House Subsitute for SB 260 by Committee on Federal and State Affairs - Relating to campaign finance; concerning a vacancy in the joint candidacy of the governor and lieutenant governor; relating to reasons for withdrawal of candidacy from national, state and local offices; relating to the election of the board of directors of certain irrigation districts; specifying when such elections may be conducted by the mail ballot election law; relating to the crime of corrupt political advertising; removing the requirements that treasurers be listed in political advertising attributions; clarifying campaign finance reports regarding vendor information.
SB 260 amends Kansas' parimutuel racing law to redefine "horsemen's associations" and "horsemen's nonprofit organizations" with specific eligibility rules for racetrack license holders at Eureka Downs, Anthony Downs, or fair association facilities. It modifies qualifications for organization licenses and changes how certain tax revenues from racing are distributed. The bill directly affects horse racing organizations, owners, and trainers seeking licenses to operate at designated racetracks or facilities near fairs. These changes aim to clarify licensing requirements and revenue allocation under the state's racing regulations.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Feb 11, 2025
Signed Apr 9, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
As Amended by Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs
→
Enrolled
·
5 edits
·
Apr 9, 2026
MODERATE
The bill was completely rewritten to shift focus from horse racing regulations to election law and campaign finance. It establishes new rules for withdrawing candidacy due to medical hardship or residency changes, clarifies when irrigation district elections can use mail-in ballots, and updates procedures for school board elections.
Scope change
The bill's scope changed entirely from regulating horse racing and parimutuel wagering to regulating elections, campaign finance, and candidate withdrawals.
SCOPE
All provisions related to horse racing, racetrack licenses, and parimutuel wagering were removed.
ELIGIBILITY
New rules allow candidates to withdraw from nomination if they face severe medical hardship or no longer reside in Kansas, provided certification is submitted by September 1st.
Rules for school board elections were updated to specify how candidates can petition for candidacy based on district residency or at-large status.
REQUIREMENT
Specific notification requirements were added for election officials to inform party committees of vacancies within 48 hours of receiving withdrawal or death notifications.
New provisions allow irrigation district director elections to be conducted via mail ballot under specific conditions.
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
21
Key actions
16
Committee
9
Apr 9, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor on Tuesday, April 7, 2026
upper
Mar 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Conference Committee Report was adopted; Yea 39, Nay 1
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Conference Committee Report was adopted; Yea 98, Nay 27
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Conference committee report now available
lower
Mar 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rep. Pat Proctor, Rep. Paul Waggoner, and Rep. Kirk Haskins are appointed to replace Rep. Tom Kessler, Rep. Rebecca Schmoe, and Rep. Heather Meyer on the Conference Committee
lower
Mar 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Motion to accede adopted; Rep. Tom Kessler, Rep. Rebecca Schmoe and Rep. Heather Meyer appointed as conferees
lower
Mar 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Nonconcurred with amendments; Conference Committee requested; appointed Sen. Mike Thompson, Sen. Tory Marie Blew and Sen. Oletha Faust Goudeau
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Emergency Final Action - Substitute passed; Yea 110, Nay 14, Absent 1
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Motion to advance to Emergency Final Action adopted
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Substitute bill be passed
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted recommending substitute bill be passed
lower
Mar 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee Report recommending substitute bill be passed by House Committee on Federal and State Affairs
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Committee
Referred to House Committee on Federal and State Affairs
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Introduced
Received and Introduced
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea 36, Nay 4
upper
Feb 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
upper
Feb 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
upper
Feb 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Committee
Referred to Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Introduced
Introduced
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
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