US EditionJudge Tosses Kobach’s Lawsuit Against Gov. Kelly over SNAP Data
The dismissal halts efforts to compel Kansas officials to share SNAP data amid concerns over privacy and a paused $10.4 million federal funding cut, the judge ruled.
- On September 30, 2025, District Judge Teresa Watson dismissed Attorney General Kris Kobach's lawsuit seeking to compel Governor Laura Kelly and Laura Howard, Secretary of the Kansas Department for Children and Families, to provide SNAP data to the USDA.
- After the USDA rejected the Kansas DCF Corrective Action Proposal, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service demanded personal SNAP information for a national SNAP information database, but Kansas officials refused, citing state privacy rules and data-sharing concerns.
- The judge found the law left room for discretion and declined to order immediate compliance, writing that `Mandamus cannot be used to compel action under such circumstances` under Kansas state law and the administrative appeals board process.
- As a result of the appeal, SNAP administrative funding remained in place, with the state's appeal immediately preventing the USDA from withholding $10.4 million quarterly, Watson said.
- Kobach said, `We disagree with the judge's interpretation of ripeness and are considering an appeal,` while Governor Laura Kelly's office called the Sept. 9 filing premature political theater and said her team sought a meeting before the lawsuit.
12 Articles
12 Articles
The Lawton Constitution
Judge throws out Kansas AG Kris Kobach’s lawsuit over Gov. Kelly’s refusal to give feds SNAP data
A Kansas judge sided with Gov. Laura Kelly on Monday, throwing out a lawsuit that sought to compel the Democratic executive to turn over food assistance beneficiaries’ personal information to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Judge tosses Kobach’s lawsuit against Gov. Kelly over SNAP data
A Kansas judge on Monday ruled in favor of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, tossing out Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach’s lawsuit over a demand for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit data to be turned over to the federal government.
ICYMI: Kansas AG Kris Kobach Wastes Taxpayer Dollars on Losing Lawsuit Dismissed by Court - Democratic Attorneys General Association
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, a Kansas judge dismissed a meritless lawsuit brought by Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach against Gov. Laura Kelly after she defended Kansans data privacy rights against the Trump administration’s unlawful request for sensitive personal data from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Once again, Kobach does not have his priorities straight. While Democratic AGs have fought hard to restore crucial f…
derbyinformer.com
The Lawrence TimesKansas judge dismisses Kobach’s lawsuit over governor’s refusal to give food program data to feds
TOPEKA — A Kansas district court judge on Tuesday dismissed a case filed by Attorney General Kris Kobach that challenged the right of Gov. Laura Kelly’s administration to withhold Kansans’ personal data from the federal government. In a 21-page order,…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
