Transportation

SB 325 prohibits covering Kansas vehicle license plates with any clear, opaque, or plastic-like material that affects visibility or reflectivity, or with frames that obstruct the plate. It directly affects all Kansas vehicle owners who currently use such coverings or frames on their license plates. The bill requires plates to be securely fastened, clearly visible from a safe distance, and free from foreign materials that could obscure the registration number, state, or expiration details. This replaces existing Kansas law (K.S.A. 8-133 and 8-15,110) with updated visibility standards for license plate display.

SB 380 requires retail electric suppliers in Kansas to offer fair, reasonable, and equal rates to businesses providing electric vehicle (EV) charging services. It specifically prohibits suppliers from including costs for their own public fast-charging stations (50kW+ DC) in electricity rates charged to customers. The bill applies to suppliers operating public fast-charging stations but exempts stations built before July 1, 2026, or those used solely for the supplier's own vehicles. This ensures EV charging businesses face no artificial cost disadvantages from utility-owned stations. The law takes effect after its publication in the statute book.

HB 2571 requires cities and counties in Kansas to create written cost-sharing agreements for maintaining roads that border two different municipalities. It directly affects local governments responsible for roads shared across jurisdictional boundaries. The bill mandates agreements covering road construction, maintenance, drainage, signage, utilities, and other standard services, and prohibits major improvements without agreement approval. This replaces the previous law to ensure clear responsibility for shared road upkeep.

HB 2004 would authorize Seward County to impose a countywide sales tax on retail purchases, subject to voter approval through an election. The tax revenue would specifically finance roadway and bridge construction, maintenance, and improvements within the county. The bill amends Kansas law (K.S.A. 12-187, 12-189, and 12-192) to add Seward County to the list of counties permitted to use this tax for infrastructure projects. The measure passed committee in March 2025 and is awaiting full legislative consideration.