Kansas Bills

This bill authorizes the Kansas Secretary of Corrections to transfer specific real property in Leavenworth County to the county government without payment. The property includes various blocks in the Town of Delaware, along with any improvements and vacated streets on those blocks. The transfer will be executed through a quitclaim deed and requires approval from the state attorney general before it can be finalized. Leavenworth County will be responsible for covering all costs associated with the conveyance process.

This bill authorizes the Kansas governor to declare a need for enhanced security during large-scale extraordinary events like the World Cup, Olympics, or Super Bowl that could strain local resources. When such a declaration is made, it activates state disaster plans and grants the governor authority to use state resources, reassign personnel, and coordinate assistance from local and federal agencies. The declaration can last up to 15 days and may be extended by the legislative coordinating council for up to 150 days, with provisions expiring on July 1, 2027.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Kansas that would explicitly state men and women possess equal natural rights starting from conception. The key provision adds the phrase "life from conception" to the state's existing equal rights clause in the bill of rights. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters in the 2026 general election, it would permanently update the state constitution to define the beginning of protected rights at conception.

This bill proposes to add a property tax exemption for seniors in Kansas, specifically targeting homeowners aged 60 or older who live in their primary residence. The key provision would exempt this residential property from all school district property tax levies, while other taxes on the property would remain unchanged. This change is designed to reduce the financial burden of school taxes on older Kansans without altering the overall property tax structure for other groups.

SB 536 changes how Kansas taxpayers can benefit from the High Performance Tax Credit Program by converting the existing income tax credit into a direct rebate payment. The bill applies to businesses investing in qualified facilities located outside of metropolitan counties and establishes specific rebate amounts based on the number of jobs created and the size of the investment. Under the new rules, businesses in nonmetropolitan regions receive $2,500 per job plus $1,000 for every $100,000 invested, while other qualifying businesses receive $1,500 per job plus the same investment bonus. The legislation also sets a maximum cap on the rebate amount and ends eligibility for new investments starting January 1, 2027.

This bill creates a new exemption process for correctional facilities and their contractors regarding rules on handling explosive materials. It allows the state fire marshal to issue three-year certificates that exempt these entities from certain acquisition, transportation, and use regulations for explosives needed in correctional operations. To qualify, correctional authorities must prove they are licensed to possess explosives under federal law and submit documentation of their correctional activities. The exemption does not cover storage, recordkeeping, or permitting requirements, which remain under standard rules. This change applies to state, federal, or local agencies running correctional facilities, as well as private businesses that contract directly with them and operate such facilities in Kansas.

This bill clarifies the authority of county sheriffs in Kansas to detain individuals based on immigration detainer requests from federal immigration authorities, specifying the documentation required to justify such detentions. It requires municipal insurance pools to provide liability coverage for local law enforcement officers who enforce federal immigration laws, regardless of whether they are formally deputized by federal agencies. The legislation also mandates that the state attorney general provide legal representation to local law enforcement agencies in federal civil or habeas corpus actions related to immigration enforcement and exempts certain federal immigration cooperation agreements from specific provisions of the state's interlocal cooperation act. Additionally, the bill establishes that the state will pay certain court judgment costs if federal authorities fail to cover them in cases where local officers acted in good faith while enforcing immigration detainers.

This bill prohibits the development or operation of new large load data centers in Kansas counties that have experienced a drought emergency within the last three years. It directly affects county governments, which would be required to deny applications for such facilities during the three-year period following a drought declaration. The law defines a large load data center as a facility with a monthly electrical demand of 10 megawatts or more and allows counties to issue moratoriums on these projects until the three-year period ends. Existing data centers authorized or permitted before July 1, 2026, are exempt from these restrictions, and the bill does not prevent local governments from adopting even stricter land use regulations.

This bill prohibits drivers from using mobile phones without hands-free devices while operating vehicles in school zones or construction zones where workers are present. It applies to all drivers except law enforcement and emergency personnel, those safely stopped, or those using hands-free equipment. The law includes exceptions for reporting crimes, preventing injuries, summoning emergency help, and certain professional communications. Violations will result in warning citations that expire on July 1, 2027, and police cannot confiscate phones without consent except under specific legal conditions.

This bill would allow cash transactions in Kansas to be rounded to the nearest nickel when the exact amount cannot be paid or given as change. It directly affects businesses and consumers making purchases with physical currency, while leaving noncash payments like credit cards and checks unchanged. The law specifies that amounts under five cents round up to five cents, and amounts ending in 1, 2, 6, or 7 cents round down, while those ending in 3, 4, 8, or 9 cents round up. Importantly, the rounding applies only to the payment amount and does not change the sales price, tax owed, or any fees associated with the transaction. Businesses must apply these rounding rules consistently and transparently at the point of sale.

This bill would change eligibility rules for Kansas county commissioners by removing the current prohibition that prevents individuals holding other elected offices in the same county from serving as commissioners. Currently, state law bars anyone holding elected state, county, township, or city office from also serving as a county commissioner in the same county, but this bill would amend that restriction to allow such dual service. The legislation also clarifies that county commissioners can be appointed to state boards and commissions without additional compensation beyond what is already provided by law, and permits commissioners to volunteer with emergency medical services, ambulance services, or fire departments while receiving standard volunteer pay. This change would directly affect county commissioners, other elected officials, and state agencies that rely on commissioner appointments.

This bill requires anyone appearing before a Kansas legislative committee to take an oath before giving testimony. The chairperson of each committee would be responsible for administering the oath and recording it in the official minutes. This change applies to all witnesses, including experts, citizens, and officials who testify during committee hearings. The law takes effect once it is published in the state statute book.