Rep. Lauren Bohi

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges the Kansas Turnpike Authority to waive tolls for personal vehicles displaying special license plates that recognize military service, injury, or valor. The bill specifically targets drivers holding plates for disabled veterans, prisoners of war, Purple Hearts, Medal of Honor recipients, and other qualifying military honors. It proposes that the Turnpike Authority modify its existing cashless tolling system to automatically exempt these vehicles from fees. The resolution cites similar toll exemption laws in Oklahoma, California, and Texas as examples of other states providing such benefits to veterans.

Maddy summaryHB 2637 requires Kansas school districts that qualify under federal guidelines (where at least 40% of students are eligible for free school meals) to consider joining the federal Community Eligibility Provision, which allows all students in a school to receive free meals without individual applications. School boards must vote to participate if eligible, but can opt out by demonstrating financial hardship at a public meeting. The Kansas State Department of Education must provide assistance to districts seeking to join the program. This directly affects school districts with high poverty rates, enabling them to simplify meal access while offering a financial hardship exception.

Maddy summaryHB 2687 prohibits state and local government agencies from regulating or banning the takeoff, landing, or operation of aquatic aircraft (like seaplanes and floatplanes) on Kansas waters where vessels are permitted. It specifically blocks agencies from requiring permits, fees, or imposing restrictions on these aircraft operations. The bill directly affects aquatic aircraft operators and owners by removing regulatory barriers on state waters. This policy change ensures that such aircraft are not subject to the same permitting requirements as traditional vessels.

Maddy summaryThis Kansas bill (HB 2707) expands the definition of "abuse" under the Protection from Abuse Act to include intentionally harming, threatening, or causing injury to a pet to control, punish, intimidate, or distress a partner or household member. It also allows courts to include specific orders about pet custody and protection in existing protection orders. The bill directly affects individuals in abusive relationships where pets are used as tools of control, such as when an abuser threatens or harms a pet to coerce a victim. Key mechanisms include adding new provisions to the law defining abuse (Section 1) and creating specific court orders for pet-related safety (Sections 10-11 of K.S.A. 60-3107).

Maddy summaryHB 2670 requires video streaming services operating in Kansas to ensure commercial advertisements are not louder than the main video content they interrupt, effective July 1, 2026. It adopts the federal CALM Act standards (originally for TV broadcasts) to set volume limits for ads. The law applies specifically to internet-based streaming services targeting Kansas consumers, excluding cable operators, broadcasters, and ad-free platforms. It does not create private lawsuits for violations.

Maddy summaryHB 2674, the PFAS Protection Act, prohibits the sale in Kansas of certain consumer products containing intentionally added PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), including carpets, cookware, cosmetics, feminine hygiene products, firefighting foam, and children's items. It directly affects manufacturers and sellers of these products within Kansas by banning PFAS in their formulations and requiring them to disclose PFAS content and conduct product testing. Key mechanisms include a statewide prohibition on intentionally added PFAS in covered products, mandatory disclosure of PFAS information to the Department of Health and Environment, and testing requirements for products sold in the state. The bill excludes medical devices, federally regulated products, and used items, focusing on everyday consumer goods where PFAS are deliberately added for function.

Maddy summaryHB 2675 creates a 13-member Kansas-Italy Trade Commission to strengthen economic ties between Kansas and Italy. The commission includes legislative leaders, business representatives (from Kansas industries, trade groups, or Italian-American communities), and the Commerce Secretary, with members appointed by state officials. It will promote trade, investment, business exchanges, and joint economic initiatives through annual reports to the governor and legislature, and by accepting private donations into a dedicated fund. The commission must hold public quarterly meetings and focus on concrete opportunities for mutual economic growth between Kansas businesses and Italian partners.

Maddy summaryHB 2688 prevents courts from enforcing nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) in legal disputes involving childhood sexual abuse or human trafficking allegations. It directly affects victims, abusers, and traffickers in civil cases by voiding NDAs that would otherwise silence victims or conceal wrongdoing. The law applies to NDAs signed on or after July 1, 2026, though agreements made before that date may still be enforced if a court issues a final declaration of enforceability. This policy change ensures victims cannot be legally barred from speaking about abuse or trafficking incidents in related legal proceedings.

Maddy summaryHB 2599, known as the "Kansas lemonade stand law," exempts minor-owned businesses (operated solely by individuals under 18) from paying state sales tax and local taxes, licenses, or permits on the first $10,000 of annual sales of goods. It specifically applies to small, seasonal or intermittent businesses like lemonade stands, where minors make under $10,000 yearly in gross sales. The law removes both state-level sales tax obligations and local government fees for qualifying businesses. This policy directly supports young entrepreneurs by reducing startup costs for small-scale, temporary ventures.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific segment of K-5 highway in Wyandotte County (from the junction of K-5 and N. 18th Street west to N. 38th Street) as the "Representative Marvin S. Robinson II Memorial Highway." It also redesignates a portion of Interstate 635 (from the Kansas-Missouri border south to its junction with K-5 highway) as the "Harry Darby Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Kansas Secretary of Transportation to install highway signs marking both routes, following standard procedures. This is a procedural memorial designation with no substantive policy changes to transportation law.