HB 2413 Kansas House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Enhancing the criminal penalty for an offense committed with the intent to commit transnational repression, requiring the development of transnational repression recognition and response training, providing that theft of livestock or implements of husbandry is a severity level 5, nonperson felony, providing that the theft of grain or hay is a severity level 6, nonperson felony and providing that certain portions of the crime of cruelty to animals do not apply to any person who catches a feral cat to provide vaccination, spaying or neutering and returns such cat back to the location where such cat is caught.

HB 2413 reclassifies theft of livestock (cattle or horses) or farm equipment (implements of husbandry) as a severity level 5 felony, raising penalties for these crimes. Previously, such thefts might have been treated as lower-level offenses. The bill also allows authorities to seize vehicles, tools, or other property used to commit these thefts. It directly affects Kansas farmers and ranchers by strengthening legal protections for their livestock and farm equipment.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Signed Apr 9, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Amended by Senate Committee Enrolled · 5 edits · Apr 9, 2026
MODERATE
The bill was significantly expanded to include new provisions addressing transnational repression by foreign governments and terrorist organizations, alongside existing theft and animal cruelty laws. The original version focused solely on enhancing penalties for livestock theft and animal cruelty, while the final version adds a comprehensive section defining foreign adversaries, prohibiting specific coercive acts, and mandating state training programs to identify and respond to these threats.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from a narrow focus on property theft and animal welfare to include a broad new category of crimes involving foreign state interference and intimidation.
SCOPE

Added a new section establishing crimes related to transnational repression, including coercion, forced departure from the U.S., and retaliation against First Amendment activities.

The original text regarding theft penalties and animal cruelty exemptions was retained but reorganized and formatted within the new, larger bill structure.

DEFINITION

Introduced specific definitions for 'agent', 'foreign adversary', 'foreign principal', and 'transnational repression' to clarify who and what the new laws apply to.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated the development of training programs for law enforcement and public awareness campaigns to help identify and report transnational repression.

TIMELINE

Set a deadline of July 1, 2027, for the director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to develop the required training materials.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
13
Committee
8
Apr 9, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor on Thursday, April 9, 2026
lower
Mar 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Conference Committee Report was adopted; Yea 124, Nay 0, Absent 1
lower
Mar 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Conference Committee Report was adopted; Yea 40, Nay 0
upper
Mar 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Conference committee report now available
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Motion to accede adopted; Sen. Kellie Warren, Sen. Kenny Titus and Sen. Ethan Corson appointed as conferees
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Nonconcurred with amendments; Conference Committee requested; appointed Rep. Susan Humphries, Rep. Laura Williams and Rep. Dan Osman
lower
Mar 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea 39, Nay 0, Absent 1
upper
Mar 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
upper
Mar 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Senate Committee on Judiciary
upper
Jan 29, 2026
Committee
Referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Introduced
Received and Introduced
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
Final Action - Passed; Yea 120, Nay 3, Absent 2
lower
Jan 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Be passed
lower
Jan 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee Report recommending bill be passed by House Committee on Judiciary
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Committee
Referred to House Committee on Judiciary
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced
Introduced
lower
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors