SB 217 increases the property tax exemption for residential homeowners in Kansas. It raises the exempt value from $75,000 to $125,000 of a home's appraised value for the statewide school levy. This means homeowners pay property tax only on the value exceeding $125,000, reducing their tax burden. The change applies to all taxable years starting in 2024 and beyond.
HB 2348 clarifies that faculty tenure at Kansas public colleges and universities is not a guaranteed right or legal entitlement to continued employment. It states that institutions may grant tenure as a discretionary benefit, but it cannot be interpreted as creating a property interest in current or future jobs. Tenure-related benefits, processes, or preferences can be changed, limited, or revoked at any time by the institution or the state board of regents. This applies to teaching and research faculty (excluding those with employment contracts) at public postsecondary institutions. The bill does not affect constitutionally protected rights or eliminate tenure as a practice, only its legal characterization.
SB 281 ends Kansas' low-income family postsecondary savings program after 2027 by removing the treasurer's authority to accept new applications starting in 2028. It reduces the annual grant cap from 1,200 to 1,000 applications per year (for 2025-2027) and eliminates all future audits of withdrawals after 2027. The bill directly affects low-income Kansas families (with household income ≤200% of federal poverty level) who previously qualified for state-matched savings grants. Key changes include halting new enrollments after 2027, lowering annual grant limits, and ending the requirement for retrospective audits of withdrawals.
HB 2278 increases the property tax exemption for residential property owners in Kansas. Starting in 2026, the exemption rises from $75,000 to $110,000 of a home's appraised value, reducing the taxable amount for eligible homeowners. Beginning in 2027, the exemption amount will adjust annually based on the 10-year average change in statewide residential property values (capped at zero if values decline). This bill directly affects Kansas homeowners with residential properties, lowering their school property tax burden under the statewide school levy.
HB 2141 requires Kansas school districts to adopt policies allowing parents to object to educational materials or activities not in the approved curriculum or that conflict with their sincerely held beliefs, values, or principles. Parents may withdraw their child from a class or activity without academic penalty, and schools must provide alternative assignments or accommodations. The bill specifies that exemptions do not excuse students from completing required coursework or graduation credits. It applies to all public school districts in Kansas and defines "educational materials" broadly to include textbooks, digital content, and videos, while excluding student presentations.
SB 75 creates an income tax credit for Kansas taxpayers with dependent children enrolled in private schools instead of public school. It provides $8,000 per child for accredited private schools or $4,000 for non-accredited private schools, directly affecting families choosing private education. The credit is capped at $125 million for 2025, with annual adjustments based on prior year usage, and prioritizes taxpayers who received the credit previously. Taxpayers must provide Social Security numbers for children and cannot claim the credit if their child received a scholarship under another program. Excess credit amounts are refunded if they exceed tax liability.
HB 2011 lowers the property tax rate for Kansas school districts from 20 mills to 18.5 mills for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years, and establishes a new formula to maintain revenue levels starting in 2026-2027 based on current property valuations. It directly affects residential property owners by increasing their exemption from the statewide school levy, reducing their taxable property value. The bill also requires school districts to remit all tax proceeds (except for specific bond payments) to the state school district finance fund. These changes aim to reduce local tax burdens while maintaining funding stability for public schools.
HB 2104 requires Kansas school districts to use state-established curriculum guidelines for firearm safety education programs if they choose to offer them. It mandates specific, age-appropriate programs: kindergarten through fifth grade must use the NRA's Eddie Eagle Gunsafe program, sixth through eighth grade may choose between Eddie Eagle or the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks' Hunter Education in Our Schools program, and ninth through twelfth grade must use Hunter Education in Our Schools. The bill standardizes these offerings across districts to ensure consistent safety education on firearm accident prevention and response. School districts are not required to implement these programs but must follow the state guidelines if they do. The law takes effect upon publication in the statutes.
SB 275 requires Kansas public school districts to include a specific fetal development presentation in any course covering human growth, development, or sexuality. The presentation must be a 3-minute computer animation or ultrasound showing early brain, heart, and organ development. This mandate applies directly to all K-12 school districts offering these courses, requiring them to add this content to their curriculum. The bill does not alter existing course content but adds this specific requirement for all affected classes.
HB 2186 requires Kansas school districts to adopt policies banning student use of personal electronic devices (like phones or tablets) during all school hours, including class time and passing periods, with limited exceptions for students with IEPs/504 plans, teacher-approved educational use, or health/emergency needs. It also mandates policies prohibiting students from accessing social media platforms on school-issued computers or devices. The bill directly affects all public school students and requires school boards to establish clear disciplinary consequences for violations. Key mechanisms include defining "privately owned devices" and "social media platforms" to ensure consistent implementation. The law takes effect upon publication in the statute book.
