Sen. Pat Pettey

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 summaryThis Senate concurrent resolution urges the U.S. Congress to double fines for breaking federal immigration laws and asks Immigration and Customs Enforcement to more aggressively prosecute companies that hire undocumented workers. The bill directly addresses employers who hire unauthorized immigrants and federal agencies responsible for immigration enforcement, citing concerns that current penalties are too weak to deter hiring practices that allegedly harm American workers. Because this is a non-binding resolution rather than a law, it expresses the Kansas Senate's formal recommendation to federal officials without creating new legal obligations or changing existing statutes. The document highlights past statistics showing that ICE has rarely used criminal prosecution against employers compared to its focus on individuals entering the country illegally.

Maddy summarySB 189 allows injured workers in Kansas to choose their own healthcare provider for workers' compensation treatment, requiring employers to cover the costs of that provider's services. The bill amends state law to establish this choice as standard practice, while maintaining a $800 cap on employer coverage for initial visits without prior approval. This applies to all workers covered under Kansas workers' compensation, giving employees greater control over their medical care decisions.

Maddy summarySB 217 increases the property tax exemption for residential homeowners in Kansas. It raises the exempt value from $75,000 to $125,000 of a home's appraised value for the statewide school levy. This means homeowners pay property tax only on the value exceeding $125,000, reducing their tax burden. The change applies to all taxable years starting in 2024 and beyond.

Maddy summarySB 202 transfers all current and future teachers in Kansas from the KPERS 3 retirement plan (established in 2015) to the older KPERS 2 plan (established in 2009). It affects all teachers, including those currently enrolled in KPERS 3, with the transfer automatic on January 1, 2026, and new teachers hired on or after July 1, 2025, starting directly in KPERS 2. The bill ensures teachers retain all prior service credit and benefits under the new plan, with no reduction in benefits compared to their previous plan, and employer contributions will offset the administrative costs of the transfer.

Maddy summarySB 195 establishes a nine-member property tax task force in Kansas to study the state's property tax system. The task force, composed of legislative leaders and tax committee chairs, will examine property valuations, tax levies, and system efficiency to develop recommendations. It must submit a final report to the legislature by January 31, 2026, suggesting improvements to property tax law. This bill does not change tax rates or laws directly but creates a process for evaluating the system. The task force will expire on its report deadline.

Maddy summarySB 215 modifies Kansas property tax refund eligibility for seniors (65+) and disabled veterans by excluding Social Security payments from household income calculations and raising the income threshold from $50,000 to $80,000 annually. It also increases the maximum property value threshold for eligibility from $350,000 to $595,000, with automatic annual adjustments based on cost-of-living changes and property valuation trends. These changes apply to tax years beginning in 2025 and later, replacing previous eligibility rules under Kansas law. The bill directly affects qualifying seniors and disabled veterans seeking property tax refunds by expanding access to the program.