SB 90 creates a property tax exemption for the first $100,000 of value on owner-occupied homes in Kansas, affecting homeowners with homes valued under $350,000 (adjusted annually for inflation starting in 2027). Local governments can propose ballot questions to voters to opt out of this exemption for their area - requiring a two-thirds vote for full exemption removal or a majority vote for a 50% reduction. The exemption does not apply to taxes from existing bonds or certain specific levies. This policy directly impacts eligible homeowners and gives local communities annual voting power over local tax rates.
HB 2361 abolishes Kansas's existing nursing scholarship program and replaces it with the "Kansas healthcare service scholarship program." The new program expands eligibility to include part-time students and adds allied health and health science programs to the list of qualifying educational paths, beyond the previous nursing-only focus. It transfers funds from the state general fund to support these expanded scholarship opportunities and amends multiple statutes to reflect the program's updated scope and structure. This change directly affects students pursuing healthcare education at eligible Kansas institutions, including community colleges, universities, and accredited programs.
HB 2391 prohibits carrying concealed handguns within the Kansas state capitol complex, including all buildings and grounds of the capitol. It directly affects all individuals entering the capitol, with exceptions for law enforcement officers, active-duty military personnel, and others specifically authorized under the law. The bill amends existing statutes to clarify that concealed carry is illegal in the capitol without requiring proof of intent, while maintaining existing exceptions for authorized personnel. It repeals prior provisions about firearm access in the capitol and specifies that "capitol complex" includes all state-owned buildings and grounds designated for the capitol.
HB 2143 requires Kansas's Secretary of State to partner with credit rating agencies to obtain personal data (including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and non-citizen IDs) for verifying the U.S. citizenship of registered voters. This directly affects voters whose citizenship status is checked, with county election officers mandated to remove non-citizens from voter rolls and notify them they can re-register by providing citizenship proof. The bill establishes a mechanism where credit agencies' existing data is used to confirm citizenship, replacing current verification methods. It applies to all Kansas voter registrations and takes effect upon publication in the state statute book.
SB 196 requires all Kansas business entities (including for-profit and non-profit organizations) and public employers (state agencies) to use the federal e-verify program to confirm work authorization for new employees hired on or after July 1, 2025. It prohibits employers from deducting wages paid to non-citizens without federal work authorization from income tax calculations. The bill defines "unauthorized aliens" per federal law (8 U.S.C. § 1324a(h)(3)) and makes it unlawful to knowingly hire or refer such individuals. Enforcement is handled by county attorneys or the state attorney general through civil actions.
SB 182 requires dental insurance carriers in Kansas to spend at least 85% of premium dollars on actual patient dental care (not administrative costs) starting July 1, 2026. It mandates annual reports detailing this "dental loss ratio" (DLR) for the commissioner to review, with public disclosure of aggregated data by January 1 each year. Carriers falling below 85% must rebate excess premiums to policyholders by July 1 of the following year, with the commissioner authorized to enforce compliance. This directly affects dental insurers, dental service organizations, and plans offering standalone dental coverage (excluding Medicaid/CHIP).
HB 2141 requires Kansas school districts to adopt policies allowing parents to object to educational materials or activities not in the approved curriculum or that conflict with their sincerely held beliefs, values, or principles. Parents may withdraw their child from a class or activity without academic penalty, and schools must provide alternative assignments or accommodations. The bill specifies that exemptions do not excuse students from completing required coursework or graduation credits. It applies to all public school districts in Kansas and defines "educational materials" broadly to include textbooks, digital content, and videos, while excluding student presentations.
SB 174 makes all abortions in Kansas subject to criminal prosecution under existing "Alexa's law" (which treats fetal homicide as murder), removing all prior exceptions that allowed abortions to be performed without criminal penalties. It also eliminates civil lawsuits for wrongful death when an abortion causes the death of an unborn child, previously permitted under certain circumstances. The bill directly affects abortion providers, patients seeking abortions, and medical professionals who may face criminal charges or civil liability. Key mechanisms include amending Kansas statutes (21-5206 and 21-5419) to define "unborn child" broadly as a living human organism from fertilization to birth and repealing prior exceptions allowing abortion-related civil claims.
HB 2375, the Healthcare Access for Working Kansans (HAWK) Act, expands Medicaid eligibility to working adults under 65 with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level, effective January 1, 2026. It requires applicants to provide employment verification (e.g., pay stubs or W-2 forms) unless exempt - such as students, parents, individuals with disabilities, or those experiencing homelessness. The bill mandates Kansas to seek federal approval for this expansion and establishes a managed care system for administering benefits. Coverage would terminate if federal funding drops below 90%, and the law is contingent on federal approval.
HB 2363 requires local governments to involve planning commissions before approving conservation easements. Landowners proposing easements must have their plans reviewed by the city or county planning commission (within 60 days) for consistency with local land-use plans, before the governing body (county commissioners or city council) makes a final approval or denial decision. The bill specifies that approvals can be denied only if an easement conflicts with the local comprehensive plan, conservation programs, or known government land-use proposals. This applies directly to landowners seeking conservation easements and local planning commissions and governing bodies in Kansas.
SB 158 removes a ban preventing individuals with felony drug convictions from receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Kansas. The bill amends Kansas Statute 39-709 to eliminate the disqualification based on such convictions, allowing eligible Kansans to access food assistance if they meet other standard requirements like income limits. This change directly affects people with prior felony drug convictions who previously could not qualify for SNAP benefits despite meeting other eligibility criteria. The key mechanism is a straightforward update to the state's eligibility statute, aligning Kansas law with federal SNAP rules that permit such access.
HB 2100 allows pharmacists in Kansas to initiate HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medication for patients who believe they've been exposed to HIV, directly affecting pharmacists and those at risk of HIV exposure. The bill requires the state board of pharmacy to create a statewide protocol mandating proper patient education on PEP use, safe administration, and follow-up care with a doctor, alongside accurate recordkeeping. Pharmacists acting in good faith under this protocol are protected from civil lawsuits, criminal charges, or professional discipline related to initiating PEP. The protocol must be established by January 1, 2026, to ensure timely access to HIV prevention medication outside of traditional medical settings.
