Sen. Cindy Holscher

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 123 requires the state to reimburse Kansas school districts $0.40 per reduced-price meal served starting in the 2025-2026 school year, replacing a previous 6-cent rate. It directly prohibits local school boards from charging students for these meals, ensuring no out-of-pocket costs for eligible families. The bill also bans using state funds for meals labeled as "identifiable imported meats." This policy change affects all Kansas public schools participating in federally approved reduced-price meal programs and shifts funding responsibility from local fees to state general funds.

Maddy summarySB 142 allows Kansas school districts to add a licensed teacher as a nonvoting member on their board of education. The teacher must be elected by fellow teachers in the district and serve a two-year term, with possible re-election for one additional term. School districts decide whether to implement this, and the teacher representative cannot participate in teacher contract negotiations. The bill amends Kansas statutes to formally authorize this position within existing school board structures.

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.

Maddy summarySB 141, the "Right to Speak Your Truth Act," prevents individuals accused of sexual misconduct from filing defamation lawsuits based on reported accusations unless specific conditions are met. It directly affects people accused of sexual assault, abuse, or harassment who might sue others for making public reports about them. The law blocks defamation claims unless evidence shows: the accused couldn't have committed the act, the accuser was found not guilty in court, the accuser made contradictory public statements about the incident, or the accuser publicly denied the incident occurred. This applies only to accusations reported to law enforcement, HR departments, media, or social media, not private discussions. The bill aims to protect public reporting on serious misconduct while limiting defamation claims in those specific scenarios.

Maddy summarySB 144 invalidates neighborhood agreements (like HOA rules) that block rooftop solar panel installations on residential homes, effective July 1, 2025. Homeowners in communities with such agreements will no longer be restricted from installing solar panels. Homeowners associations may still create reasonable rules about solar panels, but these rules cannot prohibit rooftop installations. The law takes effect after its publication in state statutes.

Maddy summarySB 200 designates Kansas as a "Purple Heart State" to honor residents who have received the Purple Heart medal for combat wounds. It requires the governor to annually proclaim August 7 as "Purple Heart Day" (commemorating the medal's historical origins) and urges veterans' organizations to plan recognition events. The bill does not create new benefits or funding but establishes a ceremonial observance for Purple Heart recipients, with all Kansas residents encouraged to participate in commemorating their service. This is a symbolic measure with no substantive policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 143 imposes a 16-year term limit on Kansas state legislators (representatives and senators) starting January 11, 2027, meaning no member can serve more than 16 years total across both chambers. However, legislators who reach this limit may serve up to four additional years if they win their next primary election with at least 70% of the vote. For those seeking to extend beyond 16 years, they must secure 70% of the vote in *two consecutive* primary elections. The bill also amends election certification rules to require this 70% threshold for candidates exceeding the 16-year limit, ensuring only those meeting the vote requirement are certified as primary winners.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to remove a specific clause from the Kansas Constitution that currently protects employees from being fired based on whether they join a labor union. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters, it would eliminate the state's constitutional "right to work" provision regarding union membership. The bill directly affects workers and employers by changing the legal rules around union membership in the state. It is a procedural measure that sets up a vote for the public to decide whether to keep or remove this existing constitutional protection.

Maddy summarySB 216 establishes Kansas' first statewide paid sick leave law, requiring most private employers to provide earned paid sick time for health and safety needs. Employees accrue sick time at their regular hourly rate (minimum $7.25/hour), with limits based on employer size: larger employers must provide up to 80 hours annually, while smaller businesses offer less. The law prohibits retaliation for using sick leave, bans employer demands for replacement workers, and allows up to 80 hours to carry over annually or be paid out at year-end. It excludes small businesses with under $5,000 annual sales, certain government workers, and employees covered by collective bargaining agreements.