Rep. Nikki McDonald

Maddy summaryHB 2415 (Kansas Youth Voice Act) requires every Kansas public school district to appoint at least one student from grades 10-12 as a nonvoting member of their school board. Student representatives may attend open meetings, express opinions, and receive materials but cannot vote, attend closed sessions, or receive pay. School boards must establish application processes and provide orientation, including a board liaison and training on board procedures. This affects all Kansas school districts and students in grades 10-12, with appointments required by August 2026 and subsequent annual terms (max two total terms per student).

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 2074 amends Kansas' Homestead Property Tax Refund Act to allow renters of their primary residence to qualify for the same tax refunds previously available only to homeowners. The bill explicitly includes renters in the eligibility criteria for three groups: individuals aged 55 or older, people with disabilities, and low-income households with dependent children. This change, effective for tax year 2025, updates the definition of "homestead" to cover rented properties and revises related terms in the law to reflect expanded access to the refund program.

Maddy summaryHB 2151 would raise Kansas' state minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 per hour for most hourly workers. The bill amends Kansas law (K.S.A. 44-1203) to establish this new rate and repeals the current minimum wage provisions. It directly affects most employees in Kansas, excluding specific categories like agricultural workers, domestic workers, and certain executive or administrative staff as defined in the law. Employers covered by federal minimum wage law would still follow the federal $7.25 rate, but all other Kansas employers would be required to pay at least $15 per hour.

Maddy summaryHB 2278 increases the property tax exemption for residential property owners in Kansas. Starting in 2026, the exemption rises from $75,000 to $110,000 of a home's appraised value, reducing the taxable amount for eligible homeowners. Beginning in 2027, the exemption amount will adjust annually based on the 10-year average change in statewide residential property values (capped at zero if values decline). This bill directly affects Kansas homeowners with residential properties, lowering their school property tax burden under the statewide school levy.

Maddy summaryHB 2067 establishes a $200,000 grant program funded by the state general fund to provide feminine hygiene products (like tampons and pads) at no cost to students in qualifying Title I schools. The program targets public schools serving grades 5-12 that receive federal Title I funding, with grants distributed based on the number of female students in those grades. School districts must apply to participate, and funds reimburse schools for purchasing products and dispensers, which must be available in women’s restrooms and through school counselors/nurses. The grant fund is replenished annually with $200,000 starting July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2123 increases Kansas' minimum wage for tipped employees from $2.13 to $6.15 per hour. It requires employers to pay this base rate, and if the employee's tips plus this base rate total less than $7.25 per hour (the standard minimum wage), the employer must cover the difference. This directly affects restaurant workers, servers, and other service employees in Kansas who rely on tips as part of their income. The bill amends Kansas law to ensure tipped workers earn at least the full minimum wage when combining tips with their base pay. It does not apply to workers covered by federal minimum wage rules under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

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 summaryHB 2090 establishes the Kansas Employee Emergency Savings Account (KEESA) program, allowing eligible Kansas employers to set up employee savings accounts with automatic payroll deductions. Employers receive an income and privilege tax credit for their deposits, while employees can subtract their own contributions from taxable income. The program requires employers to make a minimum $50 initial deposit per employee, offer federally insured accounts with mobile access, provide financial literacy tools, and report participation details annually. It directly affects Kansas employers participating in the program and their employees who choose to enroll in these emergency savings accounts.

Maddy summaryHB 2073 would exempt feminine hygiene products (such as tampons and pads) and diapers from Kansas' state sales tax. This means consumers purchasing these essential items would no longer pay the state sales tax at checkout. The bill amends Kansas' sales tax law (K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 79-3606) to add these products to the list of tax-exempt items. It directly affects all Kansas residents who buy these products, making them more affordable without changing other tax rules.