Sen. Doug Shane

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 summarySB 416 allows Kansas cities and counties to inspect privately owned residential properties without the occupant's permission under two specific conditions: when an administrative warrant (court-issued for code enforcement) is obtained, or when there is probable cause of an immediate threat to health or safety. This change modifies existing law by removing the prior requirement for resident consent for routine interior inspections, directly affecting homeowners and renters in incorporated cities or unincorporated county areas. The bill does not apply to mixed-use properties or standard construction inspections like building permit reviews. It repeals the previous consent-based requirement for such inspections while maintaining existing processes for new construction and commercial properties.

Maddy summarySB 415 would allow tenants to use Kansas's Consumer Protection Act to address landlords who create unsafe living conditions. Specifically, if a landlord's action or inaction makes a rental unit uninhabitable, tenants could pursue remedies under the Consumer Protection Act instead of (or in addition to) the standard landlord-tenant law. The bill treats landlords as "suppliers" and tenants as "consumers" under this law, removing the need to prove a typical consumer transaction. This change would give tenants stronger enforcement tools for habitability violations without replacing existing tenant protections. The bill is currently pending in committee with a hearing scheduled for February 11, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a concurrent resolution that formally recognizes the United States national debt as a serious threat to national security. It directly affects the U.S. Congress by urging them to establish a regular order for budgeting to address the growing debt. The resolution cites specific data points, such as the current debt level and projections for Social Security and Medicare depletion, to support its findings. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as an official statement of concern from the Kansas legislature.

Maddy summarySB 118 imposes term limits on Kansas legislators: members of the House may serve a maximum of six two-year terms, and Senators may serve a maximum of three four-year terms. After reaching these limits, legislators seeking re-election must be nominated via petition under K.S.A. 25-205, rather than appearing automatically on primary ballots. The bill amends election rules to require petition signatures for candidates who have served the maximum terms, with petition forms including a statement acknowledging the term limit. This directly affects current and future legislators aiming for re-election beyond their term limit thresholds.

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.