20 Mar 2026 Kansas Capitol Review – Week 10
Despite the House and Senate continuing work on property tax relief and the state budget, the 2026 Kansas legislative session is quickly nearing its end. Friday, March 20, marked the final day for non-exempt bills in either chamber, and Friday, March 27, is the scheduled First Adjournment for the session.
Racing the clock, final committee hearings and last-minute negotiations were held this week before two days of floor action on bills later in the week. House and Senate Conference Committees, comprised of the committee’s Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Ranking Minority Party Member, will play a central role in legislative activity next week, particularly on high-profile issues such as the state budget and property tax policy.
As the Legislature enters the final phase of the regular session, lawmakers will focus on resolving key differences, advancing priority measures, and preparing final legislation for consideration by the governor.
Legislative Deadlines
- March 23 – 26 Conference Committees Meeting and Final Floor Debate on Bills
- March 27 – First Adjournment
- April 9 – Veto Session Begins
Pesticide Product Labeling Protections
Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association requested the introduction of HB 2476, a bill that would amend Kansas law to clarify that label language on any US EPA-registered pesticide products satisfies any state statutory or common law duty to warn of potential hazards. After passing the House on a vote of 81-36, the bill received a hearing in the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources. On March 12, the Committee voted to table the bill. A motion to lift the bill from the table on March 13 failed on a vote of 6-4. On March 20, the House Committee on Agriculture added the contents of HB 2476 to SB 390, which would prohibit certain food additives in school food.
Seed Retailer/Wholesaler Registration Fees
SB 425 would increase maximum annual registration fees for seed wholesalers and retailers. The maximum seed wholesaler fee would be increased from $300 to $400, and the maximum seed retailer fee would be increased from $30 to $50. The bill would also institute a $25 fee for failing to renew your license on time. The proposed fees, which had not been increased for many years, would cover the cost of the seed program. The Senate amended the bill to include a grace period before the late fee and passed the bill 37-3. The House passed the bill without amendment. The bill will now be submitted to Governor Kelly for consideration.
Country of Concern Registration
HB 2759 would require registration of agents and political organizations representing countries of concern. The bill would prohibit any person from acting as an agent of a foreign principal unless such person registers with the Public Disclosure Commission by submitting a registration statement and any required supplemental documents. The bill would require certain information to be included in the registration statement, such as a comprehensive statement of the nature of the agent’s business, the amount of certain payments the agent has received and made within 60 days, and any other information as deemed necessary by the Commission. The bill requires each foreign-supported political organization to register with the Commission and include certain information such as whether the organization is affiliated with a national organization and the amount of certain payments the organization has made or received within 12 months. Violations of the bill would be subject to a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for the first violation, $10,000 for the second violation, and $15,000 for subsequent violations which would be deposited into the Public Disclosure Fee Fund. Following a March 11 hearing in the Committee on Federal and State Affairs, the bill did not receive further action.
Food Additives in School Food
SB 390 would prohibit the following additives in food provided by schools as part of certain food service programs and requiring schools to certify that school facilities do not serve food that contains Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) or various other food additives, including Brominated vegetable oil, BVO; potassium bromate; Propylparaben; Azodicarbonamide; titanium dioxide; FD&C blue No. 1; FD&C blue no. 2; FD&C green no. 3; FD&C red no. 3, FD&C red no. 40; FD&C yellow no. 5; or FD&C yellow no. 6. The Senate Committee on Agriculture amended the bill to remove reference to BHA. After passing the Senate 40-0, the House Agriculture Committee amended the bill to add the contents of HB 2476, confirming that a claim of insufficient warning language on a pesticide label is preempted by federal law. The committee passed the bill out favorably, as amended. On March 20, the bill was stricken from the House calendar.
Rural Business Growth Act
HB 2541 would create the Kansas Rural Business Growth Program Act to provide a tax credit to incentivize capital investment in rural areas and a program administered by the Secretary of Commerce. The House Tax Committee took action on the bill, but on a vote of 7-12, the bill failed to pass out of committee.
Expediting Updates to Kansas Fire Code
HB 2739, as amended, would exclude the construction of certain types of residential housing from specified requirements in law and create a limited exception to the requirements for proposed rules and regulations promulgated by the State Fire Marshal for purposes of updating the Kansas Fire Prevention Code. Through an amendment offered by Senator Blasi, the bill would exempt from the requirements for submission and review of an economic impact statement in continuing law, proposed rules and regulations adopted by the State Fire Marshal on or before December 21, 2026, to update the Kansas Fire Prevention Code with provisions of the 2024 edition of the National Fire Protection Association Standards. Proposed rules and regulations submitted to the Attorney General pursuant to this provision would be required to be reviewed by the Attorney General within 120 days of submission. The Senate passed the bill, as amended, on a vote of 39-1. The bill now goes back to the House for a motion to concur or nonconcur. If nonconcur, the bill could be considered by a House and Senate Commerce Committee.
Gross Vehicle Weight
HB 2604 was introduced at the request of the Kansas Dept. of Revenue to amend statutory definitions regarding commercial motor vehicles by: adding gross vehicle weight to the definitions of class A, B, and C commercial vehicles in vehicle registration statutes; align definitions of commercial motor vehicles in the Kansas Uniform Commercial Drivers’ License Act (CDL Act) and the registration statute [Note: These definitions would be the same as definitions in federal law establishing standards for commercial drivers licenses, in 49 CFR Part 383.]; add a definition of “air mile” to the CDL Act [Note: Farm CDL exemptions apply within 150 air miles of the farm]; and add definitions of “gross vehicle weight” to registration statutes and the CDL Act, to mean the weight of the vehicle or power unit plus the weight of the load or the towed unit or units. After passing the House 122-2, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation. The bill did not advance from committee but could receive further consideration in a Transportation Conference Committee between the House and Senate.
Judicial Deference to Regulatory Agencies
Governor Laura Kelly signed HB 2183 into law. The bill prohibits a state court or an administrative hearing officer from deferring to a regulatory agency’s interpretation of certain statutes, rules or regulations. While the court or officer could consider the agency’s interpretation, they would be required to interpret the meaning and effect of such statute, rules and regulation, or document, de novo using their own reasoning independent of the agency’s interpretation.
Tort Reform – Prohibiting Practice of Jury Anchoring
SB 413 was introduced to prohibit the practice, known as “jury anchoring,” where legal counsel suggest a large damage amount for noneconomic loss in civil action for the purpose of increasing the negotiated damage award. The bill was supported by various business stakeholder groups. The Senate passed the bill 29-11. The bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee but has not received a hearing. The bill may receive additional consideration in a joint Judiciary Conference Committee.
Tort Reform – Adopting Certain Federal Expert Witness Rules of Evidence
SB 398 was introduced to require a proponent to demonstrate that it is more likely than not that certain specialized knowledge will help the trier of fact to understand evidence before certain qualified witnesses may testify. After passing the Senate, the House amended and passed the bill. The bill now goes back to the Senate to consider the House amendments.
Tort Reform – Prohibiting Recovery in Certain Civil Actions
SB 463 would prohibit certain persons from recovering damages in certain civil actions. The bill would prohibit persons who engaged or participated in wrongful conduct from bringing an action for negligence, or collecting damages for negligent conduct, related to such wrongful conduct. After passing the Senate on a vote of 30-10, the House Judiciary Committee amended the bill and passed it out favorably. While the bill was stricken from the House Calendar on March 20, the contents of the bill may receive further consideration during a Judiciary Conference Committee.
Tort Reform – Public Nuisance Claims
SB 462 would prohibit certain public nuisance claims, require the attorney general to bring nuisance actions that are not wholly contained in one political subdivision, require special injury for certain public nuisance actions, and provide an accrual period for the statute of limitations in public nuisance actions. After passing the Senate, the House amended the bill and passed favorably. The bill now goes back to the Senate for consideration of the House amendments.
Attorney General Litigation Review
HB 2593, requested by the Kansas Attorney General, would require any political subdivision of the state to hold an open meeting to discuss a contingency fee contract for legal services and require the attorney general to approve such contracts. After passing the House, the Senate amended the bill and passed it 23-17. The bill now goes back to the House for consideration of the Senate amendments.
House Water Committee Activity
Tuesday, March 17: The committee amended and passed out SB 317. Final committee meeting of the session and the biennium.
Thursday, March 19: Committee did not meet.
Water Right Change Notification
HB 2477 amends notice requirements for change-of-use water applications for stakeholders within a certain distance from the water right. The legislation is intended to clarify that the agency will notify all surrounding landowners. The agency seeks to notify all surrounding landowners to ensure that all potentially affected residents and water right holders are notified. The current process involves identifying all surrounding water right holders, including domestic well users, many of whom are unregistered. A map of the affected areas would be posted on the agency website, which the agency indicated was intended to protect privacy while still providing the relevant information for potentially affected water rights holders. The bill was passed by the House and Senate and presented to Governor Laura Kelly for consideration on March 13, 2026.
Water Structures
HB 2114 was introduced at the request of KDA to amend the Stream Obstruction Act. As amended, the bill would allow the state to provide inspections on a cost-for-service basis and provide for the certification of non-state entities to perform inspections for the state. The legislation would create application fees based on hazard class for new construction or modifications. The bill would require any licensed professional engineer who conducts inspections required by the act to be approved by the chief engineer and would add a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for each intentional violation of the act. Find more information here. The House passed the bill 103-13. The Senate amended the bill and sent it back to the House for consideration.
State Water Plan Funding
Introduced by House Water Committee Chairman Minnix, HB 2558 would have increased the statutory transfer from the state general fund to the state water plan fund to $60M per year (currently $35M), on July 1, 2026, through July 1, 2030. The bill did not survive turnaround week and was removed from the House Calendar. Full funding of the State Water Plan is being finalized in a Conference Committee HB 2513, which will include the state budget
County Authority over Water Transfers
Introduced by Rep. Wasinger (R-Hays), HB 2433 clarifies county authority over the transfer or appropriation of water by placing such authority, except for domestic use, with the chief engineer and water transfer hearing panel. The bill would prohibit a county from enacting or enforcing any resolution or other action regulating the transfer or appropriation of water that conflicts with, interferes with, is more stringent than, or would duplicate the control, regulation, enforcement, or oversight of the Chief Engineer or the Water Transfer Hearing Panel regarding the transfer or appropriation of water per continuing law. The bill would prohibit a county from: requiring any license, permit, or conditional use permit to transfer or appropriate water; or imposing any condition, restriction, limitation, requirement, fee, or charge related to transfer or appropriation of water. The bill retroactively and prospectively applies to all existing and future county resolutions that affect past, present, or future transfer or appropriations of water. After passing the House (116-6) and the Senate (36-3). The bill was then presented to Governor Laura Kelly for consideration on March 17.
Reuse of Treated Water
HB 2462 would require the Secretary of Health and Environment to adopt rules and regulations that allow for the direct and indirect potable reuse of treated wastewater. After passing the House 123-1, the bill was amended and passed by the Senate. The bill now goes back to the House to consider the Senate amendments.
Excise Taxes on Renewable Energy Facilities
SB 534 would implement two new excise taxes by imposing a nameplate capacity tax and a production tax on certain wind farms and solar facilities beginning in tax year 2027. For the privilege of constructing and operating a renewable energy facility for commercial purposes in the state, any company owning, controlling, managing, or leasing any real or personal property used or intended for use as a wind farm or a solar facility would pay an annual tax equal to $4 per kilowatt multiplied by the nameplate capacity of the renewable energy facility. The bill would define a “renewable energy facility” as any wind farm or solar facility with at least 5,000 kilowatts. The bill would include provisions that allow for the tax to be prorated for the months that a new or decommissioned renewable energy facility is operating. The bill would define “nameplate capacity” as the number of kilowatts a renewable energy facility can produce, as assigned to the power units in the renewable energy facility by the manufacturer and determined by the Secretary of Revenue. The bill also would include definitions of “collector system,” “company,” “solar facility,” and “wind farm.” Following a hearing in the Senate Tax Committee, the bill received no further action.
Property Tax Relief Proposals
SCR 1603, as amended, would amend the Kansas Constitution to provide that the taxable value of certain property would be the lesser of the fair market value of the property or the average fair market value, as defined by the legislature in statute, and would authorize the Legislature to freeze or limit valuations of residential property of qualifying seniors. The amendment would take effect in tax year 2028. The average fair market value amendment would apply to residential real estate, mobile homes used as residential property, commercial and industrial real estate, and buildings and improvements on agricultural land. The Senate non-concurred with the House amendments, and the bill was referred to a Tax conference committee.
SCR 1616 proposes amending the Kansas Constitution to limit annual increases to the assessed value of residential and commercial property (for tax purposes) to no more than 3 percent. The bill, which is on the Senate calendar pending further action, appears to have strong Senate support. As a constitutional question, the bill requires passage by a supermajority of the legislature but does not require the Governor’s signature. If passed by the legislature, the measure would appear as a ballot question on the next statewide ballot and become effective in 2027. The Senate passed the bill on a bipartisan vote of 30-10. After passing from the House Tax Committee, the full House voted the bill down on a voice vote.
HB 2745 would create a property tax funding limit and repeal the existing revenue-neutral rate notice and hearing requirements for taxing jurisdictions. In cases of a successful protest petition of 5 percent of the voters, the bill would limit the amount of ad valorem property tax revenue used to fund a taxing jurisdiction’s budget to no more than 103 percent of the amount from the prior year, with certain exclusions. If qualified voters totaling at least 5 percent of the votes cast for the office of Secretary of State in the most recent general election in the taxing district sign the protest petition, the taxing jurisdiction would be limited to a budget with property taxes from the prior year. The House passed the bill 76-45. The Senate Tax Committee passed the bill out of committee as Substitute for House Bill 2745. The bill was referred back to committee.
Lottery Tax Revenues for Property Tax Relief
The House Tax Committee passed out Sub for SB 303, which would enact a privilege tax on sports wagers, impose retail sales and compensating use taxes on certain lottery tickets, and schedule the sunset of certain sales tax exemptions for named entities. The bill would direct revenues from these tax provisions to the Property Tax Relief Fund, created by the bill, and reduce the statewide uniform school finance property tax levy based on the amount of revenue generated from the new taxes. The Sports Wagering Privilege Tax would enact a 2 percent privilege tax on each sports wager placed with a lottery gaming facility manager to be paid by the person placing the wager and collected by the lottery gaming facility manager. Lottery gaming facility managers would be required to remit all such collections to the Department of Revenue on the 25th day of the month following the collection of the tax, along with a report of information necessary to establish the amount of tax due. In addition, the bill would sunset existing sales tax exemptions for more than 50 organizations. As it was passed out of the House Tax Committee, it was unclear how much revenue the new taxes might generate for the Property Tax Relief Fund. As previously passed by the Senate, SB 303 would have allowed the Labette County Board of Commissioners to submit a ballot question to the electors to impose a countywide sales tax to provide financial support to the Labette County fire departments.
School Mill Levy Reduction
HB 2011 would decrease the rate of ad valorem tax imposed by school districts from 20 (currently) to 18.5 in school years 2025 and 2026, and would increase the value of the residential homestead property tax exemption. After passing out of the House Tax Committee on February 12, the bill has received no further action.
M&E Property Tax Exemption
SB 320 would remove the 2006 cut-off date for the commercial and industrial machinery and equipment property tax exemption. The Senate Tax Committee held a hearing on the bill, but due to a large economic impact report did not take further action. The House Tax Committee heard and passed out a similar bill in HB 2406, which has not received further action.
Property Tax Proposed on Battery Energy Storage Systems
In 2025, HB 2083 was introduced to end the permanent property tax exemption on battery energy storage system (BESS) units and instead provide a 10-year property tax exemption. This week, the Senate Tax Committee amended the bill to immediately place a property tax on all energy storage equipment beginning January 1, 2027. Following additional discussion, the bill did not advance from the committee.
Property Tax Valuation Cap
House Bill 2644 would require a county appraiser to adjust the value of residential and commercial property upon a final determination of a valuation appeal or obtain an independent fee simple appraisal if the appraised value exceeds a 5 percent increase each year for five years. The requirement would apply to commercial and residential real property, and tangible personal property after January 1, 2026. The requirement would apply in cases where the valuation for such property has been reduced due to a final determination of value pursuant to the valuation appeals process, and if the valuation has increased by more than 5 percent above the prior year’s valuation. The requirement would apply in cases where the valuation for such property has been reduced due to a final determination of value, pursuant to the valuation appeals process, and if the valuation has increased by more than 5 percent above the prior year’s valuation. The bill, which had no proponents during House or Senate hearings, was passed by the House and the Senate and will be presented to the Governor for consideration. Find more information here.
Corporate Income Tax Apportionment
House Bill 2773 would require certain manufacturers of alcoholic liquor to utilize the single sales factor apportionment method to apportion business income to Kansas for corporation income tax purposes beginning January 1, 2027. All other manufacturers of alcoholic liquor would be required to utilize the three-factor apportionment formula in continuing law, which considers the amount of property, payroll, and sales in Kansas. The bill was passed by the House and referred to the Senate Tax Committee. In addition, HB 2336 would require, beginning in tax year 2027, most corporations with income in multiple states to apportion their income for Kansas income tax purposes based upon the share of the corporation’s total sales that occur in Kansas. The House passed the bill last year, and the Senate Tax Committee held a hearing on the bill on February 25, 2026. The bill is likely to be used as a Tax shell bill by the Tax Conference Committee.
Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income
HB 2642 would decouple the state from specific portions of the federal code regarding GILTI and NCTI following passage of the federal OBBB. GILTI is a US tax provision aimed at ensuring that US taxpayers pay a minimum level of tax on foreign earnings, particularly those derived from intangible assets. The bill removes an obsolete reference to global intangible low-taxed income provided for under the federal Internal Revenue Code in determining Kansas adjusted gross income. After passing from the House on a unanimous vote, the bill was referred to the Senate Tax Committee, and a hearing was held on March 13.
HPIP Reform – Tax Credit Repeal
House Bill 2757, as amended, would make changes to the High Performance Incentive Program (HPIP) tax credit and discontinue certain income tax credits. The House Tax Committee amended the bill to remove most of the provisions that amended HPIP and extended the angel investor tax credit. The amendments would also no longer repeal the environmental compliance credit. The committee passed the bill out as amended. The bill would clarify that transfers of unused HPIP credits for projects placed into service on and after January 1, 2021, as allowed by continuing law, could be made by any taxpayer, including pass-through entities, at any time during the carryforward period. The taxpayer would be required to ensure that any transferred tax credit has not been used. The bill would also allow, starting in tax year 2026, an S corporation wholly owned by an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), as defined by federal law, to make one or more transfers totaling up to 100 percent of the unused portion of the tax credit. The bill would allow such transfers to be made to one or more transferees in one or more tax years at any time during the carry-forward period, provided any transferred credit has not been used. Find more details on the bill here.
Local Sales Tax Authority
HB 2712 would increase the authority for a countywide retailers’ sales tax and provide for the dedicated apportionment of special purpose tax revenues up to 2 percent. It would limit the special purpose city and countywide retailers’ sales taxes to 10 years. After passing the House on a vote of 108-11, the Senate Tax Committee held a hearing on March 13.
Grain Theft
HB 2422 would increase the presumptive criminal penalty for theft of at least 400 bushels of grain to a severity level 6, non-person felony. This is a “border-box” penalty allowing either presumptive probation or imprisonment based on the defendant’s criminal history. The House passed the bill 123-0. The Senate amended the bill to add theft of 20,000 pounds of hay and then passed the bill 40-0 as amended. On March 12, in an attempt to encourage the Senate to pass additional legislation, the House non-concurred with the Senate amendments and referred the bill to a Judiciary Conference Committee.
Theft of Livestock and Implements of Husbandry
HB 2413 would increase the presumptive criminal penalty for the theft of livestock or implements of husbandry to a severity level 5, non-person felony, which is presumptive imprisonment. The bill defines “livestock” as meaning “cattle and horses”. The House passed the bill 120-3. The Senate Judiciary Committee amended the bill with a technical amendment and then passed it out favorably as amended. On March 13, the Senate passed the bill 39-0. The House non-concurred with the Senate amendments and referred the bill to a Judiciary Conference Committee.
Mobile Phone Use in Construction Zones
Sub for SB 366 would prohibit use of a mobile telephone in a school zone or road construction zone under certain circumstances and would authorize certain uses and colors of warning lights on highway construction vehicles. Prohibiting Use of a Mobile Telephone in School and Work Zones The bill would add a prohibition in the Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways on use of a mobile telephone in a school zone when a reduced speed limit is enforced or in a road construction zone while workers are present (school or work zone) and signs are posted at the beginning of the road construction zone alerting drivers to such workers. Holding a mobile telephone would constitute a rebuttable presumption of a violation of that prohibition. Following passage by the House (116-7) and the Senate (31-9), the bill will be presented to Governor Kelly for consideration.
Citizenship Status on Driver’s License
HB 2448 would require a person’s citizenship status to be listed on their driver’s license. After passing the House on a vote of 77-41, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs. The bill did not advance from committee but could receive further consideration in a Conference Committee between the House and Senate.
Short Line Income Tax Credit
HB 2469 expands the transferability of the existing income tax credit for qualified shortline railroad track maintenance expenditures. The House Tax Committee passed the bill out favorably on March 11 and the bill was placed on the House calendar.
Occupational Licensing
CCR SB 30 requires adoption of new occupational licenses, and material changes to existing licenses, be approved by the Legislature. The bill also requires agencies to annually report certain information of such occupational licensing to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and Regulations (JCARR). An “occupational license” is defined as an exclusive authorization in law establishing the personal qualifications necessary to engage in an occupation or profession and any associated rules and regulations. Various industries were exempted from the bill. The House passed the bill 89-35, and the bill was presented to the Senate for final consideration.
Critical Infrastructure Protection – Countries of Concern
SB 453 would enact the Kansas critical infrastructure protection act to prohibit access to state critical infrastructure by countries of concern and the acquisition of critical software and other technology used in state infrastructure from countries of concern. After referral to the Senate Committee of Federal and State Affairs, the bill did not receive a hearing.
Statewide Fiber Optic Conduit
HB 2647 would establish the Statewide Conduit System for fiber optic transmissions of broadband connections, establish the Kansas Broadband Revolving Fund in the State Treasury to create and maintain the system, and establish a schedule of fees to be charged to entities installing or using the system. After passing the House, the bill was then amended and passed by the Senate. The House non-concurred with the Senate amendments and the bill was sent to a joint Transportation Conference Committee.
Natural Gas Infrastructure
HB 2435 was introduced to enact the natural gas infrastructure availability act to authorize natural gas public utilities to defer to a regulatory asset all depreciation expense and carrying cost for any new plant, facilities, or equipment that such utility has put into service, and authorize recovery of such regulatory asset via an interim rate adjustment mechanism. Having passed the House and the Senate, the bill will be sent to Governor Kelly for consideration.
Utility Railroad Crossings
SB 439 would create the Utility Railroad Crossing Act to establish a consistent process for the altering of facilities crossing or parallel to a railroad right-of-way. The bill would require a utility to provide written notice of request to the railroad 30 days prior to action and include certain components, including a one-time standard fee, and minimum insurance requirements. The bill would stipulate instances where notice is not required and parameters for emergency maintenance or repair and expense reimbursement. The bill would establish notification procedures in the event of objection and processes in the event of disagreement to include filing a complaint with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). After passing the Senate 33-5, the bill was referred to both the House Transportation Committee and the House Committee on Energy and Utilities.
Temporary Unemployment Insurance
Hse Sub for SB 229 would clarify Legislative intent, guidance, and public policy regarding the Kansas Employment Security Law, including the addition of reference to applicable federal laws and guidance. The bill would prohibit certain employment security law measures, from being amended without Legislative review. This would specifically prohibit such amendments from being made through budget provisos, appropriations bills, or temporary fiscal measures. Employer-sponsored supplemental unemployment benefit plans would be allowed if all requirements outlined in the bill were met and such plans were authorized by the Secretary of Labor. The Secretary would be required to maintain and publish a registry of authorized supplemental unemployment benefit plans submitted by employers on the Department of Labor website. In addition, the Secretary would be required to monitor the interaction between supplemental unemployment benefit plans and state unemployment insurance claims to ensure continued solvency of the Employment Security Trust Fund. Find more information here. After passing the House on a vote of 83-36, the Senate non-concurred with the House amendments and the bill was referred to a joint Commerce Conference Committee.
Paid Sick Leave
HB 2597 would require paid sick leave for all employees working in Kansas. The bill is no longer a live bill this session.
Portable Benefit Plans
HB 2602 would establish requirements for a portable benefit plan for independent contractors, determining types of contributions to such plans and providing a subtraction modification for Kansas income tax purposes. After passing the House on a vote of 103-21, the Senate amended the bill and passed it 40-0. The bill now goes back to the House to consider the Senate amendments.
Crush Transnational Repression
Senate Bill 454 would enact the “Crush Transnational Repression” act. Under the act, “transnational repression” would mean actions and behaviors intended to harass, intimidate, or censors that are committed by an agent of a foreign adversary, defined as the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Republic of Cuba; Islamic Republic of Iran; Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; Russian Federation; Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; and any organization that is designated as a foreign terrorist organization as of July 1, 2026, pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act, except where otherwise adopted by the Fusion Center Oversight Board. Following a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, the Senate passed the bill 40-0.