This bill proposes adding a new provision to the Kansas Constitution to restrict how public money is used for K-12 education. Specifically, it would limit state funds to secular public schools and explicitly ban the use of any public money to aid or maintain private nonpublic schools. The measure requires a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers to pass and would then be placed on the ballot for voters to approve or reject in 2026. If passed, the change would legally prevent the state from directing taxpayer dollars toward private educational institutions.
SB 515 allows Kansas nonpublic schools to permit students enrolled in nonaccredited private elementary or secondary schools to participate in school activities like sports, clubs, and events. To qualify, students must be Kansas residents, meet age and eligibility requirements set by the activities association, and pay any fees required of all participants. The bill prohibits nonpublic schools from denying participation based on a student's enrollment status in a nonaccredited school and ensures these students have the same rights and responsibilities as other participants. This policy change removes barriers for nonaccredited private school students seeking to join extracurricular activities at nonpublic schools.
HB 2680 renames Kansas' low-income student scholarship program to the "Kansas K-12 Students Scholarship Program" and expands eligibility to include students identified by scholarship organizations as having financial need, not just those meeting income thresholds (250% of federal poverty guidelines). The bill increases the annual scholarship limit to $8,000 per student and transfers program administration from the Department of Revenue to the State Treasurer. It also adds requirements for scholarship organizations, including financial reporting and bonding for larger contributions. The changes aim to broaden access to private school funding while centralizing oversight under the State Treasurer's office.
HB 2628 creates a refundable Kansas income tax credit for residents paying tuition and fees at eligible colleges or universities. It allows qualifying taxpayers to claim up to $300 per year toward these costs for themselves or their child, with any unused portion refunded if the credit exceeds their tax bill. The credit applies to Kansas residents who paid for attendance at institutions meeting state-defined standards under K.S.A. 72-3222. This policy directly supports families and individuals covering higher education expenses, making the credit accessible even if they owe no state income tax.
Kansas would join a federal tax credit program allowing individual taxpayers to deduct contributions to scholarship organizations supporting low-income students. The bill increases the tax credit percentage from 70% to 75% for contributions made after 2022 and raises the state's annual credit limit from $10 million to $20 million (with a potential maximum of $30 million). If credits claimed approach 75% of the annual limit, the cap automatically increases for the next year. This directly affects Kansas residents who donate to qualifying scholarship organizations, providing a larger tax incentive for such contributions.
SB 361 would allow foreign exchange students residing with host families to enroll in and attend their host family’s school district as if they were residents, exempting them from the district’s open-seat lottery process. It directly affects these students by guaranteeing enrollment without competing for available spots in the lottery system. The key provision amends Kansas law (K.S.A. 72-3123) to explicitly include foreign exchange students in the exemption, aligning them with other priority groups like military students or siblings. This change applies starting with the 2024-2025 school year.
SB 386 allows Kansas taxpayers to claim a state tax credit for donations to scholarship-granting organizations that serve low-income students. It increases the credit rate from 70% to 75% of contributions for tax years after 2022 and raises the annual spending cap from $10 million to $20 million (with a potential maximum of $30 million). The bill also establishes a mechanism to automatically increase the cap by 25% if 75% of the current cap is reached in a given year. This directly affects donors - such as businesses, banks, and individuals - who contribute to eligible scholarship organizations in Kansas.
HB 2156 creates an income tax credit for Kansas taxpayers with dependent children not enrolled in public school. It provides $8,000 per child for enrollment in accredited private schools (or working toward accreditation) and $4,000 for nonaccredited private schools. The credit is capped at $125 million for 2025, with annual adjustments based on prior-year usage, and prioritizes previous recipients if demand exceeds funding. Taxpayers must provide children's Social Security numbers, cannot claim the credit if children receive low-income scholarships, and may receive refunds for excess credit over tax liability.
HB 2136 expands eligibility for Kansas' tax credit scholarship program by removing the requirement that students must have previously attended a public school. It increases the tax credit amount for donations to the program and adds new limits on total credits. The bill directly affects low-income students (including those in foster care, military families, or with first-responder parents) and donors who contribute to scholarship organizations. This change allows more students to access private school scholarships through tax-credit donations, without the prior public school enrollment barrier.
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.
