For Immediate Release:
April 6, 2026
Contact:
Grace Hoge
Grace.Hoge@ks.gov
Governor Kelly Signs Bipartisan Bill Expanding Opportunities for Attorneys in Rural Areas
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly has signed Substitute for House Bill 2595 (Sub for HB 2595), establishing the Attorney Training Program for Rural Kansas Act to encourage and expand opportunities and incentives for licensed attorneys or Kansas law students to practice in rural areas. The bill also establishes the Attorney Loan Repayment Program for Rural Kansas.
“Increasing access to attorneys in rural areas is key to ensuring that all Kansans have access to the well-qualified representation they are legally entitled to,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “By signing this commonsense bill, we are supporting law students and addressing our current shortage of attorneys in rural areas to build stronger, thriving Kansas communities.”
Sub for HB 2595 increases opportunities and incentives for licensed attorneys or those pursuing a law degree at the University of Kansas or Washburn University to practice law in rural Kansas, specifically in counties other than Douglas, Johnson, Sedgwick, Shawnee, and Wyandotte. The bill also establishes the Law Student Training and Stipend Program for Rural Kansas, which will be administered by the Department of Commerce in coordination with Washburn University and the University of Kansas for law students at those respective universities. Preference will be given to students who are Kansas residents.
“This bill takes meaningful, long-term steps to address the shortage of attorneys in Kansas’ rural areas, which has been decreasing as older attorneys retire,” said Representative Ken Rahjes, District 110. “Access to legal representation is a fundamental pillar of our justice system. Now more than ever, it is critical that we have qualified legal representation to preserve the economic and civic health of rural Kansas.”
The bill will provide a stipend of up to $3,000 per school year for up to three years to each student entering the Law Student Training and Stipend Program. The stipend can be used for tuition, books, supplies, or other school expenses. Students would be required to practice law in a rural area for a minimum of one year for each year they receive the stipend. Additionally, Sub for HB 2595 establishes the Attorney Training and Loan Repayment Program for Rural Kansas, providing loan repayment of $20,000 per year for attorneys who live and practice in a qualifying area for up to five years.
“Sub for HB 2595 is a good example of what the legislature can do when it sets aside partisanship and focuses on what is best for Kansans. The lack of attorneys in rural areas has put the state on the verge of a constitutional crisis,” said Representative Linda Featherston, District 16. “Sub for HB 2595 will help avert this crisis by encouraging legal practices in rural Kansas. This will help ensure justice for all Kansans.”
In addition to Sub for HB 2595, Governor Kelly also signed the following bipartisan bills:
House Bill 2444: Providing that jail credit when consecutive sentences are imposed shall not apply to more than one case and creating special sentencing rules and requiring certain minimum bonds when a felony is committed by certain offenders while on probation, parole, or post-release supervision.
House Bill 2467: Prohibiting past convictions or sanctions for failure to comply with a traffic citation that are more than five years old from being considered by courts and the division of vehicles in determining suspended or restricted driving privileges and eliminating certain notice requirements for the division of vehicles.
House Bill 2470: Providing that certain municipalities may designate the entire municipality within a neighborhood revitalization area under the Kansas neighborhood revitalization act.
House Bill 2487: Defining teacher and paraprofessional for purposes of eligibility for a scholarship under the Kansas education opportunity scholarship program.
House Bill 2520: Increasing the number of allowed residents in a home plus facility from 12 to 16.
House Bill 2539: Requiring that the members of the Eudora community library district board of directors be elected to such positions.
House Bill 2552: Requiring criminal presentence investigation reports and journal entries to be completed and submitted in the form and manner prescribed and approved by the Kansas Sentencing Commission.
House Bill 2562: Permitting the issuance of a special license plate or permanent or temporary placard for a person with a disability based on documentation of satisfactory proof of disability from a physical therapist.
Senate Substitute for House Bill 2571: Increasing the cost threshold for when a county shall use the public bidding process in awarding a construction contract.
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