2009. Interns who do not apply and do not attend the required orientation on January 7, 2009, will not be eligible for all the benefits of the internship program (parking, mileage reimbursement, academic credit, etc.). Intern application materials have already been sent to all Kansas secondary educational institutions.  Internships will begin the week of January 11, 2010 (the first week of the 2010 legislative session).  You will be expected to make contact with your legislator by then.

Legislator Request

Our staff wishes to provide you with the best internship experience possible.  If you you prefer to work with a specific Democratic legislator, you may arrange this with the legislator directly and include the preference on your application. Requests will be handled on a first come, first served basis.  If you simply have a Democratic party preference, please contact the House Minority Leader's Office to help determine which legislator might be the right fit.  Regardless of whether you have a legislator preference, we would enjoy the opportunity to meet you individually before December 16th.  This is not a formal interview and is not required, we just want to learn more about you, your background, and your 2010 spring schedule before assigning you to a legislator.  This will ensure that you are paired with a compatible member who can teach you more about your specific policy interests. Please e-mail dustin.hardison@house.ks.gov to schedule a time to meet.

Goals and Expectations

The following are expectations and goals you and your intern should have for their experience in the Kansas Legislature. Working with your intern, you should be able to provide an environment for him/her to gain experience in most, if not all, of the following areas:

  • Write a bill brief
  • Write constituent correspondence
  • Write a press release
  • Aid constituents in casework (negotiate state agencies)
  • Track legislation
  • Understand the basics of floor debate and voting
  • Understand General Orders and Committee of the Whole
  • Understand the committee process (procedural and strategic)
  • Develop a policy proposal
  • Understand key points of major legislation/debate
  • Describe and understand the governmental relationship between various officers (Governor, Attorney General, Speaker of the House, etc.)
  • Understand the Legislative Calendar and how it impacts legislative development
  • Be familiar with key tenants of some or all of the following state issues: agriculture, education finance, eminent domain, gaming, health care, immigration, and energy

Applicant Requirements

To be eligible to intern in the Kansas Legislative Internship Program, the applicant must be a credit seeking student in a Kansas high school, secondary, or post-secondary education institution. Interns cannot be family members of those whom they serve. All internships are unpaid though mileage may be reimbursed for up to $600.

Program Completion

All interns will have to meet the following requirements to successfully complete the Kansas Legislative Internship Program.

  • Attend Intern Orientation in early January (prior to the start of the legislative session)
  • Work at the Capitol a minimum of 12 eight-hour days during the regular session (64 hours total, may be divided to coordinate the intern's schedule).
  • Submit a Policy Proposal project completed for their legislator
  • Submit an evaluation of their internship
  • Submit an evaluation by their legislator of their performance
End of Internship Forms:

For Information Regarding College Credit

To learn more about the process for obtaining college credit for your internship (regardless of what caucus you prefer), you must contact your University directly. Listed below are contacts for the legislative internship programs at major Kansas universities.

If your university is not listed above, please contact your political science department.

© 2008 Kansans House Democratic Caucus. Paid for by Kansans for a Democratic House, Dustin Hardison, Treasurer.
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