Sen. Mike Thompson

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to limit how much the assessed value of residential real property and mobile homes can increase each year in Kansas. The amendment would cap annual increases for these property types at 1.5% of their value, starting from January 1, 2027. This change directly affects homeowners and mobile home owners by restricting how their property tax bases can grow over time. The bill requires a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers and would be submitted to voters for approval before taking effect.

Maddy summarySB 314 prohibits state and local government employees from using public resources - including public funds, vehicles, equipment, or work time - to support or oppose state constitutional amendments or ballot measures. It directly affects all state and municipal employees, banning them from advocating for or against these issues during work hours or using government property for such purposes. Key exceptions include incumbents campaigning for re-election, personal staff of elected officials, judicial commission duties, and the use of internet connectivity by candidates. The bill amends Kansas law to clarify these restrictions while maintaining existing rules for campaign activities. Violations would be classified as a class C misdemeanor.

Maddy summarySB 302 requires Kansas public and nonpublic K-12 schools to ban student use of personal electronic devices (like phones, tablets, or smartwatches) during instructional time, with exceptions for students with individualized education plans (IEPs) or medical needs approved by a physician. It also prohibits school staff from using social media platforms (such as Instagram or TikTok) to directly message students for official school business, allowing only public, one-way communications on approved platforms. Schools must adopt written policies by 2026 and certify compliance by September 1, 2026, covering enforcement procedures and student device storage requirements. The law applies to all on-campus instructional time but excludes virtual schools.

Maddy summarySB 304, the "Born to Invest Act," requires Kansas' Office of Vital Statistics to share specific birth records (child's name, parent/guardian address, birth date) for children born on or after January 1, 2025, with the State Treasurer. This data enables the Treasurer to send informational materials about three federal savings programs: 529 college savings plans, ABLE accounts for disabilities, and "Trump accounts" (a reference to a specific federal savings program). The bill mandates that data be transmitted securely to the Treasurer within 90 days of a birth certificate issuance (or by September 1, 2026, for children born before July 1, 2026) and directs the Treasurer to distribute materials via mail and online resources. The policy aims to proactively inform families about available savings options for children, without creating new accounts or changing eligibility.

Maddy summarySB 397 prevents Kansas homeowners from losing eligibility for homestead property tax refunds or the SAFESR tax credit if their home's value later exceeds $350,000 after qualifying in a previous year. It ensures that individuals who received these benefits in a year when their home value was under $350,000 retain eligibility for future years, even if the value rises above the threshold. The bill amends Kansas law to explicitly protect this eligibility, applying to tax years 2026 and beyond for those who qualified under prior years' conditions. It directly affects current and future recipients of these specific tax relief programs.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Kansas to explicitly define the right to bear arms as a natural and fundamental right that includes owning ammunition, firearm accessories, and components. It requires that any government restrictions on this right must pass the strict scrutiny legal standard, which is the highest level of judicial review. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters, the change would strengthen existing gun protections by clarifying the scope of items covered and the level of protection they receive.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to expand the right to bear arms in Kansas to explicitly include ammunition, firearm accessories, and components. It classifies this right as a natural and fundamental one that cannot be infringed, requiring any future restrictions to meet the strict scrutiny legal standard. If approved by the legislature and voters, the change would strengthen protections for gun ownership while maintaining existing rules against standing armies in peacetime. The amendment would be placed on a special election ballot for Kansas residents to vote on in August 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a constitutional amendment to Kansas to explicitly state that only U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old and live in their local voting area are eligible to vote. The key provision clarifies residency requirements by allowing exceptions for people who temporarily move away, such as those voting in presidential elections or relocating within the state during an election cycle. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters, the change would codify these specific voter qualifications into the state constitution.

Maddy summarySB 10 creates property tax exemptions in Kansas for specific personal property, directly affecting owners of off-road vehicles (not used on highways), motorized bicycles, electric-assisted mobility devices, trailers under 15,000 pounds for personal use, and marine equipment (including watercraft trailers and motors). The bill exempts these items from state property taxes starting in taxable years after December 31, 2025. It amends existing tax laws to formalize these exemptions and updates application procedures for property tax exemptions. This change applies only to qualifying personal-use equipment, not commercial or farm-related property.