HB 2214, the SAVE Act, limits fees charged by non-governmental advocates helping veterans navigate benefits claims. It prohibits upfront or nonrefundable fees and caps compensation at five times the monthly benefit increase if a claim succeeds. The bill requires written agreements, mandates specific disclosures that the service isn't affiliated with the VA or free government programs, and bans guarantees of specific benefits. It also includes data privacy rules for advocates handling veterans' personal information, such as requiring criminal background checks for staff accessing medical or financial data. The law applies to individuals or businesses charging for veterans benefits assistance, excluding VA-accredited representatives.
SB 46, the Blind Information Access Act, requires the Kansas state library to provide on-demand digital information services (including books, news, and emergency alerts) via audio, text, and braille to residents who are blind, visually impaired, deafblind, or print-disabled. It mandates the state librarian to contract with a service provider and establish a dedicated funding stream by transferring annual amounts from the Kansas Universal Service Fund to a new "Blind Information Access Fund." The bill specifies that these services must cover Kansas publications, national content, and real-time emergency alerts, with funding secured through existing telecommunications user fees. This creates a permanent, state-funded mechanism for accessible information without new tax obligations.
SB 52 creates tax incentives to attract film, video, and digital media productions to Kansas. It provides an income tax credit and sales tax exemption for productions spending at least $50,000 in the state, requiring at least 10% of crew to be Kansas residents and excluding news, local ads, or non-commercial projects. The Secretary of Commerce administers the program, verifying eligibility and issuing annual reports to the legislature. This directly affects producers of eligible content like feature films, TV series, and video games meeting the spending and residency criteria.
HB 2244 modifies Kansas' pharmacy board composition and prohibits the board from restricting telepharmacy use. It requires the board to include three pharmacist types (community, chain pharmacy, specialty/mail-order) plus a public member, and explicitly bans rules limiting telepharmacy based on population, distance from physical pharmacies, or network adequacy. The bill defines telepharmacy as remote pharmacist services using technology for real-time patient care and counseling at registered locations. These changes directly affect pharmacists, telepharmacy providers, and patients seeking remote pharmacy services across Kansas.
HB 2309 requires all notaries public in Kansas to use a 3D biometric authentication system (verifying identity via facial features with liveness detection) for real estate document notarizations by December 31, 2026. It directly affects notaries, county registers of deeds, and anyone submitting real estate documents like deeds, mortgages, or power of attorney. The bill mandates counties to implement protocols for this system and grants registers of deeds authority to delay filing suspected fraudulent documents for investigation. This modernizes notarization to prevent fraud, replacing current identity verification methods with mandatory biometric technology for all real estate-related documents.
HB 2180, the Blind Information Access Act, requires Kansas' state library to provide on-demand digital information access services (via audio, electronic text, and braille) to individuals who are blind, visually impaired, deafblind, or print disabled. Key provisions mandate the state librarian to contract with a service provider for these resources - including Kansas publications, news, and emergency alerts - and fund the program by transferring money annually from the Kansas Universal Service Fund to a new "Blind Information Access Fund." The bill also requires the state librarian to report annual cost estimates to the legislature and establish a dedicated fund managed by the state treasurer for these services. This legislation directly affects eligible residents with visual or print disabilities by expanding their access to digital information through state-funded services.
HB 2191 allows Kansas cities, counties, and school districts to designate specific websites as official platforms for publishing required legal notices, instead of (or in addition to) newspapers. The bill amends Kansas statutes to require that any legal notice published on a designated website must meet the same timing, frequency, and geographic coverage standards as newspaper publications. It specifies that governing bodies must select websites meeting accessibility and circulation criteria, and does not change existing requirements for dual newspaper-and-website publication where currently mandated. This bill directly affects local governments responsible for legal notices and publishers providing these notices.
HB 2235 integrates the Technology-Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institutions (TEFFI) Act into Kansas’ state banking code, directly affecting TEFFIs - digital financial institutions managing alternative assets like private equity funds. Key changes include reducing TEFFI charter application fees, requiring reports to the state bank commissioner, allowing digital certificates for asset ownership, and expanding the TEFFI income tax credit to include Kansas nonprofit corporations as qualified charities. The bill clarifies definitions for terms like "alternative asset custody account" and specifies that TEFFIs will be supervised by the state bank commissioner. These provisions aim to modernize regulatory oversight while streamlining operations for TEFFIs and supporting charitable giving through tax incentives.
HB 2118 requires private companies that charge fees to help consumers file or retrieve government documents (like birth certificates or business filings) to provide clear, upfront notices. Specifically, these companies must include a prominent disclaimer stating "This is not a government offer" in large text, provide their physical address (not a PO box), and list how consumers can access government services directly. Violating these requirements would be treated as a deceptive practice under Kansas consumer law, subject to penalties. The bill targets misleading advertising practices, ensuring consumers aren’t confused into thinking they’re dealing with government offices when using private services.
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Consumer Protection
SB 98 creates a special Route 66 association of Kansas license plate for eligible vehicles (passenger cars and trucks under 20,000 lbs gross weight) owned or leased by Kansas residents. It requires an annual $25-$100 fee to the Route 66 Association (paid to county treasurers) for the plate and its renewal, with the plate being non-transferable and tied to the vehicle registration. Applicants must consent to sharing limited registration details (name, address, plate number) with the association and state treasurer. This is a procedural bill focused on commemorative licensing, not substantive policy.
