11:00 p.m. Sunday
Last week, the Kansas Legislature entered the fifth week of the 2026 Session, marking the final full week for most committees to advance bills ahead of today's deadline. This week will shift focus from committee hearings to three days of floor debate, culminating in Turnaround on Friday—the halfway point of session—when most bills must clear their chamber of origin to remain viable. As deadlines tighten, both chambers are working to finalize committee action and prepare priority legislation for floor consideration. Below are highlights of action taken last week.
CPA Pathway
House Bill 2573 was heard in the House Federal and State Affairs Committee last Wednesday. Bill sponsor Representative Bergkamp testified in support of the bill. The KSCPA, Board of Accountancy and a member of the accounting profession also provided testimony in support of the bill. The bill passed out of the federal and state affairs committee with amendment. The bill will now go to the full House for consideration.
Budget
The House and Senate Budget Committees will finish work on their budget bills today, House Bill 2434 and Senate Bill 315. Both bills will be worked in their Chambers before the Friday turnaround deadline.
The Kansas Department of Commerce budget was approved last week by the Senate Commerce Committee, preserving funding for several programs, including Kansas Tourism and the Sunflower Summer Program. Adjustments were made to Kansas Public Broadcasting, Level Up Kansas, and the Kansas Creative Arts Council. In the House, similar changes were adopted, along with a reduction to the Sunflower Summer Program from $3 million to $2.5 million for FY 2027. Additionally, in a final effort to cut the state budget, the House Appropriations Committee approved a proviso implementing a 1.5% across-the-board cut to general operations budgets for all state agencies.
Property Tax Relief
On Thursday, the House Taxation Committee opened debate on House Bill 2745, a property tax bill that requires cities and other local governments to hold an election if they seek to increase property tax revenues by more than 3% annually. The debate comes amid election-year pressure for lawmakers to deliver property tax relief.
Cities argued the measure would disrupt budgeting, infrastructure planning, emergency response, and bond financing. They also raised concerns that the bill unfairly exempts school districts and excludes cities from a $60 million relief fund available only to counties. Supporters argued the bill gives taxpayers more control over rising costs. The Committee is scheduled to work on the bill today.
Citizenship on Driver's License
Last week, the Kansas House voted 77–41 to require driver's licenses to display citizenship status, with supporters saying it would help prevent voter fraud and critics warning it could promote discrimination. Backers argue it addresses election security concerns highlighted by a few recent cases, while opponents say non-citizen voting is rare and the measure risks fostering racial profiling and division.
School Choice Tax Credit
After a lengthy debate, the Kansas House voted 70–49 to expand a private school tax-credit scholarship program by raising the annual cap from $10 million to $20 million, with potential growth to $30 million, and the bill now moves to the Senate. Supporters say it helps lower-income families access school choice, while opponents argue it diverts state revenue from public priorities; the bill also allows Kansas to opt into a new federal scholarship tax credit program.
STAR Bonds
The House Commerce Committee advanced Sub for SB 197, renewing the STAR Bonds program sunset and adopting amendments to remove mall-related provisions, certain vertical construction projects, and the proposed Wyandotte County port authority. The bill now also requires expanded annual reporting on business relocations and foregone sales tax revenue within STAR districts. The bill is expected to be debated by the full House—after Turnaround—amid interest tied to potential Chiefs projects.
Sports Tourism
House Bill 2346, which passed out of the House Commerce Committee on Thursday, proposes a new incentive tool to help Kansas compete for visitor-driven amateur sporting events. The Committee made technical amendments, but did not consider amendments to prioritize new business over retention business or the ability for rural communities to use the fund.
Unemployment Insurance
The Joint Commerce Committee held a hearing on House Bill 2764, which proposes reforms to the state's unemployment insurance system by prohibiting changes to the employment security law through budget provisos without proper legislative review. The bill also authorizes approval of employer-sponsored supplemental unemployment benefit plans and updates eligibility standards, including suitable work and disqualification criteria. Finally, the bill incorporates references to federal law to maintain conformity and modernize Kansas's unemployment insurance policy.
By-Right Housing
On Thursday, the Senate Commerce Committee amended and advanced Senate Bill 418, the By-Right Housing Development Act. The Committee removed the provision requiring residential zoning statewide but retained key elements, including mandatory administrative approval within 15 days, statewide standards for certain single-family homes—such as smaller lot sizes and use of the 2018 International Residential Code—and elimination of protest petition requirements for owner-initiated single-family rezonings.
App Store Accountability Act
Senate Bill 372 passed the House Judiciary Committee with amendments to remove the private right of action. The bill regulates app store and developer operations regarding minors and establishes age-verification requirements. Proponents stated the bill would protect children from harmful digital material, while opponents stated it would restrict adults' access to content and undermine app users' privacy across all ages.
Breast Cancer Screening
The Senate Financial Institution & Insurance Committee passed Senate Bill 409, which eliminates cost-sharing for follow-up diagnostic breast exams. The bill was brought to the Legislature and supported by Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt.
World Cup Liquor Sales
Senate Bill 393 was introduced last week. The bill allows local communities to decide whether to authorize round-the-clock alcohol service at hotels and drinking establishments across Kansas during the World Cup this summer. The bill was initially referred to the Senate Federal and State Affairs where the chairman indicated he would not work the bill, so it was then rereferred to the Senate Commerce Committee. The bill is exempt from deadlines and can be heard after the turnaround deadline.
Angel Investor Tax Credit
House Bill 2466 passed the House. The bill extends the sunset for the Angel Investor Tax Credit through 2031. The companion Senate Bill 429 was heard in the Commerce Committee last week.
Portable Benefits
The House Insurance Committee passed out House Bill 2602, which would establish portable benefit plans for independent contractors, allowing third-party providers to administer accounts for benefits such as health, disability, and retirement, with voluntary contributions from hiring parties that would not affect worker classification. Beginning in tax year 2027, contributions would qualify for a state income tax deduction.
Tort Reform
Two tort reform bills have passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senate Bill 398 allows an expert witness to testify if the proponent demonstrates to the court that it is more likely than not that the expert's scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will help the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue Senate Bill 413 prohibit a party or counsel from offering the following to suggest to the jury an amount to award as damages for noneconomic loss.
Transient Guest Tax
The House Commerce Committee passed House Bill 2481 out of Committee with several amendments. The bill originally would have reduced the room requirement for the transient guest tax (TGT) from more than 2 rooms to 1 or more rooms. The Committee instead amended Kansas law to preempt local government prohibition of short-term rentals and the number of short-term rentals within a locality from May 15 to July 15, 2026, to accommodate additional room rentals during the World Cup. The bill will now go to the full House for consideration before the turnaround deadline.
Data Matching
Last week, the Senate Committee on Government Efficiency held two days of hearings on Senate Bill 363, which would require KDHE and DCF to enter into expanded data-matching agreements to verify eligibility for food and medical assistance, mandate monthly data submissions to CMS beginning January 1, 2027. Supporters say the bill strengthens program integrity, while opponents warn of added administrative burdens and inefficiencies. The Committee is scheduled to work on the bill today, though it could be blessed and considered after Turnaround.
Unused Tax Credits and HPIP
On Thursday, the House Commerce Committee held a hearing on House Bill 2757, which proposes repealing more than 20 unused or rarely used tax credits and making changes to the HPIP program. The bill was assigned a $107 million fiscal note by the Department of Revenue. Advocates will continue to work on the measure this week.
Broadband Gross Receipts
House Bill 2585, which would require revenues received by telecommunications service providers for the provision of broadband services to be calculated when determining gross receipts under a city franchise, was heard in House Utilities. At the chairman's request, all parties have been asked to meet to discuss the measure, with the hope that a compromise bill can be addressed during the 2027 Session.
Right of Way Relocation Fund
The House Utilities Committee passed House Bill 2544, which would create a Relocation Reimbursement Assistance Fund to help certain communications service providers recover costs when they are required by state or local governments to relocate facilities in public rights-of-way.
School Mill Levy Reduction
The House Taxation committee passed House Bill 2011, which would gradually reduce the statewide school property tax burden by expanding the residential exemption from $75,000 to $100,000. The bill also allows the 20-mill levy to decrease over time as property valuations grow, with limits to prevent increases if valuations decline. While the amended version avoids an immediate levy cut, it would still reduce revenues beginning in FY27 and require State General Fund transfers to meet school funding obligations.
At Risk Funding
The Kansas Senate passed Senate Bill 387, which requires school districts to verify household income for students counted as "at-risk" for funding purposes if they qualify for free meals, excluding those without documentation. Supporters say it ensures fiscal accountability after an audit found overpayments of $38 million to $54 million. At the same time, opponents argue it could reduce district funding, add administrative burdens, and do little to address affordability concerns. The bill now heads to the Senate.
E-Cigarettes
The Kansas Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 355 to tighten regulations on e-cigarettes, aiming to curb unlicensed products and advertising targeting children. Backed by major tobacco companies, the bill requires e-cigarette manufacturers to obtain a $2,500 license and follow the same licensing and advertising rules as other nicotine products. It prohibits marketing tactics that appeal to minors, including cartoon characters, celebrity images, child-oriented symbols, and vapes with entertainment features such as video games or music.
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