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

Proposed bill SB 63 bans gender-affirming care for minors and creates significant civil penalities. The language of the bill is thorough and detailed in its definition of gender-affirming care (and the treatments that would be banned). Separately, HB 2062 provides for child support to become viable at conception (though the dollar amounts are limited only to medical and pregnancy-related expenses).

A collection of proposals appears designed to make it easier for Republicans to retain their supermajority status, and their state office seats. HB 2054 would double the individual contribution limits to candidates (e.g. $500→$1,000 donations for State Representative, $2,000→$4,000 to governor or lieutenant governor candidates). This would appear to benefit all candidates, but mathematically it benefits candidates who have a greater share of their fundraising for donors that “max out.” This also doubles the amount of money that PACs and lobby groups are able to spend on candidates.

HB 2055 and HB 2057 require any vacancy appointments to be given to persons of the same political party as the prior incumbent. For example, if the insurance commissioner or treasurer were to choose to run for another office in 2026 and need to resign their position for campaigning, this would ensure that those seats are still held by people from the same party.

House Bill 2051 addresses the issue of national land designations, specifically national heritage areas and national historic trails within the state of Kansas. It mandates that any such designation extending beyond federal land requires prior approval by the Kansas legislature through a concurrent resolution.

Furthermore, the bill prohibits the use of state funds to match federal money for these designations without legislative approval. It also prevents the inclusion of state lands and properties in national designations unless the legislature consents. The intention of the bill is to protect state and private property rights from federal legislative processes controlled by non-elected entities. [link]

House Bill No. 2052 introduces several changes to Kansas firearm regulations, focusing on the Personal and Family Protection Act. The bill updates cross-references regarding eligibility requirements for obtaining or renewing a concealed carry handgun license. It mandates the surrender of the license to the attorney general upon suspension or revocation. Additionally, it transitions provisional licenses to standard licenses when holders reach the age threshold. For off-duty law enforcement officers, the bill prohibits the collection of personal information when they enter buildings while armed, and they are not required to wear any identifier as law enforcement.

The bill also specifies detailed procedures for the application and renewal of concealed carry handgun licenses, including requiring fingerprint submissions for new applicants but not for renewals. It allows exemptions for certain categories of officers and actively-duty military personnel. In cases of suspensions or revocations, it requires prompt notification and return of the license, imposing a penalty for non-compliance. Lastly, the bill includes specific provisions that safeguard the right of out-of-state and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons under existing federal guidelines. The law stipulates particular exceptions concerning buildings where firearms are expressly restricted by higher jurisdictional authority. [link]

House Bill No. 2053, introduced by the Committee on Local Government at the request of Representative Hoye, seeks to amend election-related regulations. Specifically, the bill proposes to repeal Kansas Statute K.S.A. 25-2711, which currently imposes limitations on municipal regulation of political signs during specified periods around election days. By repealing this statute, the bill aims to provide municipalities with greater autonomy over the regulation of political signs, potentially leading to more localized and context-specific sign ordinances. The bill stipulates that the changes would take effect after its publication in the statute book, thereby enabling municipalities to implement their own measures surrounding political signage without state restrictions previously outlined in K.S.A. 25-2711. [link]

House Bill No. 2054 seeks to amend K.S.A. 25-4153 by increasing the permissible campaign contribution limits across various political offices. Specifically, it proposes doubling the contribution limits for the governor and lieutenant governor, state officers, state senators, board of education members, and legislators, amongst others, for both primary and general elections.

Additionally, the bill intends to remove contribution limits from individuals to state party committees and eliminates existing contribution limits to party committees by national party committees. The bill also sets out new conditions around loans and individual cash contributions, raising the cash contribution limit to $200. [link]

This bill amends the procedures concerning the filling of vacancies in the offices of the state treasurer and the commissioner of insurance in Kansas. In the event of a vacancy, the governor must appoint a replacement from the same political party as the outgoing official, subjecting the appointment to Senate confirmation. If the previous officeholder was not affiliated with a political party, the governor may select any suitable person to fill the role. These amendments ensure that political continuity is maintained in these state offices, while also introducing a new layer of oversight through the Senate confirmation process. [link]

House Bill No. 2056 introduces specific guidelines for nominations for elected office in Kansas, aiming to streamline and regulate the nomination process. This bill amends sections K.S.A. 25-302, 25-304, and 25-306, dictating the procedures for accepting nominations based on the form of nomination used, and restricts the use of multiple nomination methods. Additionally, it mandates that nominations must be acknowledged by council members, certified, and contain additional personal and party information.

This legislation further establishes that individuals cannot accept multiple nominations for the same office, and prevents nomination for candidates already committed or nominated by other means, unless they formally withdraw. It details enforcement responsibilities, assigning the Secretary of State for federal and state offices' oversight, and county election officers for county and township offices. The bill aims to introduce uniformity and transparency in the nomination process, applicable immediately following its publication in the statute book. [link]

House Bill No. 2057 addresses the process for filling vacancies in Kansas offices of United States Senator, State Treasurer, and Commissioner of Insurance. It introduces a requirement for the governor to temporarily appoint a person who is from the same political party as the incumbent. Additionally, nominees for this appointment are proposed by a joint legislative committee, and the governor must choose from three candidates nominated through a legislative resolution.

The bill also establishes the joint committee on vacancy appointments, which is responsible for reviewing nominations and conducting public hearings. This committee consists of members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives, reflecting the political composition of each chamber. The bill amends existing Kansas statutes to align with the new vacancy-filling procedures and repeals sections that are no longer applicable. [link]

House Bill No. 2058, also known as the 'selective assistance for effective senior relief,' amends the Kansas income tax act by increasing the income eligibility threshold for senior citizens to qualify for a tax credit. Specifically, it allows taxpayers aged 65 or older with a household income of up to $28,000 to claim a credit equal to 75% of their paid property and ad valorem taxes beginning in the 2025 tax year. From 2026 onwards, this income limit will be adjusted annually for cost-of-living increases. The amendment ensures that the credit does not exceed the taxes paid and cannot be claimed by those who receive a homestead property tax refund. The bill also mandates that the refund for excess credits be issued if the credit surpasses the individual's tax liability. [link]

House Bill No. 2059, introduced in the Kansas House by the Committee on Taxation at the request of Representative Awerkamp, seeks to provide a subtraction modification in the calculation of Kansas adjusted gross income for individuals. Specifically, this modification would allow taxpayers to subtract from their federal adjusted gross income any amounts they have paid during the taxable year as members of a health care sharing ministry.

The bill defines a health care sharing ministry as a faith-based nonprofit organization, tax-exempt under the IRS code, which limits its membership to people of similar faith, facilitates sharing of financial and medical needs among its members, and clarifies that it is not an insurance company. [link]

House Bill 2060 seeks to enhance the management and integration of information technology within Kansas state government. It authorizes the Information Technology Executive Council to develop IT policies, project management methodologies, and integrate IT services into the office of information technology services. Additionally, the council is tasked with designating ownership and direction for IT systems across executive agencies.

The bill requires detailed reporting plans on integration and cybersecurity to various legislative committees by January 2026, emphasizing the transition to '.gov' domains by February 2025 and specifying separate budget allocations for IT to enable transparent review. From 2027, all cybersecurity services will be administered by the chief information technology and security officers of respective government branches. [link]

House Bill No. 2061 amends existing Kansas law by expanding the definition of critical infrastructure facilities to explicitly include infrastructure used for telecommunications or video services, such as aboveground and belowground lines, cables, and wires. The bill establishes and classifies crimes related to trespassing and damaging these facilities, outlining penalties ranging from misdemeanors to felonies based on severity. It also ensures that prosecuting these offenses does not preclude the pursuit of additional remedies or prosecution under other statutes. [link]

House Bill No. 2062 aims to address child support obligations from the time of conception. The bill amends existing statutes to include provisions for the unborn child, requiring the courts to establish guidelines for determining child support based on factors such as the parents' financial circumstances and the medical expenses incurred during pregnancy. The bill stipulates that the support should cover direct medical and pregnancy-related costs, excluding elective abortions, from conception onwards. As a result, interest accrues on unpaid amounts until the arrearage is resolved. [link]

HB 2063 introduces the creation of the state conservation fund, working lands conservation fund, wildlife conservation fund, and Kansas outdoors fund as part of Kansas's commitment to preserving natural resources. These funds, to be administered by the Kansas Department of Agriculture and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, are primarily intended to supplement existing appropriations rather than replace them.

The bill mandates an annual transfer of $60 million from the state general fund to the state conservation fund, with further distributions to the sub-funds each July. Each sub-fund involves the management of grant programs supporting various conservation initiatives, like enhancing irrigation efficiency, soil health, wildlife habitats, and outdoor recreation access, emphasizing projects that can secure additional funding from non-state sources. [link]

House Bill No. 2064 proposes an amendment to remove the exception that allows oil and gas drilling waste disposal through land-spreading without the need for a solid waste permit in Kansas. The bill is intended to ensure that disposal practices comply with environmental safety standards to protect human health and prevent pollution.

The bill describes the procedural framework for granting waste disposal exemptions and emphasizes that permit exceptions must not compromise public health or environmental quality. The bill mandates the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the state corporation commission to oversee and regulate these waste management activities, ensuring compliance with updated rules and regulations. [link]

Senate Bill No. 55 aims to amend Kansas insurance regulations by prohibiting the assignment of benefits for residential and commercial property insurance policies. This prohibition is in response to concerns over practices deemed to be against public policy, resulting in such assignments being null and void. The bill specifically defines an "assignment agreement" as any instrument allowing post-loss benefits to be transferred to a service provider involved in protecting or restoring insured property.

Exemptions to this rule include assignments to federally insured financial institutions, mortgagees, subsequent property purchasers, or in cases involving liability coverage under the specified insurance policies. By amending K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 40-2404, the bill adds violation of this prohibition to the list of unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts in the insurance business, reinforcing its regulatory frameworks against misrepresentation and false advertising in insurance. [link]

Senate Bill No. 56 establishes a framework for the delivery of alcoholic liquor and cereal malt beverages within the state of Kansas. The bill allows licensed retailers and drinking establishments to deliver these beverages directly to consumers at specified addresses, ensuring compliance with specific rules such as consumer identification verification and time restrictions on deliveries. To facilitate this process, third-party delivery services are required to obtain permits, provide employee training to prevent underage drinking, and operate under strict data protection conditions. The bill outlines the responsibilities and liabilities of retailers and delivery services, grants enforcement authority to regulatory bodies, and provides for civil actions in case of violations. [link]

Senate Bill No. 57, introduced by the Committee on Utilities, outlines measures related to road and highway projects that require the modification or relocation of communications or video service facilities. It obliges state agencies, counties, cities, and other political subdivisions to reimburse the costs incurred by the owners or operators of such facilities as per ordered modifications or relocations.

The bill amends existing Kansas statutes to allow contracts for federal-aid projects with provisions for reimbursement. Contracts will ensure adequate funding for any necessary modifications or relocations of communication facilities, ensuring such costs are covered in project budgets, with a 90-day window for reimbursement once requested by the affected entity. [link]

Senate Bill No. 58 introduces changes to the existing framework for multi-year flex accounts under the Kansas Water Appropriation Act. The bill recognizes the potential benefits of allowing flexibility in water usage over multiple years, provided that this flexibility does not adversely affect existing water rights or the long-term sustainability of water sources. To achieve this, the chief engineer is given the authority to establish these accounts under specific conditions.

The bill outlines various criteria and limitations for establishing multi-year flex accounts, including requirements for the base water right, such as it must be active and not abandoned, and determines how the allocated water can be used over the five-year period without increasing the overall water diversion. It also sets stipulations for applications, fees, and the possibility to carry over unused water quantities to subsequent terms, all under the oversight of the chief engineer to ensure adherence to regulations and maintenance of water resources. [link]

Senate Bill No. 59, targeted at amending K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 79-3606, seeks to provide sales tax exemptions to animal shelters and rescue network managers, alongside a spectrum of exemptions for tangible personal property and services. These exemptions extend to government agencies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and other qualifying entities. The bill outlines specific criteria for obtaining exemption certificates, encompassing projects by entities such as the Kansas Children's Service League and other community and educational organizations. Misuse of these certificates or goods purchased under them attracts misdemeanor charges, ensuring adherence to the legal framework. Refund provisions are included for sales predating the effective exemption dates, offering further financial relief for eligible purchases. [link]

Senate Bill No. 60 aims to reform the procedural aspects of habeas corpus cases in Kansas. It specifies conditions under which second or successive motions by prisoners can be entertained, particularly relying on new constitutional rules or undiscovered factual claims.

Additionally, the bill prohibits claims of ineffective counsel unless such ineffectiveness completely prevents the opportunity for appeal. Notably, it provides a direct right of appeal to the Kansas Supreme Court for inmates sentenced to death and makes some amendments to the Kansas Statutes Annotated, particularly K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 60-1507 and 60-2102. [link]

Senate Bill No. 61 focuses on the relationship between electric public utilities and landowners regarding eminent domain disputes. It mandates that if an electric utility appeals the decision of court-appointed appraisers in a property value dispute and the landowner wins, the utility must pay the landowner's attorney fees.

The bill amends K.S.A. 26-509 by specifying the conditions under which these attorney fees become court costs in such legal proceedings. This measure aims to alleviate the financial burden on landowners involved in such disputes when they succeed in appeals. [link]

Senate Bill No. 62 introduces the crime of engaging in a street stunt, which involves operating a motor vehicle with disruptive actions affecting traffic, potentially causing harm or damage. A street stunt includes, but is not limited to, intimidating other road users, causing property damage, or resulting in injury.

The bill establishes penalties for such actions, categorizing them as misdemeanors or felonies based on severity and past convictions. Additionally, the bill includes engaging in a street stunt under activities considered as fleeing or attempting to elude police officers. Amendments to existing statutes are made to incorporate these provisions. [link]

Senate Bill No. 63, introduced by the Committee on Public Health and Welfare, seeks to enact the Help Not Harm Act aimed at regulating healthcare related to gender identity for minors. The bill prohibits healthcare providers from performing surgeries or prescribing medications aimed at gender transitioning for individuals under 18 whose gender identity does not align with their biological sex.

The bill also allows for civil action against healthcare providers who violate these provisions and restricts the use of state funds from supporting gender transition procedures. Insurance policies are also affected, with professional liability insurance being disallowed for damages arising from such treatments. Moreover, the act amends existing legislation to include violations within the scope of unprofessional conduct for physicians. [link]

The Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 1605 proposes an amendment to the Kansas constitution to empower counties with home rule. This amendment would enable counties to manage their local governance and affairs, including taxation and local ordinances, as long as there is no conflict with statewide laws that apply uniformly to all counties.

If passed, counties could adopt charter resolutions to exempt themselves from certain non-uniform state laws, provided a two-thirds majority of the county's governing body agrees. However, the legislature would retain the power to preempt these local rules by enacting uniform laws across the state or within classes of counties. This constitutional change is designed to enhance local self-government effective July 2027, pending voter approval. [link]

The House adjourned to reconvene on January 23 at 11:00 AM.

The Senate adjourned to reconvene on January 23 at 2:30 PM.

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