HB 2470 allows Kansas municipalities with fewer than 10,000 residents to designate their entire city as a neighborhood revitalization area under the state's revitalization program. This change removes ambiguity in current law, enabling small towns to apply revitalization incentives - like tax credits or development assistance - to all properties within their borders. The bill directly affects small municipalities seeking to address neighborhood decline through comprehensive economic development. It amends the Kansas Neighborhood Revitalization Act to explicitly permit whole-municipality designations, streamlining the process for communities focused on improving public health, safety, and welfare through neighborhood renewal.
HB 2600 establishes the "Affordable Healthcare for Kansans" program to expand Medicaid eligibility in Kansas. It would extend coverage to non-pregnant adults under 65 with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level, directly affecting low-income Kansans currently ineligible for Medicaid. The key provision raises the income threshold for Medicaid eligibility to match the federal standard, effective January 1, 2027. This change requires the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to administer the program and inform potential applicants. The bill aims to align Kansas Medicaid eligibility with the federal expansion program under federal law.
SB 389 would remove sales tax from feminine hygiene products, diapers, and incontinence products sold in Kansas. This change directly affects consumers who purchase these essential items, making them less expensive at the point of sale. The bill amends Kansas tax code (K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 79-3606) to add these products to the list of items already exempt from state sales tax. The policy change is purely procedural, updating the tax exemption list without altering other tax rules.
HB 2457, pending in Kansas, has two main provisions. First, it caps property taxes for homeowners aged 65+ who occupy their primary residence (homestead property) at the tax amount from their "base year" (the year they turned 65 or 2026 for those already older), requiring annual application by April 1. Second, it eliminates property tax exemptions for certain 501(c)(3) healthcare facilities (like clinics or hospitals) that compete with non-exempt providers in the same or adjacent county. The bill would apply to tax years starting after December 31, 2026, if passed. It modifies Kansas tax code sections related to homestead exemptions and healthcare property tax eligibility.
HB 2543 requires Kansas to annually reimburse the Department of Wildlife and Parks for revenue lost when new free or discounted hunting/fishing licenses, permits, or passes are created by law on or after July 1, 2027. The department must track these lost revenues, certify the amount by June 30 each year, and the state must transfer funds from the general budget to the wildlife fee fund. This applies only to licenses established by new legislation after 2027, not existing discounts. The accounting is subject to audit by the state treasurer.
This bill removes the requirement for hunters to sign across the face of migratory waterfowl stamps. It increases the maximum fee for nonresident migratory waterfowl stamps from $8 to $100 (while keeping resident fees at $25). The change directly affects nonresident hunters who purchase these stamps for waterfowl hunting in Kansas. The bill repeals the previous signature requirement and fee structure in the state code.
SB 402 modifies Kansas homestead property tax refund and SAFESR tax credit rules to better support seniors and homeowners. It establishes a fixed household income threshold ($25,380 for 2026+) for SAFESR eligibility instead of using federal poverty levels, prevents loss of eligibility if a homestead's appraised value later exceeds $350,000 after qualifying, and adds an exception for claimants forced to live away from their homestead due to health or hardship. The bill also standardizes the refund claim process by requiring a single form for all homestead tax refund claims. This directly affects Kansas residents aged 65+ who own and occupy their primary residence and qualify for these tax benefits.
SB 368 would allow Kansas residents who are members of qualifying health care sharing ministries to deduct their membership expenses (including contributions and administrative fees) from their Kansas state income tax. It also ensures that money received from these ministries for medical expenses isn't treated as taxable income in Kansas. To qualify, residents must be members for at least one month during the tax year, and the deduction only applies to amounts not already deducted on their federal tax return. The bill creates this tax benefit for Kansas residents using these specific nonprofit health-sharing organizations, which operate under federal tax-exempt status and require members to share medical costs voluntarily. The law would take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.
HB 2602 establishes a portable benefit plan system for independent contractors in Kansas, directly affecting contractors (e.g., app-based workers) and hiring companies. The bill requires third-party providers (like banks or investment firms) to offer plans covering health, retirement, disability, or life insurance, with contributions allowed from contractors, hiring parties, or voluntary withholdings from contractor pay. Kansas income tax law would allow a subtraction modification for these contributions, reducing taxable income. The bill is currently in committee review (introduced January 2026, referred to Insurance Committee) and does not change employment classification rules.
SB 332 modifies Kansas property tax rules by excluding buyer's premiums paid to auctioneers (not sellers) from the sale price used for property tax valuation and the real estate sales validation questionnaire. This directly affects homeowners who purchase property at auction, as it prevents auction fees from increasing their taxable property value. The bill clarifies that premiums must be separately stated in writing and paid directly to the auction company, not the seller, to qualify for exclusion. This change ensures auction purchase prices reflect only the actual property cost for tax assessment purposes, without including additional buyer fees. The law takes effect upon publication in the statute book.
