Rep. Kevin Schwertfeger

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific segment of K-5 highway in Wyandotte County (from the junction of K-5 and N. 18th Street west to N. 38th Street) as the "Representative Marvin S. Robinson II Memorial Highway." It also redesignates a portion of Interstate 635 (from the Kansas-Missouri border south to its junction with K-5 highway) as the "Harry Darby Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Kansas Secretary of Transportation to install highway signs marking both routes, following standard procedures. This is a procedural memorial designation with no substantive policy changes to transportation law.

Maddy summaryHB 2009 prohibits most abortion procedures in Kansas, allowing them only when necessary to preserve the life of a pregnant woman in a medical emergency. The bill bans the distribution or provision of abortion drugs like mifepristone and creates a private civil enforcement mechanism: anyone can sue providers, pharmacies, or insurers who violate the ban and seek $10,000 in statutory damages per violation plus attorney fees. It directly affects medical professionals performing abortions, pharmacies dispensing abortion drugs, and entities covering abortion costs through insurance. The bill explicitly excludes the pregnant woman from liability and does not prohibit medical treatments for miscarriage using misoprostol.

Maddy summaryHB 2171, titled "The Abolish Abortion Kansas Act," would criminalize all abortions in Kansas by making them subject to prosecution under Alexa's Law (K.S.A. 21-5419). It removes existing exceptions allowing abortions for medical reasons or in cases where a pregnant person's life is at risk, defining "unborn child" as a living human organism from fertilization to birth. The bill amends criminal and civil statutes to treat abortion-related deaths as wrongful death under the same legal framework as deaths of born individuals, with no medical exceptions for the mother’s health. It applies prospectively from July 1, 2025, and does not affect actions taken before that date. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, patients seeking abortions, and legal proceedings involving abortion-related deaths in Kansas.

Maddy summaryHB 2010 prohibits nearly all abortion procedures in Kansas, making it a severity level 1 felony for healthcare providers to perform an abortion regardless of gestational age. It also creates a separate felony for "unlawful destruction of a fertilized embryo" during fertility treatments like artificial insemination. The law exempts procedures performed to save the life or preserve the health of an unborn child, or to remove a dead fetus following miscarriage, stillbirth, or ectopic pregnancy. This bill directly affects abortion providers, clinics, and patients seeking abortion care, replacing existing abortion laws with strict criminal penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Kansas to explicitly define the right to bear arms as a natural and fundamental right that includes owning ammunition, firearm accessories, and components. It requires that any government restrictions on this right must pass the strict scrutiny legal standard, which is the highest level of judicial review. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters, the change would strengthen existing gun protections by clarifying the scope of items covered and the level of protection they receive.

Maddy summaryHB 2187 requires government agencies and public utilities to make a good faith compensation offer to property owners at least 30 days before filing an eminent domain lawsuit. It prohibits using eminent domain for recreational trails or park facilities and deletes the legislature's power to condemn property for economic development. If the good faith offer exceeds an appraiser's award, the property owner can appeal to retain the higher amount, but the agency cannot appeal to reduce it. These changes aim to strengthen property owner protections by mandating upfront compensation and narrowing eminent domain use.

Maddy summaryHB 2133 exempts one motor vehicle from property tax for Kansas firefighters who hold a valid firefighter license plate (as defined under K.S.A. 8-1,155). The exemption applies to the vehicle owned by a firefighter who possesses this license plate at the time of registration application. Firefighters who have already paid property tax on such a vehicle can apply for a refund within one year of the bill's effective date (January 1, 2026). This amendment to Kansas property tax law (K.S.A. 79-5107) specifically targets firefighters with approved license plates, providing direct tax relief for their personal vehicle.

Maddy summaryHB 2283 requires that at least one member of the Kansas State Fair Board appointed from the general public must be a resident of Reno County. This change modifies the existing law (K.S.A. 74-520a) by adding a specific residency requirement for one of the seven public appointees, who will represent the state at large. The bill does not alter the total number of board members or other appointment procedures, only ensuring Reno County has dedicated representation on the board. This provision directly affects the governor's appointment process for the board's public members.

Maddy summaryHB 2296 requires most health insurance plans in Kansas to cover diagnostic and supplemental breast cancer exams without out-of-pocket costs for insured individuals. This means patients won’t pay deductibles, co-pays, or coinsurance for these exams when medically necessary to evaluate abnormalities (diagnostic) or screen high-risk individuals (supplemental), as defined by national cancer guidelines. The bill applies to plans issued or renewed before January 1, 2026, and exempts health savings account plans until after meeting the deductible for non-preventive care. It specifically covers exams like mammograms, MRIs, and ultrasounds used in these scenarios.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the standard 60-day waiting period for Kansas public school retirees (KPERS members) who return to work as licensed teachers. It specifically exempts retirees hired by school districts for covered teaching positions requiring a license or certificate from the waiting rule. The change applies to all school districts participating in the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System and allows immediate reemployment without the prior waiting period requirement.