Ten new bills were introduced in the House and Senate today, including two abortion-restrictive proposals (HB2009, HB2010) and five various forms of tax cuts (HB2011, HB2012, HB2013, HB2014, SB10). Plus, the State of the State and State of the Judiciary addresses. And a proposed constitutional amendment. Whew!

Below is today’s morning update on published activities in the Kansas Legislature.

Governor Laura Kelly outlined a bold and optimistic vision for Kansas during her State of the State address on January 15. Speaking to a joint session of the Legislature, she highlighted her administration’s achievements and ambitious plans for the future, emphasizing the importance of balancing innovation with the preservation of Kansas’s core values.

Kelly celebrated several milestones, including six consecutive years of balanced budgets and fully funded public schools, the elimination of the state sales tax on groceries, and significant strides in economic development. "Kansas has never been in better financial shape," Kelly stated, noting the $2 billion in tax cuts enacted during her tenure and record-breaking infrastructure investments in roads, bridges, and broadband connectivity.

Key to her vision is the creation of an Office of Early Childhood to consolidate fragmented services currently spread across multiple state agencies. "Eliminating unnecessary government bureaucracy, cutting red tape, and making it easier for parents and businesses to support our kids…is a commonsense idea we can all get behind," she said. The Governor also pledged to continue tackling childhood hunger by providing free school lunches to over 35,000 students.

Turning her focus to long-term challenges, Kelly addressed the state’s dwindling water supply, proposing a "multigenerational promise" to stabilize the Ogallala Aquifer and improve water management. She called for creating an Office of Natural Resources to centralize efforts and streamline policies.

Kelly’s speech concluded with a call for bipartisan cooperation. "I’m not asking you not to love your political party–I’m just asking you to love your state a little more. That’s the only way we build that future we all want for Kansas."

Chief Justice Marla Luckert addressed the Kansas Legislature on January 15, emphasizing the urgent need to close the justice gap and make legal services more accessible. She highlighted ongoing efforts to simplify court procedures for self-represented litigants, who make up the majority of civil cases, and proposed measures to ensure equitable access to justice statewide.

A major point of concern was the shortage of attorneys in rural Kansas, where many counties lack adequate legal representation. Luckert called for programs to attract and retain attorneys in these underserved areas, including tuition reimbursement for law students who commit to rural practice.

Luckert concluded by praising collaborative efforts among government branches to enhance child welfare services and implement family treatment courts. She urged continued innovation and investment to ensure Kansas courts remain effective and equitable for all citizens.

Two proposed bills, HB 2009 and HB 2010, aim to significantly alter abortion regulations in Kansas. HB 2009 would restrict abortions entirely except in cases where the life of the pregnant woman is at risk, with enforcement through civil lawsuits that could result in damages starting at $10,000. HB 2010 introduces criminal penalties for the "unlawful performance of an abortion" and "unlawful destruction of a fertilized embryo," categorizing them as severity level 1 person felonies, which carry severe penalties, including potential life imprisonment. The bills collectively seek to redefine the legal framework around abortion, prohibit the use of abortifacient drugs, restrict fetal tissue use, and align Kansas laws with a broader anti-abortion stance while attracting significant public and legal scrutiny.

The proposed SCR 1603 aims to limit annual increases in property valuation for tax purposes to 3%, or a lower percentage set by law, for real property and mobile homes used as residences. This would prevent drastic year-over-year tax hikes while providing exceptions for changes such as new construction, ownership transfers, and corrections to errors. Proponents highlight this as a necessary step to protect Kansas homeowners from unpredictable tax burdens.

This proposal has drawn comparisons to California's Proposition 13, enacted in 1978, which similarly capped property tax increases and linked new tax valuations to the point of sale. While Proposition 13 succeeded in stabilizing tax bills for property owners, it also significantly impacted local government revenues, leading to funding challenges for schools and public services. If adopted, the amendment would appear on the November 2025 ballot.

The Senate is scheduled to discuss this proposal in today’s session.

This bill prohibits all abortion procedures unless necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman. It introduces a private cause of action for civil enforcement and explicitly bans the distribution of abortifacient drugs. Violations are enforced through civil lawsuits rather than criminal prosecution. [link]

Key provisions include:

HB 2010 creates the crimes of "unlawful performance of an abortion" and "unlawful destruction of a fertilized embryo," classifying them as severity level 1 person felonies. In Kansas, a severity level 1 person felony is among the most serious offenses, carrying penalties of up to life imprisonment and significant fines. [link]

Key aspects of the bill include:

The bill also seeks to prevent exemptions from sales and use taxes for abortion providers. Additional safeguards within HB 2010 stipulate that:

HB 2011 proposes to decrease the rate of property tax imposed by school districts in Kansas. It amends existing statutes to lower the mill levy rate from 20 to 18.5 mills for the 2025-2026 school year and adjusts future rates to ensure revenue neutrality based on current assessed property values. [link]

The bill aims to provide relief to taxpayers while maintaining sufficient funding for school operations and obligations. Any tax proceeds, excluding those for redevelopment projects, will be remitted to the state treasury and allocated to the state school district finance fund.

HB 2012 introduces a tax credit for the sale of higher ethanol blends for motor vehicle fuel, aiming to incentivize the use of renewable energy sources. Retailers and distributors are eligible for a $0.05-per-gallon credit for ethanol blends containing 15%-85% ethanol sold in Kansas between 2026 and 2031. The total credits available are capped at $5 million annually, and unused credits may be carried forward for up to five years. [link]

HB 2013 eliminates the state sales tax on cable, community antennae, and television services. This move aligns with efforts to reduce the tax burden on households and ensure equitable treatment across telecommunications services. [link]

HB 2014 provides property tax exemptions for certain personal property, including watercraft, marine equipment, off-road vehicles, motorized bicycles, and small trailers used exclusively for personal purposes. The exemptions, effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, aim to reduce the financial burden on owners of these items. [link]

SB 8 introduces traffic regulations requiring drivers to proceed with caution when approaching stationary vehicles displaying hazard warning signals. If the roadway has two or more lanes traveling in the same direction, drivers must change lanes away from the stationary vehicle if it is safe to do so. Otherwise, they must slow down to a safe speed. Violations are subject to penalties defined in the uniform fine schedule. [link]

SB 9 extends the deadline for filing U.S. public land survey reference reports with the state historical society from 30 to 90 days. This amendment provides land surveyors with additional time to submit necessary documentation following their activities. Supporters believe the extension will reduce administrative burdens while ensuring compliance with reporting requirements. [link]

SB 10 proposes property tax exemptions for specific personal property, including watercraft, marine equipment, off-road vehicles, and small trailers used exclusively for personal purposes. These exemptions, intended to take effect in 2026, aim to alleviate tax burdens on Kansas residents owning such property. Proponents highlight the economic relief provided by the measure, while critics question its potential effects on local revenue streams. [link]

SB 11 mandates minimum CPR training for 911 telecommunicators, ensuring that all public safety answering point personnel are trained in telecommunicator-cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The training includes nationally recognized guidelines for high-quality CPR and is aimed at improving emergency response outcomes for cardiac arrests. The legislation underscores the importance of standardized training to enhance public safety and emergency preparedness across Kansas. [link]

SCR 1603 proposes a constitutional amendment to cap annual increases in taxable property valuations for real property and mobile homes used for residential purposes at 3%, or a lower percentage as determined by law. The resolution outlines exceptions for specific cases, such as property improvements, class changes, exemptions, or ownership transfers. This measure aims to provide greater predictability and control over property tax assessments while balancing fiscal needs. [link]

Proponents argue that this amendment will protect Kansas property owners from steep and unexpected tax increases, ensuring that property valuations remain manageable for households. Critics, however, caution that such a cap could limit revenue growth for local governments, potentially impacting public services reliant on property taxes. The proposed amendment would appear on the November 4, 2025, general election ballot for voter approval.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Buzz as we continue to bring you comprehensive updates from the Kansas State Legislature! If you have any ideas or feedback just let us know.