Kansas Bills

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2607: Designating the official Kansas railroad hall of fame and establishing the Kansas railroad hall of fame selection committee.

HB 2607 designates the Great Plains Transportation Museum in Wichita as the official site for the Kansas Railroad Hall of Fame, recognizing individuals who contributed to Kansas' railroad history. It establishes a selection committee composed of museum and historical society directors, two governor-appointed museum board members, and two industry representatives who must serve without pay. The committee annually selects two inductees meeting specific criteria: having worked in Kansas' railroad industry (operating, manufacturing, or preservation), made significant contributions to rail service or heritage, and brought distinction to the state. The bill defines the committee's responsibilities, including public nomination procedures requiring detailed 1,000-word statements.

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2503: Repealing the mail ballot election act.

HB 2503's title claims to repeal Kansas' mail ballot election act, but the bill text actually modifies statutes related to county extension councils (agricultural and educational programs), not election procedures. The bill rewrites sections about how county extension councils are elected, their membership requirements (e.g., representatives for agriculture, home economics, 4-H), and budget processes. It specifically removes provisions allowing mail ballots for these council elections (which were never about voter mail ballots for public elections) and replaces them with in-person election requirements. This bill directly affects county extension councils and their election processes across Kansas, not voters or general election systems. The title appears inconsistent with the actual content of the bill text.

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 330: Enacting the ensuring transparency in prior authorization act to impose requirements and limitations on the use of prior authorization in healthcare.

SB 330 requires insurance companies to use secure electronic systems for prior authorization requests (replacing fax or separate portals) by 2027, with strict response time limits: 2 hours for emergencies, 24 hours for urgent care, and 14 days for routine services. It prohibits prior authorization for childbirth, neonatal care, and emergency services, and mandates that authorizations for chronic conditions remain valid for the entire treatment period. The bill directly affects insurance companies (as "utilization review entities"), healthcare providers submitting requests, and patients seeking timely care. It aims to reduce delays and administrative burdens in healthcare access through standardized electronic processes and clearer timelines.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 428: Requiring the secretary for children and families and the secretary of health and environment to execute a memorandum of understanding, data use agreement or other written data-sharing instrument upon written request of the United States department of agriculture or the United States department of health and human services and comply with data requests from such federal agencies.

SB 428 requires Kansas' Secretary for Children and Families and Secretary of Health and Environment to create formal data-sharing agreements with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) upon written request. These agreements would enable the state to share relevant data with federal agencies to support programs like food assistance (USDA) and healthcare (HHS). The bill mandates that state secretaries comply with written data requests from federal agencies within 30 days after such agreements are in place. This bill directly affects Kansas state agencies that administer public assistance programs and federal agencies managing national benefit programs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 413: Prohibiting counsel from suggesting an amount of damages for noneconomic loss in civil actions.

SB 413 prohibits attorneys in Kansas civil trials from suggesting specific dollar amounts, ranges, formulas, or unrelated references to the jury when seeking compensation for noneconomic losses like pain, suffering, or emotional distress. The bill directly affects attorneys, parties, and juries in civil cases where non-monetary damages are at issue. It bans four specific methods of suggesting damages - specific numbers, ranges, mathematical formulas, or irrelevant comparisons - to prevent undue influence on jury awards. The law applies to all civil actions and amends Kansas' civil procedure code.

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2457: Restricting residential homestead property taxes to not more than the established base of property taxes owed for individuals 65 years of age and older and eliminating the property tax exemption for certain commercial properties used for healthcare when in competition with other non-exempt properties.

HB 2457, pending in Kansas, has two main provisions. First, it caps property taxes for homeowners aged 65+ who occupy their primary residence (homestead property) at the tax amount from their "base year" (the year they turned 65 or 2026 for those already older), requiring annual application by April 1. Second, it eliminates property tax exemptions for certain 501(c)(3) healthcare facilities (like clinics or hospitals) that compete with non-exempt providers in the same or adjacent county. The bill would apply to tax years starting after December 31, 2026, if passed. It modifies Kansas tax code sections related to homestead exemptions and healthcare property tax eligibility.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Healthcare

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2580: Establishing the Kansas international trade commission to further international trade between Kansas and other countries, in particular Ireland, Japan and Taiwan, and creating the Kansas international trade commission fund.

HB 2580 establishes a 16-member Kansas International Trade Commission to advance business and economic ties between Kansas and specific countries, primarily Ireland, Japan, and Taiwan. The commission, composed of legislative leaders, business representatives, and community advocates with international trade experience, will coordinate trade promotion, policy collaboration, and business/academic exchanges. It requires the state commerce secretary to provide quarterly reports on Kansas trade activity with target countries and mandates the commission to submit annual findings to the governor. The bill creates a dedicated fund to cover commission expenses, including travel for non-state members using non-public funds.

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2480: Creating an exception to certain mandatory reporting obligations for licensed social workers when working under the supervision of an attorney and permitting an attorney to require a licensed social worker to keep ethical obligations of attorney-client privilege while working under the supervision of such attorney.

HB 2480 creates an exception to mandatory child abuse reporting for licensed social workers when they are working under an attorney's supervision in specific legal matters. It exempts these social workers from reporting suspected child abuse or neglect if the suspicion arises solely during legal representation (in criminal, civil, domestic, or juvenile cases) or while seeking such representation. The bill also allows attorneys to require social workers to maintain attorney-client privilege during these legal proceedings. This change directly affects licensed social workers employed by or working under attorneys in relevant cases, modifying Kansas law to align reporting obligations with legal privilege during representation. The bill amends several Kansas statutes related to mandatory reporting and attorney-client confidentiality.

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2588: Providing for statewide electrician licensing by the state fire marshal.

HB 2588 establishes a statewide electrician licensing system administered by Kansas' Board of Technical Professions, replacing local city or county licenses with a single standardized process. It requires all electricians (including contractors, master, journeyman, and residential) to pass standardized exams from approved organizations (like ICC or Prometric), achieve a minimum 75% score, and complete 12 hours of continuing education every two years (including 6 hours on building codes). Licenses issued under this bill will be valid statewide, eliminating the need for separate local licenses and repealing prior local licensing requirements. The bill sets uniform standards for exams, experience verification, and continuing education while ensuring statewide validity for all licensed electricians.

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 414: Authorizing the secretary of corrections to enter into a memorandum of understanding to provide money from the evidence-based programs account to residential facilities with behavioral health crisis intervention services for juveniles.

SB 414 authorizes the Kansas Secretary of Corrections to use up to $2 million annually from the state's evidence-based programs account to fund licensed residential facilities providing behavioral health crisis intervention services for juveniles. It directly affects facilities licensed by Kansas' Department for Children and Families or Department for Aging and Disability Services that offer crisis intervention programs. The bill establishes a process for the Secretary to enter memorandums of understanding with these facilities, ensuring funding supports short-term crisis care without restricting facility design or requiring jail placements. This policy change specifically redirects existing state funds to expand access to crisis services for juveniles experiencing behavioral health issues.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2605: Designating a portion of U.S. highway 36 as the undersheriff Brandon Gaede memorial highway.

HB 2605 designates a 3-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 36 in Phillips County (from eastern to western city limits of Phillipsburg) as the "Deputy Sheriff Brandon Gaede Memorial Highway." The bill honors Deputy Brandon Gaede, a Phillips County sheriff's deputy who died in the line of duty in 2025 while responding to an explosive incident. It requires the Kansas Department of Transportation to install standard memorial signs along the designated highway segment per state law. This is a commemorative measure with no policy changes or direct impact on residents or regulations.

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2598: Enacting the Kansas paid family leave act.

HB 2598, the Kansas Paid Family Leave Act, creates a state-run program providing up to 12 weeks of paid leave for eligible workers in Kansas to bond with a new child (birth, adoption, or foster placement), care for a family member with a serious health condition, recover from their own serious health condition, or address military family needs. It covers most full- and part-time employees who worked 26 weeks (20+ hours/week) or 175 days (less than 20 hours/week) in the prior year, plus self-employed individuals who opt into the program. Benefits will equal 67% of an employee's average weekly wage (capped at $1,000/week starting in 2028), funded through payroll deductions of employee premiums beginning January 2027. The program launches for eligible workers on July 1, 2027, with benefits paid from the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Fund.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results