Kansas Bills

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 1612: Proposing to amend the constitution of the state of Kansas by allowing the legislature to contract public debt and pledges to the payment thereof the full faith, credit and taxing power of the state and giving the legislature authority over all matters concerning the contracting of public debt.

This bill proposes to amend the Kansas Constitution to allow the state legislature to borrow money by pledging the state's full faith, credit, and taxing power. Currently, the state is restricted in its ability to issue certain types of debt, such as general obligation bonds, which are often used to secure lower interest rates. If passed, the legislature would gain the authority to decide when and how to incur this debt, provided they determine it is cost-effective and efficient for the state. The change would also give the legislature control over all rules regarding the issuance of public debt, including the types of bonds that can be sold. This amendment would not take effect until the 2026 legislative session.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 1610: Proposing a constitutional amendment to amend section 4 of the Kansas bill of rights to recognize the right to bear arms as a fundamental right that includes the possession and use of ammunition, firearm accessories and firearm components, and that any restrictions on such right are subject to the strict scrutiny standard.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to expand the right to bear arms in Kansas to explicitly include ammunition, firearm accessories, and components. It classifies this right as a natural and fundamental one that cannot be infringed, requiring any future restrictions to meet the strict scrutiny legal standard. If approved by the legislature and voters, the change would strengthen protections for gun ownership while maintaining existing rules against standing armies in peacetime. The amendment would be placed on a special election ballot for Kansas residents to vote on in August 2026.

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 159: Requiring school district budget forms and summaries to include all expenditures of bond proceeds.

SB 159 requires Kansas school districts to explicitly include all expenditures of bond proceeds in their budget forms and summaries. This affects all Kansas public school districts by mandating detailed reporting of how bond-funded projects (like construction) are financed and spent, including actual costs, project timelines, and specific project identification. The bill amends existing law (K.S.A. 72-1167) to require districts to annually publish this bond spending data on their websites alongside budget summaries and historical expenditure reports. It does not change how districts use bond funds but ensures transparency by making all bond-related spending visible in required financial disclosures.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 136: Limiting contributions under the campaign finance act made to political committees for the purpose of independent contributions and requiring the accounting, reporting and auditing of such independent contributions.

SB 136 limits annual contributions to $5,000 per person for political committees that make independent expenditures (ads or activities not coordinated with candidates). It requires these committees to track and report each contributor’s name and total amount, and mandates annual audits by state-approved auditors to verify compliance. The bill directly affects political committees receiving such contributions by imposing stricter transparency rules on their funding sources. These changes amend Kansas campaign finance laws to enhance oversight of independent spending, replacing vague reporting requirements with specific, detailed accounting standards.

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 248: Requiring criminal history record check information relating to hemp producers to be sent to the state fire marshal, updating the fingerprinting language for the state banking commissioner for money transmitters and earned wage access services providers and authorizing the state gaming agency and attorney general to have access to more criminal history record information.

SB 248 requires hemp producers in Kansas to undergo criminal background checks and submit fingerprints as part of their licensing process. The state fire marshal, not the department of agriculture, must receive these background check results to verify eligibility for hemp producer licenses. Individuals convicted of certain felonies within the past 10 years are disqualified from obtaining or renewing these licenses, and applicants must pay all associated fingerprinting and background check fees. This bill updates existing licensing procedures for hemp producers under Kansas law.

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 217: Increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy.

SB 217 increases the property tax exemption for residential homeowners in Kansas. It raises the exempt value from $75,000 to $125,000 of a home's appraised value for the statewide school levy. This means homeowners pay property tax only on the value exceeding $125,000, reducing their tax burden. The change applies to all taxable years starting in 2024 and beyond.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Education

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 5012: Urging Attorney General Kobach to protect Kansas federal employees by ensuring the legal integrity of governmental operations.

This legislative resolution urges Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach to safeguard federal employees working within the state. It highlights concerns that recent federal job cuts have created uncertainty for these workers, who serve in agencies like Veterans Affairs and the Department of Agriculture. The document calls on the Attorney General to uphold the legal integrity of government operations to protect these employees and their families. Ultimately, the resolution is a formal request rather than a law that changes policy or mandates specific actions.

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 130: Amending the Kansas pet animal act to require the Kansas department of agriculture to maintain records of inspections for not less than five years and removing the requirement that the commissioner only apply federal rules and regulations to United States department of agriculture licensed animal distributors and animal breeders.

SB 130 updates Kansas's pet animal regulations by requiring the Kansas Department of Agriculture to keep inspection records for at least five years. It also removes a prior rule that limited the commissioner to applying only federal USDA rules to licensed animal distributors and breeders, allowing state-specific enforcement. These changes directly affect animal shelters, breeders, distributors, and kennels operating under Kansas's pet animal act. The bill modifies licensing requirements, including bond posting for seized animals and notification rules for businesses closing, while increasing certain fees.

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 185: Providing that certain legal violations relating to victims of crime are not grounds for appeal in a criminal case.

SB 185 amends Kansas law to clarify that failures to provide victims of crime with rights or notifications (as outlined in the "Bill of Rights for Victims of Crime Act") cannot be used as grounds to appeal a criminal conviction or sentence. This directly affects criminal defendants who might otherwise attempt to overturn a conviction by arguing that victim rights were not properly honored during proceedings. The bill specifically states that courts cannot reverse or modify a conviction based on such failures, while maintaining the existing victim rights provisions. It updates K.S.A. 74-7333 to remove appealability of these procedural violations.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 1608: Proposing an amendment to section 1 of article 5 of the constitution of the state of Kansas to require individuals to be citizens of the United States, at least 18 years of age and a resident of the voting area in which such person seeks to vote in order to vote in this state.

This bill proposes adding a constitutional amendment to Kansas to explicitly state that only U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old and live in their local voting area are eligible to vote. The key provision clarifies residency requirements by allowing exceptions for people who temporarily move away, such as those voting in presidential elections or relocating within the state during an election cycle. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters, the change would codify these specific voter qualifications into the state constitution.

Topics ✗ Immigration

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2260: Prohibiting the use of an electronic communications device while operating a motor vehicle and providing penalties for violations thereof.

HB 2260 prohibits drivers in Kansas from manually using electronic communication devices (like phones, tablets, or laptops) while operating a motor vehicle on public roads. It bans activities including holding devices, texting, making calls, watching videos, or entering data, with exceptions for hands-free use (for noncommercial vehicles), emergency personnel, and commercial drivers using voice-activated features or permanently mounted navigation systems. The law applies to all drivers except those in specific exemptions, such as law enforcement during emergencies or school bus operators during loading/unloading. Violations carry penalties as specified in the bill, replacing the previous Kansas statute (K.S.A. 8-15,111).

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2057: Requiring the governor to appointment persons to fill vacancies in the offices of United States senator, state treasurer and the commissioner of insurance from a list of names approved by the legislature.

HB 2057 would change how Kansas fills vacancies in three state offices: U.S. Senator, state treasurer, and commissioner of insurance. It requires the governor to appoint a person from a list of three candidates approved by the legislature, with the appointee needing to be a Kansas resident and from the same political party as the previous officeholder for each position. The bill establishes a 14-member joint committee of legislators to review nominations, hold public hearings, and recommend five candidates to the legislature, which then selects three for the governor to appoint. This process replaces the current method of gubernatorial appointment without legislative input.

Bill results