Federal and State Affairs

HB 2407 amends Kansas' anti-discrimination law to add sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and veteran status as protected characteristics in employment, public accommodations, and housing. It directly affects employers, housing providers, and businesses covered by the Kansas Act Against Discrimination by requiring them to prevent discrimination based on these new categories. The bill updates key sections of the law (like K.S.A. 44-1001) to explicitly include these protected classes alongside existing ones like race and religion. This creates concrete legal protections for individuals facing discrimination due to these specific identities or status.

SB 304, the "Born to Invest Act," requires Kansas' Office of Vital Statistics to share specific birth records (child's name, parent/guardian address, birth date) for children born on or after January 1, 2025, with the State Treasurer. This data enables the Treasurer to send informational materials about three federal savings programs: 529 college savings plans, ABLE accounts for disabilities, and "Trump accounts" (a reference to a specific federal savings program). The bill mandates that data be transmitted securely to the Treasurer within 90 days of a birth certificate issuance (or by September 1, 2026, for children born before July 1, 2026) and directs the Treasurer to distribute materials via mail and online resources. The policy aims to proactively inform families about available savings options for children, without creating new accounts or changing eligibility.

HB 2066 requires Kansas business entities and public employers to register with and use the federal e-Verify program to confirm the work authorization of all new employees starting July 1, 2025. The bill also prohibits employers from claiming income tax deductions for wages paid to individuals without legal authorization to work in the United States. It makes it unlawful for employers to knowingly hire, recruit, or refer unauthorized workers, with enforcement handled by county attorneys or the state attorney general. This law directly affects all businesses and public employers in Kansas that hire new staff, including those operating without a business license.

HB 2127 amends Kansas law to explicitly permit cities and counties to regulate the sale and purchase of firearms and ammunition within buildings they own (such as city hall or county offices). This change directly affects local governments by allowing them to implement rules for firearm transactions in their own facilities, while leaving broader state prohibitions on local firearm regulations intact. The bill adds a specific exception to existing law (K.S.A. 12-16,124), overriding prior restrictions that barred such local rules. It does not authorize general city or county regulations on firearm commerce outside of their owned properties.

HB 2147 requires Kansas' Department of Wildlife and Parks to offer discounted resident senior hunting and fishing passes (at 1/8 the cost of a general lifetime pass) to Kansas residents aged 65 or older. It also permanently removes expiration dates for "Kansas Kids" lifetime combination hunting and fishing licenses, which previously expired in 2032. Both the senior pass fee and the kids' license fee must not exceed amounts meeting federal requirements for paid hunting or fishing licenses under 16 U.S.C. §§ 669 and 777. The bill directly affects senior residents and children who qualify for these licenses.