Sen. Cindy Holscher

Maddy summarySB 347 ends the Kansas Secretary of State's authority to appoint election commissioners in counties with populations over 125,000. Starting July 1, 2026, all election duties - including voter registration, election supervision, and administration - will transfer to county clerks whenever a commissioner vacancy occurs or a term ends. County clerks will then conduct elections under existing law (K.S.A. 25-126) for those counties. The bill repeals current provisions governing election commissioners, making this change permanent once no commissioners remain.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding new rules to the Kansas Constitution that would guide how the state draws boundaries for congressional, state legislative, and school board districts. The key requirements mandate that districts be as equal in population as possible, with state districts allowed a deviation of no more than 5% from the ideal population, while also prioritizing compact shapes, preserving existing communities, and avoiding the dilution of minority voting strength. Additionally, the bill restricts when these maps can be redrawn, prohibiting the legislature from doing so unless required by the state constitution or ordered by a court. If voters approve this measure in the 2026 election, it will legally bind future lawmakers to follow these specific guidelines when creating electoral maps.

Maddy summarySenate Concurrent Resolution 1619 proposes to amend the Kansas Constitution to lower the property tax assessment rate for residential real estate and mobile homes from 11.5% to 9%. This change would directly affect homeowners and mobile home residents by reducing the percentage of their property's market value used to calculate their tax liability. The bill requires a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers and subsequent approval by state voters to take effect.

Maddy summarySB 389 would remove sales tax from feminine hygiene products, diapers, and incontinence products sold in Kansas. This change directly affects consumers who purchase these essential items, making them less expensive at the point of sale. The bill amends Kansas tax code (K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 79-3606) to add these products to the list of items already exempt from state sales tax. The policy change is purely procedural, updating the tax exemption list without altering other tax rules.

Maddy summarySB 388 limits late rent fees in Kansas to a maximum of 5% of the monthly rent amount, as specified in a rental agreement. This applies directly to landlords and tenants in residential rental agreements across the state. The bill requires that any late fee charged must not exceed this 5% cap, replacing any higher fees previously allowed under lease terms. It amends the existing residential landlord-tenant law to establish this clear financial boundary for late payments.

Maddy summarySB 420, the Holocaust Education Act, requires all Kansas public school districts to include Holocaust education in the social studies curriculum for students in grades six through twelve. The bill mandates that the state board of education develop age-appropriate curriculum, materials, and guidelines covering the historical context of the Holocaust (including persecution of Jewish people, Roma, people with disabilities, and others), learning projects, and resources from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum or Midwest Center for Holocaust Education. School districts must provide this instruction to meet the goal of fostering awareness of human value and preventing future atrocities. The law defines "Holocaust" broadly to include the systematic persecution and murder of multiple groups by Nazi Germany from 1933-1945.

Maddy summarySB 118 imposes term limits on Kansas legislators: members of the House may serve a maximum of six two-year terms, and Senators may serve a maximum of three four-year terms. After reaching these limits, legislators seeking re-election must be nominated via petition under K.S.A. 25-205, rather than appearing automatically on primary ballots. The bill amends election rules to require petition signatures for candidates who have served the maximum terms, with petition forms including a statement acknowledging the term limit. This directly affects current and future legislators aiming for re-election beyond their term limit thresholds.

Maddy summaryThis Senate concurrent resolution urges the U.S. Congress to double fines for breaking federal immigration laws and asks Immigration and Customs Enforcement to more aggressively prosecute companies that hire undocumented workers. The bill directly addresses employers who hire unauthorized immigrants and federal agencies responsible for immigration enforcement, citing concerns that current penalties are too weak to deter hiring practices that allegedly harm American workers. Because this is a non-binding resolution rather than a law, it expresses the Kansas Senate's formal recommendation to federal officials without creating new legal obligations or changing existing statutes. The document highlights past statistics showing that ICE has rarely used criminal prosecution against employers compared to its focus on individuals entering the country illegally.

Maddy summarySB 189 allows injured workers in Kansas to choose their own healthcare provider for workers' compensation treatment, requiring employers to cover the costs of that provider's services. The bill amends state law to establish this choice as standard practice, while maintaining a $800 cap on employer coverage for initial visits without prior approval. This applies to all workers covered under Kansas workers' compensation, giving employees greater control over their medical care decisions.

Maddy summarySB 122 prohibits drivers in Kansas from manually using electronic communication devices (like phones, tablets, or gaming devices) while operating a motor vehicle. It bans holding devices, texting, making calls, watching videos, or entering data, except for voice-operated hands-free features, navigation, or emergency communications. Key exceptions include commercial drivers using voice control while seated and restrained, school bus operators only for official communication, and all drivers using devices while stopped. The law directly affects all drivers on public roads, with penalties for violations, aiming to reduce distracted driving.