13 Feb 2026 Kansas Capitol Review – Week Five
Listen to this week’s report:
Week Five of the 2026 Kansas Legislative Session marked a noticeable shift from early-session bill filings to more substantive committee work and initial floor debate. With most bill introductions complete, lawmakers spent the week refining proposals and moving priority measures forward ahead of Turnaround Day, next Thursday, Feb. 19, when most nonexempt bills must clear their chamber of origin in order to remain alive for this session.
As the Legislature moves closer to key deadlines, the pace of activity is expected to accelerate, with more bills appearing on chamber calendars and negotiations beginning to take shape.
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 timely renew your license. The fees had not been increased for many years. The proposed fees would cover the cost of the seed program. The Senate Committee on Agriculture amended the bill to include a grace period before the late fee and then passed the bill out favorably.
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. The House passed the bill out 81-36, with at least 5 conservative lawmakers absent for the vote. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, and could receive a hearing in two weeks.
PFAS Regulations
HB 2674 was introduced by Rep. Bohi and referred to the House Committee on Health and Human Services. The bill would prohibit certain products that contain intentionally added PFAS and require disclosure of information and the testing of products that contain intentionally added PFAS and are sold, offered for sale, distributed or distributed for sale in this state. The bill exempts FIFRA-regulated products. As of Friday, February 13, 2026, the bill had not received a committee hearing.
Land Application of Biosolids and Organic Waste Materials
HB 2682 would enact the Kansas organic waste land application accountability act and authorizing the department of health and environment to regulate the land application of biosolids and organic waste materials, except when applied by a bona fide farmer conducting normal farming operations on land owned or leased by such farmer. After referral to the House Committee on Agriculture, the bill did not receive a hearing.
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 Judiciary Committee passed the bill out favorably on February 11.
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. The Senate Judiciary Committee passed the bill out favorably on February 10.
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. The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on February 10.
Attorney General Litigation Review
HB 2593 was requested by the Kansas Attorney General to 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. The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on February 10.
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. Proponents stated that the program is intended to replace the rural opportunity zone program. The House Tax Committee held a hearing on the bill on February 9.
Right To Repair
SB 495 was introduced this week to enact the motor vehicle right to repair act. Upon referral to the House Commerce Committee, the bill did not receive a hearing.
Triple-Trailers on Highways
SB 411 would authorize the use of triple trailers on highways, increasing the allowable gross weight for such vehicle combinations and allowing the use of trailers with dealer license plates. The Senate Transportation Committee held a hearing on the bill on Tuesday, February 10.
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. On February 11, the Senate Agriculture Committee amended the bill to remove the reference to BHA and then passed the bill out favorably.
English Proficiency for Commercial Drivers
HB 2583 would require commercial motor vehicle drivers to possess certain identification documents and proficiency of the English language while operating a commercial motor vehicle and establishing fines and penalties for violations. The House Transportation Committee held a hearing on the bill on Thursday, February 12.
Citizenship Status on Driver’s License
HB 2448 would require a person’s citizenship status to be listed on their driver’s license. On Thursday, February 13, 2026, the House passed the bill 77-41.
House Water Committee Activity This Week
This week, the House Water Committee took the following actions:
- Tuesday, Feb. 10: The committee held a hearing on HB 2558, relating to state water plan funding.
- Thursday, Feb. 12: The committee passed HB 2558 out favorably for passage.
Water Right Change Notification
The House Water Committee advanced HB 2477 favorably on February 5. The bill would amend 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.
State Water Plan Funding
Introduced by House Water Committee Chairman Minnix, HB 2558 would increase the amount of money transferred from the state general fund to the state water plan fund and from the state water plan fund to the water technical assistance fund and the water project grant fund. The bill would increase the statutory transfer from the state general fund to the state water plan fund to $60M per year (currently $35M), on July 1, 2026, July 1, 2027, July 1, 2028, July 1, 2029, and July 1, 2030. In addition, the bill would extend the sunset of the transfers to July 1, 2031. In addition, funding for the state water plan programs, through various agency budgets, is still being determined by the House Appropriations Committee and Senate Ways and Means Committee. On February 12, the committee passed the bill out favorably.
New Conservation Funds
HB 2063, as amended, would create the State Conservation Fund, Working Lands Conservation Fund, Wildlife Conservation Fund, and Kansas Outdoors Fund in the State Treasury. The bill would authorize a $16.0 million transfer from the State Gaming Revenues Fund to the State Conservation Fund, of which funding would be distributed to the three other funds. The House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources amended the bill and advanced it favorably for passage.
Water Structures
KDA introduced HB 2114 last year to amend the Stream Obstruction Act in various ways. 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 less than $100 nor more than $1,000 per violation. The House Committee on Agriculture may take action on the bill next week.
Pump Installer License
HB 2424 would establish a new license requirement for any pump installation contractor and require such pump installation contractor to pass qualification examinations. The bill would also create new record-keeping requirements for licensed pump installation contractors and water well contractors. The House Water Committee amended the bill and passed it out favorably.
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. After passing the House on February 9, the bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Local Government.
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. The House Water Committee passed the bill out of committee favorably.
Senate Property Tax Relief Proposal
The Senate Tax Committee advanced SCR 1616 favorably from committee. The bill 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.
House Property Tax Relief Proposal
introduced by the House Tax Committee Chairman, HB 2745 would require a vote of the electors to approve increases in property tax revenues for the following year. It would also establish a $60M property tax relief fund and provide transfers to counties that limit property taxes to certain increases. It would establish a property tax limit in lieu of the revenue-neutral rate to provide for certain budget increases of taxing subdivisions and would continue in existence the taxpayer notification costs fund. the House Tax Committee held a hearing on February 12, and will take final action on Monday, February 16, 2026.
School Mill Levy Reduction
House Bill 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. Following a hearing in the House Tax Committee last year, the Committee passed the bill out of committee on February 12, 2026.
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 and will take final action next week. The House Tax Committee heard, and then passed out favorably, a similar bill in HB 2406.
Earnings Tax Proposed
HB 2385 would authorize cities and counties to propose an earnings tax for ballot question and to levy such tax if approved by the electors of a city or county, requiring resubmission of the question, if approved, to the electors every 10 years, allowing certain credits and exemptions against the tax, providing for deductions by public and private employers of the tax from employee earnings and providing that revenue from any such tax be pledged for certain purposes. The House Tax Committee held a hearing on the bill on February 9.
Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI)
HB 2642 would decouple the state from on 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 obsolete reference to global intangible low-taxed income provided for under the federal internal revenue code in determining Kansas adjusted gross income. The House Tax Committee held a hearing on the bill and then passed it out of committee favorably for passage.
HPIP Reform / Tax Credit Repeal
On Thursday, February 12, the House Commerce Committee held a hearing on HB 2757. The bill would repeal or discontinue certain income tax credit incentives, extend the income tax credit for angel investors, and provide expanded options in the high-performance incentive program (HPIP) tax credit for tax credit transfers and wage requirements for rural businesses. The bill proposes the repeal of the following: alternative fuel tax credit, assistive technology contribution credit, biomass-to-energy plant tax credit and deduction, carbon dioxide capture and sequestration tax deduction, disabled access credit, electric cogeneration facility credit and deduction, employer health insurance contribution credit, environmental compliance credit, friends of cedar crest association credit, petroleum refinery credit, regional foundation credit, storage and blending equipment credit and deduction and swine facility improvement credit.
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. After passing the House on a vote of 123-0, the bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Theft of Livestock and Implements of Husbandry
Introduced by Rep. Steele, 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”. After passing the House on a vote of 120-3, the bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
EV Equity Road Repair Tax
HB 2414 was introduced to establish the the EV energy equity road repair tax act and provide for a road repair tax on electricity distributed from a public charging station for electric vehicles. The bill was referred to the House Transportation Committee.
Mobile Phone Use in Construction Zones
SB 324 would prohibit any person from using a mobile telephone while operating a motor vehicle in a school zone at a time when a reduced speed limit is enforced, and prohibit any person from using a mobile telephone while operating a motor vehicle in a road construction zone while workers are present. These provisions would not apply to a person operating a motor vehicle that is halted at a location where the vehicle can safely and lawfully remain stationary, or to a person who is using a mobile telephone that is hands-free. The bill is scheduled for Senate floor debate on Monday, February 16.
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 held a hearing on the bill on Wednesday, February 4.
Swine Waste
HB 2693, introduced at the request of the Kansas Sierra Club, would prohibit certain applications of swine waste, establish setback rules, and require applicators to prevent nuisance conditions. After referral to the House Committee on Agriculture, the bill did not receive a hearing.
Lower Electric Utility Rates
HB 2483 was introduced at the request of a broad stakeholder coalition that seeks to lower electric utility rates for all rate payers. Referred to as the “TRUE” act, the bill seeks “transparency & Reform of Utility Expenditures.” The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications. The bill received a hearing on February 10.
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.
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. The House Energy and Utilities Committee held a hearing on January 22.
Temporary Unemployment Insurance
On February 11, the House Commerce Committee held a hearing on HB 2764, a bill that 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.
Paid Sick Leave
HB 2597 would require paid sick leave for all employees working in Kansas. The bill was referred to the House Commerce Committee but did not receive a hearing.
Portable Benefit Plans for Independent Contractors
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. The House Insurance Committee passed the bill out favorably on February 11.
Additional Bills:
- HB 2456 Authorizing cities / counties 0 percent sales tax authority on food and food ingredients
- HB 2458 Requiring the approval of property tax levies and bond issuances by elected bodies or electors
- HB 2463 creating the rural health transformation fund
- HB 2465 professionals’ freedom of expression act to provide protection for professionals and businesses against adverse action as a result of an expression of beliefs
- HB 2484 repealing the sunset on the Kansas promise scholarship program
- HB 2498 making driving commercial vehicle under the influence a person crime
- HB 2516 allowing for the appointment of county appraisers
- HB 2517 Leavenworth County Sales Tax
- HB 2580 KS International Trade Commission (Ireland, Japan, Taiwan)
- HB 2641 property rights protection act to require just compensation to landowners for government actions
- HB 2647 enacting a statewide fiber system
- HB 2649 KS empowerment savings program, allowing employees to contribute to IRAs
- HB 2650 concerning noncompete agreements
- HB 2678 medical cannabis
- HB 2679 adult use of cannabis
- HB 2701 Permitting nonuniform zoning regulations within a zoning district
- HB 2712 Increasing the authority for a countywide retailers’ sales tax
- HB 2759 Requiring registration of agents and political organizations representing countries of concern
- SB 329 Requiring county appraiser to submit a single property appraisal report at the BOTA valuation appeal
- SB 365 authorizing the election of county appraisers
- SB 437 tech college task force
- SB 439 Utility Railroad Crossing Act, process for utilities to interact with Railroad right of way
- SB 454 crush transnational repression in Kansas act
- SB 463 Prohibiting certain person from recovering damages in certain civil actions