Sen. Renee Erickson

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to limit how much the assessed value of residential real property and mobile homes can increase each year in Kansas. The amendment would cap annual increases for these property types at 1.5% of their value, starting from January 1, 2027. This change directly affects homeowners and mobile home owners by restricting how their property tax bases can grow over time. The bill requires a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers and would be submitted to voters for approval before taking effect.

Maddy summarySB 302 requires Kansas public and nonpublic K-12 schools to ban student use of personal electronic devices (like phones, tablets, or smartwatches) during instructional time, with exceptions for students with individualized education plans (IEPs) or medical needs approved by a physician. It also prohibits school staff from using social media platforms (such as Instagram or TikTok) to directly message students for official school business, allowing only public, one-way communications on approved platforms. Schools must adopt written policies by 2026 and certify compliance by September 1, 2026, covering enforcement procedures and student device storage requirements. The law applies to all on-campus instructional time but excludes virtual schools.

Maddy summarySB 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.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a concurrent resolution that formally recognizes the United States national debt as a serious threat to national security. It directly affects the U.S. Congress by urging them to establish a regular order for budgeting to address the growing debt. The resolution cites specific data points, such as the current debt level and projections for Social Security and Medicare depletion, to support its findings. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as an official statement of concern from the Kansas legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to expand the right to bear arms in Kansas to explicitly include ammunition, firearm accessories, and components. It classifies this right as a natural and fundamental one that cannot be infringed, requiring any future restrictions to meet the strict scrutiny legal standard. If approved by the legislature and voters, the change would strengthen protections for gun ownership while maintaining existing rules against standing armies in peacetime. The amendment would be placed on a special election ballot for Kansas residents to vote on in August 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a constitutional amendment to Kansas to explicitly state that only U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old and live in their local voting area are eligible to vote. The key provision clarifies residency requirements by allowing exceptions for people who temporarily move away, such as those voting in presidential elections or relocating within the state during an election cycle. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters, the change would codify these specific voter qualifications into the state constitution.