Kansas Bills

HB 2659 requires all election audits and recounts in Kansas to be conducted by hand-counting physical paper ballots, rather than using electronic systems. It directly affects Kansas election officials, voters, and candidates by mandating that paper ballots become the official record for audits and recounts, with hand counts overriding any electronic tallies if discrepancies arise. Key provisions include banning the use of ballot images or copies for audits, requiring voter-verified paper ballots for all elections after 2024, and prohibiting electronic poll books without handwritten signatures. The bill also specifies that audits must be performed publicly by bipartisan election boards, reviewing contested races as defined by election year type.

SB 452 amends Kansas statutes to clarify that federal law enforcement officers are included in definitions used for traffic laws, crimes like interference with law enforcement, and public building access. It ensures federal officers are subject to the same traffic regulations as state/local officers and expands the "interference with law enforcement" crime to cover federal officers. The bill also clarifies that enforcing federal laws falls under the Tort Claims Act, removing ambiguity about liability coverage for federal law enforcement actions. This is a definitional update affecting how Kansas applies its laws to federal officers, not a new policy.

SB 475 requires Kansas hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to use surgical smoke plume evacuation systems during procedures that generate smoke, such as those using lasers or electrosurgery. The law, effective January 1, 2027, mandates these facilities to adopt written policies ensuring smoke is captured at its source before it reaches patients or staff. It directly affects all licensed healthcare facilities performing smoke-producing surgeries, focusing on equipment installation and standardized protocols. The bill defines "surgical smoke" broadly to include emissions from common energy-based surgical tools. This is a safety-focused requirement with no financial or administrative provisions beyond the mandated systems and policies.

SB 443 requires landlords to have a valid legal reason (such as non-payment of rent, lease violations, or property damage) to evict residential tenants, replacing the previous "no cause" standard. It mandates that eviction petitions include the rental agreement, the notice given to the tenant, and any evidence the landlord plans to use. The bill also removes the requirement for tenants to post a bond to request a court delay (continuance) in eviction cases. These changes apply to all residential eviction lawsuits in Kansas.

HB 2712 amends Kansas law to allow counties to impose a new countywide retailers' sales tax for specific projects, with revenue dedicated to those projects and capped at 2% of the tax base. It limits special purpose sales taxes to a maximum 10-year duration, requiring counties to use funds only for approved projects like courthouses, jails, or infrastructure. The bill affects Kansas counties seeking to fund capital projects through this tax method, updating existing statutes to clarify voter approval processes and revenue restrictions. It does not change existing tax rates but establishes new rules for future countywide sales tax initiatives.

SB 447 establishes a 15-member domestic violence task force within Kansas' Attorney General's office to study state domestic violence laws and services. The task force, including survivors, advocates, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and law enforcement representatives, will review enforcement gaps, develop specialized victim and offender support networks, and assess shelter availability. It must make policy recommendations to the legislature by January 1, 2028, and annually thereafter. The bill directly affects domestic violence victims and the state's legal system by creating a structured process to identify improvements in responses to domestic violence.

SB 466 prevents landlords and consumer reporting agencies from denying housing or taking negative actions against tenants based on eviction or rental arrears records older than three years. It requires consumer reporting agencies to allow tenants to explain any such records they hold. The bill also mandates that court records of eviction actions be sealed for certain periods. Violations by landlords or agencies would be considered unfair under Kansas consumer protection law.

SB 444 allows cities and counties in Kansas to conduct interior inspections of residential properties without the occupant's consent when an administrative warrant is obtained or there is clear evidence of an immediate health/safety danger. It specifically enables local governments to abate interior code violations (such as unsafe building conditions) or delegate this authority to counties, directly affecting residents in properties with such violations. The bill replaces prior requirements that always needed occupant consent for interior inspections, while maintaining due process like notice and opportunities for hearings. It does not affect commercial properties or routine inspections but focuses on health/safety emergencies and code enforcement.

SB 485 requires landlords to count all lawful income (including government assistance, gifts, or pensions) when screening tenants, not just wages. It automatically seals eviction court records after filing and expunges them from public records after two years if the judgment is paid, with exceptions for ongoing cases or safety concerns. The bill also mandates mediation in eviction cases unless a court determines it wouldn’t help, and violations are treated as deceptive practices under Kansas consumer law. These changes directly affect tenants applying for housing and landlords managing rental agreements under Kansas’ Residential Landlord Tenant Act.

This bill restores eligibility for renters to claim property tax refunds under Kansas' homestead program. Previously excluded, renters meeting income, age, or disability criteria can now qualify for the same tax refunds previously available only to homeowners. The key change modifies the definition of "homestead" to explicitly include rented properties starting in tax year 2026, aligning with the program's existing eligibility categories for qualifying individuals. It directly affects low-income renters in Kansas who meet the income and household requirements outlined in the law.

SB 490 allows Kansas municipalities to impose a 1% privilege tax on the sale of alcoholic beverages, food, and tobacco within designated community improvement districts. This tax, collected by sellers from consumers and remitted to the municipality, funds specific community projects like infrastructure improvements. The tax rate can be set in 0.10% or 0.25% increments, expires after 22 years or when project bonds are paid, and revenue is distributed to qualifying municipalities. It applies only to businesses operating in these designated districts and does not affect existing sales taxes.

This Kansas House resolution urges the U.S. Congress to fulfill its original promise to fund 40% of the average per-student costs for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The bill directly affects state and local school districts, which currently must cover the remaining costs because the federal government has never paid its promised share. By requesting this federal funding, the resolution aims to relieve the financial burden on states and localities, which often leads to cuts in other educational programs or tax increases. The text does not create new laws but serves as a formal request to the federal government to meet its existing funding commitment.