Sydney Carlin is a Democratic state representative from Kansas House District 66 who has represented the district since 2003 and is seeking re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election.[1]Carlin is a former mayor of Manhattan, Kansas.[1]
Sydney Carlin was born in Wichita, Kansas, attended Neosho County Community College and earned a bachelor's degree from Kansas State University.[1]She has worked as an office manager with the Manhattan Country Club and served as a city commissioner of Manhattan from 1993 to 1996 and as its mayor from 1996 to 1997.[1]Carlin has been a member of The Martin Luther King Committee, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Colonists, PEO, Konza Prairie Quilters Guild and the American Association of University Women, a charter member of the Fairy Godmothers Foundation, and co-founder of Manhattan Women 4 Kansas.[1]
Carlin has represented District 66 since 2003.[1]In the 2025-2026 session she was assigned to the Taxation and Veterans and Military committees and is the ranking minority member of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee.[1]She faces Republican Noah Perry and Libertarian Andrew Frey in the general election.[1]
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned
›Jobs & cost of living181 with · 25 against206 votes
Lets voters petition against local budgets whose property tax revenue exceeds last year's plus inflation (capped at 3 percent). If 10 percent of registered voters sign, the budget is disapproved and limited to prior-year property taxes. Moves the school budget deadline to October 1.
On the version voted Feb 26, 2026: Makes supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2026 and appropriations for later fiscal years for state agencies, authorizing certain transfers, capital improvement projects, and fees.
Limits the ban on prepayment penalties more than six months after signing to home loans made for personal, family or household purposes, which lets lenders charge prepayment penalties on business-purpose home loans.
Requires political subdivisions to hold an open meeting and make written findings before approving a contingent-fee legal services contract, and requires Attorney General approval before it takes effect; the provisions expire July 1, 2029.
Repeals the Mail Ballot Election Act and all provisions authorizing elections conducted exclusively by mail ballot, without changing advance voting by mail in primary, general, or special elections.
On the version voted Mar 24, 2025: Renames the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission, requires closing campaign accounts of officeholders who decline to run or lose re-election, and amends other campaign finance rules.
Directs the Department for Children and Families to request a federal waiver to bar buying candy and soft drinks with SNAP food assistance, and to bar those purchases if approved. If denied, it must reapply each year.
Directs the children and families secretary to request a federal waiver barring purchase of candy and soft drinks with SNAP benefits, to re-request it yearly if denied, and to implement it within six months if granted.
Requires public school districts to give elementary students 30 minutes of organized recess daily from 2027-28, bars withholding recess as discipline unless a student is an immediate threat, and requires an annual state physical fitness test for grades 1 through 12.
On the version voted Mar 17, 2026: Has Kansas elect to take part in the federal tax credit for contributions to scholarship granting organizations for tax years after 2026, and raises the aggregate cap on the state's low-income scholarship tax credit program.
Requires public school districts to give elementary students 30 minutes of organized recess daily from 2027-28, bars withholding recess as discipline unless a student is an immediate threat, and requires an annual state physical fitness test for grades 1 through 12.
Requires nursing school faculty to hold a nursing degree at least one level above the degree of the program they teach, bars the Board of Nursing from requiring more advanced credentials, and lets the Board grant exemptions to schools with hiring hardships.
Bars cities and counties from enforcing building codes, ordinances, or permit and license requirements against non-public registered agritourism locations: working farms of 160 acres or less with an agricultural education facility, open to the public by invitation only.
Deems a pesticide label to satisfy state health or safety warning requirements if it matches the most recent federal health assessment or EPA carcinogenicity classification, without barring claims unrelated to warnings or labeling.
Requires local governments to approve or deny single-family building permits within 60 days of a complete application or the permit is deemed approved, and requires the health department to act on construction stormwater notices within 45 days.
Limits the ban on prepayment penalties more than six months after signing to home loans made for personal, family or household purposes, which lets lenders charge prepayment penalties on business-purpose home loans.
Proposes a constitutional amendment, from tax year 2028, taxing residential, commercial, industrial and farm-building property at the lesser of fair market value or average fair market value, and letting the Legislature set valuation limits for property classes.
On the version voted Apr 10, 2026: Bars cities and counties from adopting or enforcing local rules that stop landlords from refusing housing-voucher payments, restrict tenant screening criteria, cap security deposits, or require a right of first refusal for tenants; voids such rules adopted before July 1, 2026.
Requires driver's licenses to list citizenship status and lets a person whose license lists them as a noncitizen but who claims to be a citizen obtain a provisional ballot.
Requires the Division of Vehicles to give the Secretary of State a quarterly list of noncitizens with driver's licenses, checked against voter rolls; county officials must remove matching noncitizens within five business days and notify them they can be reinstated with proof of citizenship.
On the version voted Mar 13, 2025: Authorizes a Hunter Nation license plate starting January 1, 2026, for passenger vehicles and trucks up to 20,000 pounds. Hunter Nation, Inc. sets a royalty of $25 to $100, paid at issuance and renewal.
Enacts the SAVE Act, barring compensation for referring a veteran to others, and for services on claims filed within one year of active-duty release unless the veteran signs a waiver; requires written fee agreements before services.
Expands veteran's preference in government hiring to certain National Guard and reserve members and eligible spouses, creates a Capitol kiosk listing Kansas military members killed in service, creates a Kansas Military Affairs Commission, and limits fees for help with veterans benefits claims.
Declares the World Health Organization, United Nations and World Economic Forum have no jurisdiction in Kansas and bars the state, its agencies and local governments from enforcing any of their rules, fees, taxes, policies or mandates.
Limits online voter registration to .gov websites or sites approved by the Secretary of State under data-protection criteria, and makes running an unapproved voter registration website a crime.
Bars state agencies from letting employees access designated foreign-adversary AI platforms such as DeepSeek on state devices and networks, and bars medical and research facilities from using genetic sequencers and software made by foreign adversaries.
Requires public school districts, and permits accredited nonpublic schools, to adopt policies banning student cell phone use during the school day, with phones turned off and stowed, sets enforcement procedures, and provides indemnity for lost or damaged devices.
Voted against most of their party on 36 of 307 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Jobs & cost of living (17), Rights & public safety (9), Education & families (5)
Enacting the Kansas sports authority act, authorizing STAR bond projects in major amusement park areas and extending the expiration date of the STAR bonds financing act.
A yes vote adopted the conference committee report on HB 2466, which creates the Kansas Sports Facilities Authority to build a stadium for an NFL team, extends STAR Bonds to 2031, and changes Attracting Professional Sports Fund uses. (AI-written)
What it does: Creates the Kansas Sports Facilities Authority to build a stadium and related infrastructure for an NFL team's home games. Changes STAR Bonds law, extending it to July 1, 2031, and modifies the authorized uses of the…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 16–18, Republicans 62–26
Senate Substitute for HB 2402 by Committee on Education - Requiring eligible boards of education to consider participation in the community eligibility provision, providing a financial hardship exception to such participation, requiring the state department of education to assist school districts seeking such participation, extending the application deadline for authorization to operate as a public innovative district from December 1 to May 1 and deeming such applications approved if not approved or denied within 45 days of submission.
A yes vote adopted the conference committee report on Senate Sub. for HB 2402, which requires certain school districts to annually consider the Community Eligibility Provision for school meals and changes the Public Innovative District Act. (AI-written)
What it does: Requires school boards with a school where at least 50 percent of students are directly certified for free lunch to annually consider joining the federal Community Eligibility Provision. Also moves Public Innovative D…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 3–33, Republicans 88–0
Changing the name of juvenile crisis intervention centers to juvenile stabilization centers, modifying the intake criteria for such centers, prohibiting certain rules and regulations for such centers, modifying the treatment and services provided by such centers, increasing the cumulative detention limit for juvenile offenders and criminal penalties for juvenile offenders who use a firearm in the commission of an offense or who are repeat offenders, providing for increased placement of offenders in non-foster home beds in youth residential facilities, requiring the secretary of corrections to pay for the costs associated with such placements, authorizing the secretary to make expenditures from the evidence-based programs account of the state general fund moneys to contract for such beds and transferring moneys from such account of the state general fund to the department for children and families to provide juvenile stabilization services.
A yes vote adopted the conference committee report on HB 2329, which changes juvenile sentencing and placement rules, renames juvenile crisis intervention centers as stabilization centers (adding HB 2639), and lowers a corrections spending cap to $4.5 million. (AI-written)
What it does: On the version voted Apr 9, 2026: Renames juvenile crisis intervention centers as juvenile stabilization centers and changes their intake criteria and services. Directs the corrections secretary to contract for out-of…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 4–31, Republicans 85–1
Senate Substitute for HB 2501 by Committee on Federal and State Affairs - Providing for immunity from civil liability to federal firearms licensees for returning a firearm to the firearm owner at the termination of a firearm hold agreement, removing the criminal prohibition against firearm suppressors and shotgun barrel length qualification requirements and providing enhanced penalties for certain felonies committed while using a firearm suppressor or short-barrel shotgun.
A yes vote adopted the conference committee report on Senate Sub. for HB 2501, which removes suppressors from weapons crimes, raises sentences for felonies using them or short-barrel shotguns, and uses House Sub. for SB 356's firearm hold agreement provisions. (AI-written)
What it does: Sets rules for firearm hold agreements, where a licensed dealer stores an owner's firearm, including dealer civil immunity. Removes suppressors and the 18-inch shotgun barrel minimum from state weapons crimes; raises…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 14–21, Republicans 85–1
Enacting the proxy advisor transparency act, requiring proxy advisors to make certain disclosures when recommending an action against company management, authorizing the attorney general to investigate and take enforcement actions against violators and establishing a private right of action for a declaratory judgment or injunctive relief.
What it does: On the version voted Apr 9, 2026: Requires proxy advisors that recommend against company management to tell clients and the company's board whether the recommendation rests on a written financial analysis, and to shar…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 1–36, Republicans 83–4
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
HB 2763 · KS HOUSE
Requiring school districts to provide elementary students with a certain amount of daily recess, prohibiting limiting or withholding recess for disciplinary reasons, requiring a Kansas state fitness test and designating required recess time as part of the school term.
NoVOTED
Motion: Conference Committee Report was adopted
A yes vote adopted the conference committee report on HB 2763, the elementary school recess bill, accepting the compromise text negotiated between the House and Senate. (AI-written)
Requires public school districts to give elementary students 30 minutes of organized recess daily from 2027-28, bars withholding recess as discipline unless a student is an immediate threat, and requires an annual state physical fitness test for grades 1 through 12.
Proposing to amend section 1 of article 11 of the constitution of the state of Kansas to value residential real, commercial and industrial real property and mobile homes property based on the fair market value or average fair market value of the residential portion and providing the legislature the authority to establish valuation limits for any classes or subclasses of property.
NoVOTED
Motion: Motion to concur with amendments failed
A yes vote agreed to the Senate's amendments to HCR 5008, the constitutional amendment on valuing residential, commercial and industrial property. (AI-written)
Proposes a constitutional amendment, from tax year 2028, taxing residential, commercial, industrial and farm-building property at the lesser of fair market value or average fair market value, and letting the Legislature set valuation limits for property classes.
Providing that certain portions of the crime of cruelty to animals do not apply to any person who catches a feral cat to provide vaccination, spaying or neutering and returns such cat back to the location where such cat is caught.
YesVOTED
Motion: Motion to not adopt Conference Committee Report passed; (Bill is killed)
As rewritten by the conference report voted on, lets Butler, Labette and Leavenworth counties ask voters to approve extra countywide sales taxes for property tax relief, fire departments and emergency management, and keeps the current city-county sales tax sharing formula through 2027.
Making and concerning supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2026 and appropriations for fiscal years 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030 for various state agencies, authorizing certain capital improvement projects and fees, authorizing certain transfers.
NoVOTED
Motion: Motion to override line item veto prevailed; Line item veto 88(k), 88(m) overridden
A yes vote overrode the governor's line-item veto of two provisions in the state budget bill (HB 2513) creating a school-district penalty process for student walkouts and setting education program spending. (AI-written)
Sets state agency spending for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, including about $27.8 billion in fiscal year 2026 and $26.8 billion in fiscal year 2027 from all funds, and funds a new Office of Early Childhood.
Making and concerning supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2026 and appropriations for fiscal years 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030 for various state agencies, authorizing certain capital improvement projects and fees, authorizing certain transfers.
NoVOTED
Motion: Motion to override line item veto prevailed; Line item veto 26(a), 53(b), 54(w) overridden
A yes vote overrode the governor's line-item vetoes in the budget bill (HB 2513), including a provision letting state employees and legislators park in ungated state lots from 5 to 11 p.m. (AI-written)
Sets state agency spending for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, including about $27.8 billion in fiscal year 2026 and $26.8 billion in fiscal year 2027 from all funds, and funds a new Office of Early Childhood.
Making and concerning supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2026 and appropriations for fiscal years 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030 for various state agencies, authorizing certain capital improvement projects and fees, authorizing certain transfers.
NoVOTED
Motion: Motion to override line item veto failed; Line item veto 37(e) sustained
A yes vote overrode the governor's line-item veto of the budget bill's aviation loan program, which authorizes loans to airport authorities and aircraft maintenance firms funded by up to $50 million. (AI-written)
Sets state agency spending for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, including about $27.8 billion in fiscal year 2026 and $26.8 billion in fiscal year 2027 from all funds, and funds a new Office of Early Childhood.
Making and concerning supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2026 and appropriations for fiscal years 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030 for various state agencies, authorizing certain capital improvement projects and fees, authorizing certain transfers.
NoVOTED
Motion: Motion to override line item veto prevailed; Line item veto 54(u), 54(y) overridden
A yes vote overrode the governor's line-item vetoes of two budget provisions: performance-metric requirements for state-funded program applicants, and unlimited access to state accounting systems for legislative fiscal auditors. (AI-written)
Sets state agency spending for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, including about $27.8 billion in fiscal year 2026 and $26.8 billion in fiscal year 2027 from all funds, and funds a new Office of Early Childhood.
Making and concerning supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2026 and appropriations for fiscal years 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030 for various state agencies, authorizing certain capital improvement projects and fees, authorizing certain transfers.
NoVOTED
Motion: Motion to override line item veto prevailed; Line item veto 15(b), 15(c) overridden
A yes vote overrode the governor's line-item vetoes in the budget bill (HB 2513) of the Board of Nursing's nurse fair treatment and recovery fund and a $500,000 transfer into it. (AI-written)
Sets state agency spending for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, including about $27.8 billion in fiscal year 2026 and $26.8 billion in fiscal year 2027 from all funds, and funds a new Office of Early Childhood.
Making and concerning supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2026 and appropriations for fiscal years 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030 for various state agencies, authorizing certain capital improvement projects and fees, authorizing certain transfers.
NoVOTED
Motion: Motion to override line item veto prevailed; Line item veto 37(a) overridden
A yes vote overrode the governor's line-item veto of the State Treasurer's $3 million pregnancy compassion awareness program (formerly the alternatives to abortion program) in the budget bill. (AI-written)
Sets state agency spending for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, including about $27.8 billion in fiscal year 2026 and $26.8 billion in fiscal year 2027 from all funds, and funds a new Office of Early Childhood.
Making and concerning supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2026 and appropriations for fiscal years 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030 for various state agencies, authorizing certain capital improvement projects and fees, authorizing certain transfers.
NoVOTED
Motion: Motion to override line item veto prevailed; Line item veto 72(l), 74(p) overridden
A yes vote overrode the governor's line-item vetoes of two budget provisions requiring spending to implement the CDC immunization schedules in effect July 1, 2026, including Medicaid coverage. (AI-written)
Sets state agency spending for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, including about $27.8 billion in fiscal year 2026 and $26.8 billion in fiscal year 2027 from all funds, and funds a new Office of Early Childhood.
