February 1, 2026
The Kansas Legislature remained busy last week as both the House and Senate held significant floor debates, votes and committee hearings, signaling a noticeable increase in the pace of the 2026 session. Lawmakers worked late to debate immigration policy and a bathroom bill. Amid the policy debates, the Statehouse also marked Kansas Day, highlighted by a moment as the House joined together to sing “Home on the Range.” Attention now turns to this week’s deadline for non-exempt committees to introduce bills.
CPA Pathway Bill
The CPA Pathway bill, House Bill 2573, was introduced in the House Fed & State Affairs Committee. The bill adds a new licensure pathway option in addition to the existing 150-hour options, candidates will be able to pursue a CPA license by earning a bachelor’s degree, completing two years of experience and passing the CPA Exam. The KSCPA will work to schedule a hearing in the next few weeks.
Budget Update
The Kansas House Appropriations Committee continued work on a stripped-down state budget bill. The bill initially removed more than $540 million in requested funding for agency enhancements, employee pay increases, and new hires. The House Committee restored a portion of the dollars to House Bill 2434 through subcommittee recommendations. The Senate Ways & Means Subcommittees continued their work compiling their own budget bill, set out in Senate Bill 315.
The Kansas Department of Commerce Budget was passed by the Senate Commerce Committee, holding many programs harmless, including Kansas Tourism Funding and the Sunflower Summer Program. There were adjustments to Kansas Public Broadcasting, Level Up Kansas and a deletion of funds from the Kansas Creative Arts Council. The House Committee will consider the Kansas Department of Commerce Budget this week.
Free and Reduced Lunch
The Senate Education Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 387, which would require school districts to verify household income for students receiving free meals and require legislative authorization for certain federal assistance. Proponents argued the bill is aimed at addressing overpayments and ensuring free meals go only to eligible students. Opponents contended the bill violates federal law and could reduce access to meals for vulnerable students. The committee is expected to work the bill this week.
Immigration
The Kansas Senate advanced Senate Bill 254, which would restrict undocumented immigrants from accessing most state and local benefits. The bill also repeals a 2004 law that allows certain undocumented Kansas high school graduates to receive in-state tuition, a provision affecting roughly 310 students statewide. Supporters said the bill aligns state policy with federal law and addresses taxpayer concerns, while opponents argued it unfairly targets long-time Kansas residents and is based on misconceptions about immigrant access to public benefits. The bill also requires proof of lawful presence for benefits, mandates immigration status checks in certain criminal cases, and preserves limited emergency and public health exceptions.
Separately, Kansas House Democrats introduced legislation and a resolution seeking to limit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the state by banning warrantless raids, requiring judicial oversight and training standards, and increasing transparency. The proposals face steep challenges in the Republican-controlled Legislature, where leaders largely support current federal enforcement policies.
E-Cigarettes
Senate Fed & State Affairs Committee considered Senate Bill 355, which would require electronic cigarette manufacturers selling products in the state to obtain a $500 license. Proponents, including tobacco company Altria and Attorney General Kris Kobach, say the measure is aimed at curbing the influx of illegal and unregulated vaping products imported from China. Opponents, primarily small e-cigarette business owners, warned the measure would effectively shut down independent businesses.
Aviation Tax Credit
The House Commerce Committee approved House Bill 2464, a bill that extends the sunset on the aviation tax credit for 10 years. The bill was heard last week, during which proponents expressed support for the measure, stating that the continuation of the tax credit will allow the aerospace industry to further invest in the Kansas workforce. There were no opponents to the bill during the hearing.
Local Elections
A divided House Elections Committee advanced House Bill 2452 that would move city, school board, and community college elections to even-numbered years beginning in 2028, arguing it would boost voter turnout and potentially reduce election costs by consolidating ballots. Supporters argued higher-turnout elections would improve accountability and lower per-vote costs, while opponents—including cities, education groups, and voting advocates—argued the change would increase partisanship, raise campaign costs for local candidates, and bury local issues on crowded ballots. The secretary of state’s office remained neutral but flagged logistical challenges, including longer wait times. The bill now moves forward for further legislative consideration.
Right of Way Relocation Fund
The House Utilities Committee heard 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. The bill would transfer $2 million from the State General Fund—sourced from insurance premium tax revenues—into the fund, with eligible telecom providers able to receive full or prorated reimbursement depending on available resources.
Proponents, including Charter Communications and Cox Communications, argued that, unlike rate-regulated utilities, broadband providers must absorb unpredictable and sometimes substantial relocation costs that divert capital from network expansion and can ultimately affect consumers. Local government representatives said the bill reflects a collaborative compromise that avoids shifting costs onto cities.
Pharmacy Benefit Managers
The Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee held two days of hearings on Senate Bill 360, the Kansas Consumer Prescription Protection and Accountability Act, which would require pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to register and comply with new transparency, reimbursement, and accountability standards, drawing strong support from regulators and independent pharmacies and opposition from employers, insurers, and PBMs.
Proponents, including Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, argued the bill would lower drug costs and premiums and protect patient choice. Opponents warned that the measure would raise costs for employers and that tighter PBM regulation would not truly reduce prescription drug costs but would simply shift them elsewhere.
Insurance Savings Accounts
Kansas House Taxation Committee considered House Bill 2430, which would create Insurance Savings Accounts (ISAs) allowing individuals, families, and corporations to save money tax-free for property and casualty insurance expenses such as premiums and deductibles, beginning in tax year 2027. Under the proposal, individuals could contribute up to $6,000 annually, married couples up to $12,000, and corporations up to $25,000, with contributions deducted from Kansas taxable income and withdrawals subject to recapture if used for non-qualified purposes.
Supporters, including Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt and insurance industry representatives, argue that ISAs would help Kansans manage rising insurance costs and mirror similar savings tools such as first-time homebuyer or adoption accounts. The Department of Revenue estimates potential state revenue reductions ranging from $29.5 million to $248.9 million annually, depending on participation, a figure proponents say overstates likely use.
This Week
Sports Tourism - House Bill 2346 will be heard in the House Commerce Committee and proposes a new economic development tool to help Kansas compete with neighboring states for visitor-driven sporting events. A hearing has been set for Tuesday, during which several amendments will be offered.
Angel Investor Tax Credit - House Bill 2466 was heard in the House Commerce Committee today. The bill extends the sunset for the Angel Investor Tax Credit through 2031.
Broadband Gross Receipts - House Bill 2585 will be heard in the House Utilities Committee on Tuesday. The bill requires that revenues received by telecommunications service providers for the provision of broadband services be included in the calculation of gross receipts under a city franchise.
Tort Reform - Two tort reform bills will be heard next Thursday in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senate Bill 398, regarding expert witness testimony, and Senate Bill 413, regarding jury anchoring, have been proposed by the Kansas Chamber and the business community.
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