SB 152 creates a new property tax appeal process for residential and commercial property owners in Kansas with valuations under $1 million who haven't already appealed to the state board of tax appeals. Taxpayers can request an informal hearing before their county commissioners within 30 days of receiving a valuation notice, and the commissioners must issue a decision within 30 days of the hearing. If the county disagrees with the valuation, they must either reduce the property's appraised value by at least 15% or agree to purchase the property for 90% of that appraised value within 30 days of a written offer from the owner. The county must complete any purchase within 90 days if they accept the offer.
This bill restricts habeas corpus appeals by prohibiting second or successive filings and banning claims about ineffective legal representation. It requires inmates sentenced to death to appeal directly to the Kansas Supreme Court instead of lower courts. The law amends existing procedures to limit repeated challenges, particularly affecting death penalty cases by removing intermediate appeals. These changes apply broadly to all habeas cases but create a direct Supreme Court appeal path specifically for capital punishment convictions.
HB 2059 allows Kansas taxpayers to subtract payments made to health care sharing ministries from their state adjusted gross income. This change directly affects Kansas residents who are members of these ministries and pay for medical expenses through them. The bill amends Kansas tax code to add a new subtraction provision (replacing the existing section) for these payments, similar to how other health-related expenses are treated. This provides a tax benefit by reducing taxable income for qualifying individuals in Kansas.
HB 2080 allows Kansas homeowners aged 65 or older who live in their homes as their primary residence to freeze their property tax bill at the "base year" amount. The base year is either the year they turn 65 or 2025 for those already older when the bill takes effect. To qualify, applicants must submit a form to their county treasurer by April 1 each year, and taxes cannot exceed this locked-in amount in future years. This applies only to primary residences (homestead property) and takes effect for taxable years after December 31, 2025.
HB 2154 replaces the existing tax on each rental transaction (an excise tax) with a property tax on rental vehicles themselves, affecting car rental companies that own 250 or more vehicles. These companies must register their vehicles with the state, display a special permanent license plate marked as a rental fleet, and pay an annual registration fee (up to $1 per vehicle) instead of the previous tax. The bill discontinues the excise tax on vehicle rentals and establishes this new property tax system under existing vehicle tax statutes. Peer-to-peer vehicle sharing platforms, like Turo, are explicitly excluded from this tax under the bill's definitions.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to give Kansas citizens the direct power to suggest and pass changes to state laws and the constitution without legislative approval. To start this process, supporters must gather signatures from at least 10% of voters for constitutional amendments or 5% for regular laws, and they must file their petitions with the secretary of state between 360 and 120 days before an election. The amendment includes specific rules requiring each proposal to focus on a single subject, include a clear title explaining its intent and effects, and be submitted separately from other measures if multiple initiatives are on the ballot. Additionally, the text limits the number of citizen-led proposals that can appear on a single ballot to five and restricts spending-related initiatives to only those funded by new revenue sources.
HB 2065 establishes procedures for Kansas to appoint delegates to a potential Article V convention (a meeting to propose U.S. constitutional amendments). It specifies that Kansas delegates and alternates will be appointed by legislative leaders (House/Senate speakers, majority/minority leaders, and caucuses), all of whom must be qualified Kansas legislators. The bill requires delegates to swear an oath supporting both U.S. and Kansas constitutions, designates the House speaker-appointed delegate as chair (with sole voting authority for the delegation), and mandates that all votes require prior approval by a majority of delegates. It also prohibits voting on "unauthorized amendments" outside the convention's stated purpose and outlines recall procedures for delegates.
SB 181 limits annual spending growth from Kansas' state general fund by setting a yearly cap based on inflation (CPI) and population changes. It requires the state treasurer to certify this cap each year by September 1, using the previous year's total expenditures multiplied by the Midwest CPI plus population growth percentage. The bill mandates that all legislative budget measures and the governor's proposed budget for the next fiscal year must not exceed this certified cap. This directly affects the legislature when drafting budget bills, the governor when submitting budget reports, and the state treasurer's certification process under amended K.S.A. 75-3721.
SB 165 requires school districts and community colleges to hold bond issuance and tax levy approval elections only on primary or general election dates, and limits each to one per calendar year. It directly affects school districts and community colleges needing voter approval for bond or tax measures. The key provision prohibits special elections for these purposes outside standard election cycles, replacing prior rules that allowed more frequent votes. This changes how local governments schedule these votes, ensuring they align with existing statewide election calendars.
SB 123 requires the state to reimburse Kansas school districts $0.40 per reduced-price meal served starting in the 2025-2026 school year, replacing a previous 6-cent rate. It directly prohibits local school boards from charging students for these meals, ensuring no out-of-pocket costs for eligible families. The bill also bans using state funds for meals labeled as "identifiable imported meats." This policy change affects all Kansas public schools participating in federally approved reduced-price meal programs and shifts funding responsibility from local fees to state general funds.
HB 2285 updates Kansas law to define lead-based paint as containing lead equal to or exceeding 0.009% by weight (instead of the previous 0.5%), aligning with or being stricter than federal standards. This change directly affects property owners and contractors in residential buildings constructed before 1978, requiring them to test and address paint meeting this threshold. The bill modifies the legal definition in the Residential Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act without adding new requirements or procedures. It takes effect upon publication in the statute book.
SB 263 establishes standards for active shooter drills in Kansas public and accredited nonpublic K-12 schools. It requires drills to be trauma-informed, age-appropriate, and inclusive (including accommodations for students with disabilities), while banning drills that mimic real shootings. Schools must notify parents 24 hours in advance with opt-out options, provide alternative safety education for opted-out students, and conduct annual reviews of drill impacts on student and staff well-being. The bill also mandates annual evidence-based violence prevention training for grades 6-12 and prohibits active shooter simulations during school hours without specific parental consent for grades 9-12.
