Kansas Bills

HB 2720 establishes a clear priority order for who can make healthcare decisions for Kansas residents who lack the capacity to decide for themselves. It directly affects patients without decision-making capacity, healthcare providers, and families needing to navigate medical choices during emergencies. The bill defines key terms (like "surrogate" and "capacity") and sets the hierarchy: guardians (appointed by court) come first, followed by healthcare agents (like proxies), then patients' designated surrogates (chosen in writing), and finally providers identifying surrogates from family/friends based on a specific order (spouse, adult children, parents, etc.). It also provides guidelines for healthcare providers on implementing this process while respecting patient preferences and legal standards.

HB 2706 bans federal law enforcement officers (like ICE or Customs agents) from conducting enforcement actions - including arrests, searches, or immigration-related interviews - in hospitals, schools, or places of worship within Kansas. It also requires all law enforcement officers (state and federal) to wear visible identification (like a name tag) and prohibits facial coverings that hide their face during public interactions, with exceptions for undercover work, protective gear, medical masks, or safety equipment. The bill directly affects federal officers operating in Kansas and all local law enforcement officers interacting with the public. It aims to increase transparency during police encounters and restrict federal immigration enforcement in sensitive community spaces.

HB 2725 adds district court judges to Kansas' existing state employee drug screening program. It requires the director of personnel services to include judges of the district court in the program when they take office, expanding the current list of covered positions. The bill amends K.S.A. 75-4362 to explicitly list "judge of the district court" as a position subject to drug screening under the program. This is a direct policy change that extends the screening requirement to this specific group of state employees.

HB 2693 regulates how swine waste is applied to agricultural land in Kansas. It prohibits certain application methods (like high-pressure nozzles) and requires low-pressure nozzles under three feet, contour buffer strips on slopes ≥3%, and specific setbacks from homes, roads, parks, and wildlife refuges. The bill mandates that swine facilities with 1,000+ animal units submit detailed nutrient utilization plans - including soil tests, crop rotations, and application rates - to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for approval. These plans must be updated as needed and include measures to prevent odor or nuisance conditions for nearby residents. The law directly affects large swine operations and aims to manage waste application to protect land, water, and community health.

HB 2709 requires home inspectors in Kansas to obtain a license and carry liability insurance in the same way as general contractors. It applies to individuals conducting non-invasive visual inspections of single-family homes (up to four units), excluding specialized checks like pest inspections or air quality tests. The bill mandates that cities and counties use existing contractor licensing exams (with a 75% passing score) and fees, and that home inspectors must hold the same liability insurance as contractors. This directly affects current home inspectors who must now comply with these standards to legally practice.

HB 2730 requires Kansas managed care organizations providing KanCare (Medicaid) and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) services to send enrollees a clear, written or digital explanation of benefits after healthcare visits starting January 1, 2028. This explanation must include the enrollee's name and ID, provider details, billed amount, allowed amount, and what the program paid. The bill directly affects KanCare and CHIP enrollees by making it easier for them to understand healthcare costs and coverage. It does not change current billing practices for providers but adds a new transparency requirement for enrollees. The law takes effect in 2028, with rules to be adopted by the health department before that date.

HB 2723 requires Kansas courts to implement a free court date reminder program for individuals with scheduled court dates in criminal cases or traffic infractions. The program, to be developed by the Supreme Court by June 2027, will automatically send multiple reminders via text, email, phone call, or mail at least 14 days, 7 days, and 1 day before the court date, plus a follow-up if a date is missed. Courts must collect contact information during summons, booking, or court intake processes (without penalizing refusal to provide it), and individuals can opt out of text reminders while updating contact details through a public website. The law ensures no cost to users and mandates consistent notification timing to reduce missed appearances.

HB 2759 requires individuals acting as agents for foreign governments or political organizations from specific "countries of concern" (China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela) and Kansas-based political groups receiving foreign funding to register with the state ethics commission. It mandates detailed disclosures about funding sources, political activities, ownership structures, and expenditures - requiring quarterly updates. The law directly affects Kansas residents or entities engaging in lobbying, election advocacy, or political activities on behalf of these foreign principals. Key provisions include reporting all foreign payments, describing foreign principal control structures, and disclosing political spending within the past 60-120 days. The bill aims to increase transparency around foreign influence in Kansas politics, excluding Taiwan (Republic of China) from the designated countries.

SB 511 requires the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks secretary to submit any reorganization plan (including restructuring, consolidating, or reclassifying departments or staff) to the Senate and House committees on agriculture and natural resources before implementation. Legislative approval via a concurrent resolution is mandatory for any reorganization to take effect. This bill applies directly to the department's leadership and processes, adding a review step for structural changes. The requirement expires on July 1, 2027, and does not alter the department’s operational authority under existing law.

HB 2675 creates a 13-member Kansas-Italy Trade Commission to strengthen economic ties between Kansas and Italy. The commission includes legislative leaders, business representatives (from Kansas industries, trade groups, or Italian-American communities), and the Commerce Secretary, with members appointed by state officials. It will promote trade, investment, business exchanges, and joint economic initiatives through annual reports to the governor and legislature, and by accepting private donations into a dedicated fund. The commission must hold public quarterly meetings and focus on concrete opportunities for mutual economic growth between Kansas businesses and Italian partners.

SB 508 increases the annual funding limit for transfers from Kansas' lottery operating fund to two specific disability services programs. It raises the cap from $8 million to $16 million per year (starting in fiscal year 2027) for the community crisis stabilization centers fund and the clubhouse model program fund under the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. For fiscal year 2026, the bill mandates specific monthly transfers of $625,000 and $208,333 to these funds, respectively. This directly affects crisis support services and community-based programs for individuals with disabilities in Kansas. The bill amends existing lottery fund transfer rules to prioritize these disability services with increased annual funding.

SB 499 creates three new consumer protection laws in Kansas. It requires businesses with online services used by minors to assess and reduce risks of compulsive use (like addictive features), set privacy settings to the highest default for minors, and let consumers control their data. The bill also creates legal rights for people harmed by unauthorized digital replicas of their likeness and mandates transparency in chatbot interactions to prevent deceptive practices. These rules apply to businesses generating most revenue from online services likely accessed by minors, with enforcement by the attorney general.