HB 2565 requires employees at the Kansas State School for the Blind and Kansas State School for the Deaf (including teachers and licensed personnel like counselors and nurses) to be paid the same rate as teachers in Olathe Unified School District 233 (USD 233) with comparable education and experience. The bill mandates that pay be set based on USD 233's current school-year salary rates for similar roles, using September 1 rates from the prior year as the benchmark. If no comparable USD 233 teacher exists, it uses the standard rate for that position. This replaces the current pay rules for these state schools with a new standard tied to a specific public school district's compensation.
SB 373 limits law enforcement agreements with public utilities for attaching equipment (like cameras) to utility poles or structures to a maximum of 30 days, unless authorized by a warrant, court order, or in designated commercial zones or parks. After 30 days, the equipment must be removed, and any evidence collected beyond that period cannot be used in court. The bill directly affects public utilities (such as electric companies) and law enforcement agencies, requiring them to comply with the time limit and providing utilities immunity from liability for following the rules. It amends Kansas law to establish this 30-day rule and evidence restriction, replacing the previous standard.
SB 378 would provide a one-time $250 property tax credit against vehicle registration fees for eligible vehicles during Kansas' fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). It directly affects owners of buses, motorcycles, passenger vehicles, RVs, trailers, and trucks that pay property tax on these vehicles under Kansas law. The credit applies when registering or renewing a vehicle but is nonrefundable if it exceeds the tax owed. Funds for the credit would come from the state’s budget stabilization fund, administered by the Department of Revenue.
HB 2547 requires hunters to purchase an upland game bird stamp (with exemptions for those not needing a hunting license, hunters on private land, and lifetime license holders) to take birds like pheasants or quail in Kansas. It establishes an "upland game bird restoration fund" funded by stamp fees, mandating that all money from the fund be used solely for procuring and releasing upland game birds in the state. The bill also creates a new 10-day youth hunting season for those under 17, requiring adult supervision, and sets maximum stamp fees at $15 for residents and $25 for non-residents. These provisions aim to restore bird populations, support youth hunting opportunities, and increase tourism revenue through targeted wildlife management.
HB 2566, the "Every Body Can Move Act," mandates that all health insurance policies sold in Kansas must cover prosthetic and orthotic devices at the same level required by federal law (42 U.S.C. § 1395k et seq.). It directly affects insured individuals needing these devices and insurers offering health coverage in Kansas, requiring coverage for devices that meet medical needs for daily activities, physical functions (like running or swimming), and bathing. Key provisions include covering all necessary materials, user instruction, and replacements under specific conditions (e.g., physiological changes or repair costs exceeding 60% of replacement), while prohibiting denial of coverage based on disability. The law takes effect January 11, 2027, and ensures access to at least two in-network providers for these devices.
HB 2505 amends Kansas' open records law to exempt location data for threatened, endangered, or conservation-needed species from public disclosure. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks would no longer be required to release such location information upon public request. This exemption would be added to the existing protections under K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 45-221, specifically covering records related to species conservation. The bill directly affects public access to sensitive wildlife location data while aiming to protect conservation efforts.
SB 360 regulates pharmacy audits conducted by pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and auditing entities in Kansas. It requires 14 days' written notice before audits, mandates confidential handling of audit data, and sets strict timelines for delivering preliminary (within 60 days) and final reports (within 90 days) to pharmacies. The bill prohibits charging back funds during appeal periods, limits penalties to actual financial harm (not clerical errors), and requires pharmacist consultation for clinical audits. Pharmacies filling over 600 prescriptions weekly must consent to audits during the first five days of a month. This directly affects Kansas pharmacies, PBMs, and auditing firms by standardizing audit procedures and protecting pharmacies from unfair financial adjustments.
SB 402 modifies Kansas homestead property tax refund and SAFESR tax credit rules to better support seniors and homeowners. It establishes a fixed household income threshold ($25,380 for 2026+) for SAFESR eligibility instead of using federal poverty levels, prevents loss of eligibility if a homestead's appraised value later exceeds $350,000 after qualifying, and adds an exception for claimants forced to live away from their homestead due to health or hardship. The bill also standardizes the refund claim process by requiring a single form for all homestead tax refund claims. This directly affects Kansas residents aged 65+ who own and occupy their primary residence and qualify for these tax benefits.
HB 2564 allows dentists to choose payment methods like direct deposit instead of being forced to accept credit card payments only from dental benefit plans. It requires dental plans to clearly explain any fees for payment methods and get dentists' explicit agreement before changing payment systems. Once a dentist selects a payment method, it remains effective for the entire contract period unless they choose a different method or a new contract is signed. This directly affects dentists contracted with dental benefit plans in Kansas by giving them more control over how they receive payments.
HB 2489 requires Kansas public school districts to implement fentanyl abuse education programs for students in grades 9-12, using age-appropriate guidance developed by the state board of education. It also mandates that all schools maintain a stock supply of naloxone (an opioid overdose reversal medication) in accessible storage, with trained staff authorized to administer it during emergencies. School districts may use funds from the Kansas Fights Addiction Fund - partially sourced from opioid litigation settlements - to purchase naloxone supplies. The bill establishes specific protocols for naloxone storage, inventory tracking, and administration by designated school personnel. This law directly affects all Kansas public schools and their students, aiming to address opioid misuse through prevention education and emergency response readiness.
This bill allows Kansas counties to adopt local resolutions regulating activities like camping, waste disposal, and vehicle use on navigable rivers, specifically to protect public health, safety, and welfare. It also expands the criminal trespass law to include navigable rivers, making unauthorized activities on them subject to trespass penalties. The policy directly affects county governments (which gain new regulatory authority) and river users (who must comply with local rules). The changes amend Kansas law to explicitly grant counties this power, without altering state-level river management.
HB 2549 requires all health insurance plans in Kansas (including individual, group, and state employee plans) to cover diagnosis and treatment for pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS). This mandate applies to policies issued, renewed, or amended on or after January 1, 2027, directly affecting children diagnosed with these conditions and their families. The bill defines PANS as sudden-onset neuropsychiatric symptoms in children and PANDAS as a strep-triggered variant of the condition. It also requires the state employees' health plan to cover these conditions starting in 2027 and report on coverage impact by 2027.
