Kris Kobach

Rule Changes

Pursuing enforcement of sex-at-birth definitions across state documents

For decades, most U.S. states allowed transgender residents to update the sex listed on their driver's licenses. Kansas just reversed that—not by freezing future changes, but by retroactively invalidating roughly 1,700 licenses and a similar number of birth certificates that had already been updated. The law, published in the Kansas Register on February 26, 2026, took effect immediately with no grace period, meaning affected residents woke up that morning with documents the state now considers invalid.

Updated May 29

Rule Changes

Led legal and legislative push for bathroom and ID restrictions

Kansas passed a law requiring individuals to use bathrooms matching their sex assigned at birth in all government buildings, schools, and universities. The January 28, 2026, vote—87-36 in the House and 30-9 in the Senate—exceeded the two-thirds threshold needed to override Democratic Governor Laura Kelly's expected veto. Violations carry escalating penalties: $1,000 civil fine for a second offense and misdemeanor charges for three or more.

Updated May 23