Budget & Taxes

signed · Kansas · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2622: Modifying the municipal lease-purchase protest petition requirements.

HB 2622 modifies requirements for municipal lease-purchase agreements in Kansas, primarily affecting cities and towns entering long-term leases for land or buildings. It requires voter approval via petition if payments exceed 3% of a municipality’s annual budget (excluding debt service) for non-county entities, or $100,000 annually for counties/schools, after a 5% voter petition is filed within 30 days of public notice. The bill mandates that agreements specify cash purchase costs, interest rates, and non-capital charges, and repeals prior provisions. This gives voters a direct role in approving significant lease deals that impact local budgets.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires voter approval for municipal leases exceeding 3% of budget, promoting fiscal accountability and responsible spending management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds

signed · Kansas · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 435: Providing procedures, standards and requirements for the deposit and investment of public moneys, creating the public moneys fee fund and authorizing the state treasurer to assess a fee to operate the public moneys pooled method, making and concerning appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for the office of the state treasurer, authorizing a certain transfer from the state general fund to the public moneys fee fund, modifying investment standards for the board of trustees of the Kansas public employees retirement system of moneys certified by the state treasurer as equivalent to the aggregate net amount received for unclaimed property and authorizing investments in certain foreign governments and the KPERS board of trustees to elect the vice chairperson of the board, requiring newly affiliated KP&F employers to contribute at the actuarial required rate for past and future service and repealing certain working after retirement statutes for state and local elected officials.

SB 435 allows the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) board to elect its own vice chairperson, replacing the prior process where the position was appointed by the governor or legislative leaders. It requires new employers joining the Kansas Police and Firemen's Retirement System (KP&F) to pay the full actuarial rate for both past and future pension service, ensuring the system remains financially stable. The bill also repeals existing rules that permitted state and local elected officials to work after retirement without reducing their pension benefits. These changes directly affect KPERS board members, new KP&F employers, and state/local elected officials.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates full actuarial contributions from new KP&F employers to ensure pension system financial stability, directly promoting fiscal responsibility in retirement funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions State Budget

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2632: Increasing the household income and appraised value thresholds for eligibility of seniors and disabled veterans.

HB 2632 raises eligibility thresholds for Kansas seniors (65+) and disabled veterans to qualify for property tax refunds. It increases the household income limit from $50,000 to $75,000 and the homestead appraised value limit from $350,000 to $500,000 for tax years starting in 2026. The bill also adds an automatic cost-of-living adjustment to the income threshold each year. This change directly affects more Kansas residents aged 65+ or disabled veterans who previously earned too much or owned homes exceeding the old value limits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax refund eligibility for seniors/disabled veterans by increasing income/value thresholds, providing targeted tax relief to lower/middle-income groups.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands property tax refund eligibility for disabled veterans by raising income/value thresholds and adding cost-of-living adjustments, directly advancing financial support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tags Seniors

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2783: Increasing the tax on electronic cigarettes and crediting the revenue to the children's initiative fund.

HB 2783 increases the tax on electronic cigarettes from $0.05 to $0.15 per milliliter of consumable liquid (the solution used in e-cigarettes) sold or distributed in Kansas. This tax applies to distributors and retailers who sell e-cigarettes, with the increased revenue directly credited to the Children's Initiative Fund (as established under K.S.A. 38-2102). The bill amends Kansas statutes 79-3387 and 79-3399 to implement this tax rate change and redirect funds to the designated children's fund, replacing previous revenue allocations for tobacco regulation. It does not change how the tax is collected but specifies where the additional revenue must go.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases e-cigarette tax to fund Children's Initiative Fund, aligning with fiscal responsibility and program funding per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2712: Increasing the authority for a countywide retailers' sales tax and providing for the dedicated apportionment of special purpose tax revenues up to 2%, limiting special purpose city and countywide retailers' sales taxes to 10 years and requiring certain reporting to the department of revenue for administration of such tax.

HB 2712 amends Kansas law to allow counties to impose a new countywide retailers' sales tax for specific projects, with revenue dedicated to those projects and capped at 2% of the tax base. It limits special purpose sales taxes to a maximum 10-year duration, requiring counties to use funds only for approved projects like courthouses, jails, or infrastructure. The bill affects Kansas counties seeking to fund capital projects through this tax method, updating existing statutes to clarify voter approval processes and revenue restrictions. It does not change existing tax rates but establishes new rules for future countywide sales tax initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables counties to fund infrastructure via dedicated 2% sales tax, promoting fiscal responsibility with project-specific revenue allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2621: Providing a property tax exemption for real property owned by a not-for-profit organization and used to provide affordable housing.

HB 2621 would create a new property tax exemption in Kansas for real estate owned by nonprofit organizations that provide affordable housing. This exemption would be added to Kansas tax law (K.S.A. 79-201), specifically applying to properties used exclusively for housing meeting state affordability standards. It directly affects nonprofits developing or managing affordable housing projects by eliminating their property tax burden on qualifying properties. The bill amends existing tax exemption categories, which currently include religious buildings and schools, to include affordable housing nonprofits. This policy change would reduce operating costs for qualifying housing developments without altering current affordability definitions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for nonprofits providing affordable housing, reducing their tax burden and supporting housing affordability programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill eliminates property tax burden for nonprofits providing affordable housing, directly advancing housing development and affordability under state standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 471: Increasing the Kansas minimum wage to $16 an hour and making such minimum wage applicable to employers and employees covered under the provisions of the federal fair labor standards act.

SB 471 would raise Kansas' minimum wage to $16 per hour for workers already covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), such as most hourly employees in retail, hospitality, and service industries. It amends Kansas law to set this new $16 hourly rate as the minimum for employers and employees subject to federal wage rules, replacing the current $7.25 rate. The bill specifically targets workers who fall under federal FLSA protections, ensuring Kansas' minimum wage aligns with and exceeds the federal standard for these employees. It repeals the existing state minimum wage provisions and takes effect upon publication in the statute book.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRaises minimum wage for FLSA-covered workers, reducing reliance on public assistance programs and promoting fiscal responsibility by decreasing state spending on social services.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases minimum wage from $7.25 to $16/hour for FLSA-covered workers, directly advancing wage standards and worker compensation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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signed · Kansas · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2644: Requiring a county appraiser to adjust the value of personal property mobile homes, residential and commercial property upon final determination or obtain a fee simple appraisal if the appraised value exceeds 5% increase over five years.

HB 2644 requires Kansas county appraisers to adjust property values or obtain an independent appraisal if residential or commercial property values increase by more than 5% annually for five years following a successful valuation appeal. It directly affects property owners who previously won appeals reducing their assessed value, particularly those with appeals finalized on or after January 1, 2026. The key mechanism gives appraisers two options: adjust values based on the prior appeal’s evidence or order a new appraisal by a certified appraiser. This applies only to increases not caused by new construction, changes in use, or classification. The bill aims to prevent excessive annual value jumps after appeal-driven reductions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill prevents excessive property value increases (affecting tax burden) for owners with prior successful appeals, providing indirect tax relief by limiting annual valuation hikes beyond 5%.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 489: Providing for a universal homestead exemption from ad valorem property taxation.

SB 489 creates a universal homestead exemption in Kansas, effective January 1, 2028, that exempts the first $10,000 of a property’s appraised value from all local property taxes for homeowners who occupy the property as their primary residence. It applies to all qualifying homesteads (dwelling + up to 160 acres) and requires new homeowners to submit a declaration at closing (by July 1, 2027) or file directly with the county appraiser, certifying the property is their sole primary residence. This exemption is in addition to existing benefits like the school finance levy exemption and homestead tax refunds. It directly affects Kansas homeowners by reducing their property tax burden without replacing other existing tax relief programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for primary residences, reducing tax burden on homeowners, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts primary residence property taxes, reducing costs for homeowners and increasing housing affordability for qualifying residents.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2645: Extending the tax credit for certain contributions to community colleges and technical colleges for capital improvements, deferred maintenance or the purchase of technology or equipment.

HB 2645 extends a 60% tax credit for Kansas businesses and individuals who donate to community colleges or technical colleges for capital improvements, deferred maintenance, or technology/equipment purchases. The credit applies to contributions made between 2022 and 2031, allowing donors to reduce their state income tax liability by up to 60% of qualifying donations. Funds must be deposited into designated capital outlay or maintenance funds at the institutions, with strict rules ensuring they support specific infrastructure needs rather than new construction. This policy directly affects taxpayers who make eligible contributions to participating Kansas community colleges and technical colleges.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends 60% tax credit for donations to community colleges, reducing state tax liability while funding public education capital projects.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends 60% tax credit for donations to community colleges for capital improvements, technology, and maintenance, directly funding higher education infrastructure and resources.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly provides tax credit for technology/equipment purchases at community colleges, directly funding tech infrastructure investments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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