06 Feb 2026 Kansas Statehouse Insider – Week Four
The Kansas Legislature entered the fourth week of the 2026 session with activity at the Statehouse picking up quickly as lawmakers worked to meet bill introduction deadlines. Between Monday, Feb. 2, and Friday, Feb. 6, more than 210 bills were introduced in the House and Senate, a typical surge in production as legislators file proposals ahead of key procedural cutoffs. The increase in bill introductions marks a shift in the session’s pace, with committees beginning to move beyond informational briefings and into more substantive policy discussions.
The growing volume of legislation reflects continued attention on issues affecting businesses and supply chains, including tax policy, energy and environmental programs, workforce and economic development.
With most bill introductions now complete, legislative focus will turn to committee hearings, amendments, and floor debate in the weeks leading up to Turnaround Day, when many policy bills must advance to remain alive for the remainder of the session.
Grain Theft
HB 2422 would increase the presumptive criminal penalty for theft of at least 400 bushels of grain to a severity level 6, non-person felony. This is a “border-box” penalty allowing either presumptive probation or imprisonment based on the defendant’s criminal history. After passing the House on a vote of 123-0, the bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Triple-Trailers on Highways
SB 411 would authorize the use of triple trailers on highways, increasing the allowable gross weight for such vehicle combinations and allowing the use of trailers with dealer license plates. The bill will be heard in the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
M&E Property Tax Exemption
SB 320 would remove the 2006 cut-off date for the commercial and industrial machinery and equipment property tax exemption. The Senate Tax Committee held a hearing on the bill and will take final action next week. The House Tax Committee heard, and then passed out favorably, a similar bill in HB 2406.
Property Tax Relief
The Senate Tax Committee advanced SCR 1616 favorably from committee. The bill proposes amending the Kansas Constitution to limit annual increases to the assessed valueof residential and commercial property (for tax purposes) to no more than 3%. The bill, which is on the Senate calendar pending further action, appears to have strong Senate support. As a constitutional question, the bill requires passage by a supermajority of the legislature but does not require the Governor’s signature. If passed by the legislature, the measure would appear as a ballot question on the next statewide ballot and become effective in 2027.
House’ Property Tax Relief Proposal
HB 2745, introduced by the House Tax Committee Chairman, would require a vote of the electors to approve increases in property tax revenues for the following year. It would also establish a $60M property tax relief fund and provide transfers to counties that limit property taxes to certain increases. It would establish a property tax limit in lieu of the revenue-neutral rate to provide for certain budget increases of taxing subdivisions, and would continue in existence the taxpayer notification costs fund. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday, February 12, in the House Tax Committee. A second bill, HB 2644, would require a county appraiser to adjust the value of residential and commercial property upon final determination or obtain a fee simple appraisal if the appraised value exceeds 5% increase over three years.
Corporate Income Tax Single Sales Factor Apportionment
HB 2442 would make additional changes concerning the apportionment of business income by manufacturers of alcoholic liquor.
Short Line Income Tax Credit
HB 2469 expands the transferability of the existing income tax credit for qualified shortline railroad track maintenance expenditures. The House Tax Committee held a hearing on the bill on Wednesday, February 4.
Lower Electric Utility Rates
HB 2483 was introduced at the request of a broad stakeholder coalition that seeks to lower electric utility rates for all rate payers. Referred to as the “TRUE” act, the bill seeks “transparency & Reform of Utility Expenditures.” The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications. A hearing on the bill is scheduled for Tuesday, February 10.
Earnings Tax Proposed
HB 2385 would authorize cities and counties to propose an earnings tax for ballot question and to levy such tax if approved by the electors of a city or county, requiring resubmission of the question, if approved, to the electors every 10 years, allowing certain credits and exemptions against the tax, providing for deductions by public and private employers of the tax from employee earnings and providing that revenue from any such tax be pledged for certain purposes. A hearing is scheduled in the House Tax Committee on February 9.
Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI)
HB 2642 would decouple the state from on specific portions of the federal code regarding GILTI and NCTI following passage of the federal OBBB. GILTI is a US tax provision aimed at ensuring that US taxpayers pay a minimum level of tax on foreign earnings, particularly those derived from intangible assets. The bill removes obsolete reference to global intangible low-taxed income provided for under the federal internal revenue code in determining Kansas adjusted gross income. A hearing is scheduled for February 10 in the House Tax Committee.
HPIP Reform / Tax Credit Repeal
The House Commerce Committee has scheduled a hearing on HB 2757 on Thursday, February 12. The bill would repeal or discontinue certain income tax credit incentives, extend the income tax credit for angel investors, and provide expanded options in the high-performance incentive program (HPIP) tax credit for tax credit transfers and wage requirements for rural businesses. The bill proposes the repeal of the following: alternative fuel tax credit, assistive technology contribution credit, biomass-to-energy plant tax credit and deduction, carbon dioxide capture and sequestration tax deduction, disabled access credit, electric cogeneration facility credit and deduction, employer health insurance contribution credit, environmental compliance credit, friends of cedar crest association credit, petroleum refinery credit, regional foundation credit, storage and blending equipment credit and deduction and swine facility improvement credit.
Rural Business Growth Act
HB 2541 would create the Kansas Rural Business Growth Program Act to provide a tax credit to incentivize capital investment in rural areas and a program administered by the Secretary of Commerce. A hearing on the bill is scheduled in the House Tax Committee on February 9.
Seed Retailer/Wholesaler Registration Fees
KDA has requested the introduction of SB 425 to increase maximum annual registration fees for seed wholesalers and retailers. The maximum seed wholesaler fee would be increased from $300 to $400, and the maximum seed retailer fee would be increased from $30 to $50. The bill would also institute a $25 fee for failing to timely renew your license. The fees had not been increased for many years. The proposed fees would cover the cost of the seed program. The bill is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Committee on Agriculture.
Pesticide Product Labeling Protections
Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association requested the introduction of HB 2476, a bill that would amend Kansas law to clarify that label language on any US EPA-registered pesticide products satisfies any state statutory or common law duty to warn of potential hazards. After passing from the House Ag Committee, the full House passed the bill out 81-36, with at least 5 conservative lawmakers absent for the vote.
State Water Plan
HB 2558, introduced by House Water Committee Chairman Minnix, would increase the amount of money transferred from the state general fund to the state water plan fund and from the state water plan fund to the water technical assistance fund and the water project grant fund. The bill would increase the amount of money transferred from the state general fund to the state water plan fund on July 1, 2026, July 1, 2027, July 1, 2028, July 1, 2029, and July 1, 2030. The bill would increase the statutory transfer from $35M per year to $60M per year.
New Conservation Funds
House Bill 2063 would seek to transfer funding into a new state conservation fund, working lands conservation fund, wildlife conservation fund, and Kansas Outdoors Fund in the State
Treasury. After an initial hearing last year, the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources amended the bill and passed it out favorably. As amended the bill would authorize a
$16 million transfer from the State Gaming Revenues Fund to the State Conservation Fund, which would then be distributed to the other funds.
Water Structures
KDA introduced HB 2114 last year to amend the Stream Obstruction Act in various ways. The bill would allow the state to provide inspections on a cost-for-service basis and provide for the certification of non-state entities to perform inspections for the state. The legislation would create application fees based on hazard class for new construction or modifications. The bill would require any licensed professional engineer who conducts inspections required by the act to be approved by the chief engineer, and would add a civil penalty of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 per violation. The House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources will take final action on the bill on Tuesday, February 10.
Pump Installation Contractor License
HB 2424 would establish a new license requirement for any pump installation contractor and require such pump installation contractor to pass qualification examinations. The bill would also create new record-keeping requirements for licensed pump installation contractors and water well contractors. The House Water Committee amended the bill and passed it out favorably.
County Authority over Water Transfer
Rep. Wasinger (R-Hays) introduced HB 2433 to clarify county authority over the transfer or appropriation of water by placing such authority, except for domestic use, with the chief engineer and water transfer hearing panel. In the House Committee on Local Government, the Kansas Rural Water Association joined a number of proponents. The Committee passed the bill out favorably on February 3, and the full House will debate the bill on February 9.
PFAS Regulations
HB 2674 was introduced by Rep. Bohi and referred to the House Committee on Health and Human Services. The bill would prohibit certain products that contain intentionally added PFAS and require disclosure of information and the testing of products that contain intentionally added PFAS and are sold, offered for sale, distributed or distributed for sale in this state. The bill exempts FIFRA-regulated products.
Food Additives in School Food
SB 390 would prohibit the following additives in food provided by schools as part of certain food service programs and requiring schools to certify that school facilities do not serve food that contains such food additives: Brominated vegetable oil, BVO; Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA); potassium bromate; Propylparaben; Azodicarbonamide; titanium dioxide; FD&C blue No. 1; FD&C blue no. 2; FD&C green no. 3; FD&C red no. 3, FD&C red no. 40; FD&C yellow no. 5; or FD&C yellow no. 6. The Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing on the bill where multiple conferees requested that the bill be amended to remove the reference to BHA. The Committee will take final action next week.A similar bill,HB 2425, was introduced by Rep.KevinSchwertzfeger, but is unlikely to receive a hearing.
Theft of Livestock and Implements of Husbandry
Introduced by Rep.Steele, HB 2413 would increase the presumptive criminal penalty for the theft of livestock or implements of husbandry to a severity level 5, non-person felony, which is presumptive imprisonment. The bill defines “livestock” as meaning “cattle and horses”. After passing the House on a vote of 120-3, the bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
EV Equity Road Repair Tax
HB 2414 was introduced to establish the EV energy equity road repair tax act and provide for a road repair tax on electricity distributed from a public charging station for electric vehicles. The bill was referred to the House Transportation Committee.
English Proficiency for Commercial Drivers
HB 2583 would require commercial motor vehicle drivers to possess certain identification documents and proficiency of the English language while operating a commercial motor vehicle and establishing fines and penalties for violations. The bill will be heard in the House Transportation Committee on Thursday, February 12. A hearing was also held on HB 2448, requiring a person’s citizenship status to be listed on their driver’s license.
Critical Infrastructure Protection – Countries of Concern
SB 453 would enact the Kansas critical infrastructure protection act to prohibit access to state critical infrastructure by countries of concern and the acquisition of critical software and other technology used in state infrastructure from countries of concern.
Wind, Solar, Battery Decommissioning
SB 417 would establish requirements for the development, construction, modification, maintenance, operation and decommissioning of certain industrial energy facilities and providing jurisdiction to the state corporation commission to control and permit such development, construction, modification, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of such facilities. The bill was brought at the request of the Kansas Farm Bureau and Kansas Livestock Association. A companion bill was introduced in the House as HB 2636.
Natural Gas Infrastructure
HB 2435 was introduced to enact the natural gas infrastructure availability act to authorize natural gas public utilities to defer to a regulatory asset all depreciation expense and carrying cost for any new plant, facilities, or equipment that such utility has put into service, and authorize recovery of such regulatory asset via an interim rate adjustment mechanism. The House Energy and Utilities Committee held a hearing on January 22.
Paid Sick Leave
An organization “Paid Leave for All Kansans” has requested introduction of HB 2597, a bill that would require paid sick leave for all employees working in Kansas.
Portable Benefit Plans for Independent Contractors
HB 2602 would establish requirements for a portable benefit plan for independent contractors, determining types of contributions to such plans and providing a subtraction modification for Kansas income tax purposes. A hearing is scheduled in the House Insurance Committee on Monday, February 9.
Judicial Deference to Regulatory Agencies
Governor Laura Kelly signed HB 2183 into law. The bill prohibits a state court or an administrative hearing officer from deferring to a regulatory agency’s interpretation of certain statutes, rules or regulations. While the court or officer could consider the agency’s interpretation, they would be required to interpret the meaning and effect of such statute, rules and regulation, or document, de novo using their own reasoning independent of the agency’s interpretation.
Tort Reform – Prohibiting Practice of Jury Anchoring
SB 413 was introduced to prohibit the practice, known as “jury anchoring,” where legal counsel suggest a large damage amount for noneconomic loss in civil action for the purpose of increasing the negotiated damage award. The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on February 5, where the bill was supported by various business stakeholder groups.
Tort Reform – Adopting Certain Federal Expert Witness Rules of Evidence
SB 398 was introduced to require a proponent to demonstrate that it is more likely than not that certain specialized knowledge will help the trier of fact to understand evidence before certain qualified witnesses may testify. The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on February 5, where the bill was supported by various business stakeholder groups.
Attorney General Litigation Review
HB 2593 was requested by the Kansas Attorney General to require any political subdivision of the state to hold an open meeting to discuss a contingency fee contract for legal services and require the attorney general to approve such contracts. A hearing is scheduled in the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 10.
Additional Bills:
HB 2456 Authorizing cities / counties 0% sales tax authority on food and food ingredients
HB 2458 Requiring the approval of property tax levies and bond issuances by elected bodies or electors
HB 2463 creating the rural health transformation fund
HB 2465 professionals’ freedom of expression act to provide protection for professionals and businesses against adverse action as a result of an expression of beliefs
HB 2476 Pesticide Label language duty to warn
HB 2484 repealing the sunset on the Kansas promise scholarship program
HB 2491 requiring quarterly reports from state agencies about noncitizens receiving public benefits
HB 2498 making driving commercial vehicle under the influence a person crime
HB 2516 allowing for the appointment of county appraisers
HB 2517 Leavenworth County Sales Tax
HB 2580 KS International Trade Commission (Ireland, Japan, Taiwan)
HB 2600 Affordable Healthcare for Kansans Program
HB 2629 increasing the standard deduction for personal income tax
HB 2631 increasing property tax exemption from school levy for residential property
HB 2641 property rights protection act to require just compensation to landowners for gov actions
HB 2647 enacting a statewide fiber system
HB 2649 KS empowerment savings program, allowing employees to contribute to IRAs
HB 2650 concerning noncompete agreements
HB 2664 private energy campus act
HB 2678 medical cannabis
HB 2679 adult use of cannabis
HB 2701 Permitting nonuniform zoning regulations within a zoning district
HB 2745 Requiring vote of electors to approve increases in property tax revenues, establishing the property tax relief fund and providing transfers to counties
HB 2764 prohibiting employment security law provisions through budget provisos
SB 324 Prohibiting mobile telephone use while operating motor vehicle in school or construction zones
SB 329 Requiring county appraiser to submit a single property appraisal report at the BOTA valuation appeal
SB 348 exempting public utilities owned by Electric Coop from KCC oversight
SB 365 authorizing the election of county appraisers
SB 437 tech college task force
SB 439 Utility Railroad Crossing Act, process for utilities to interact with Railroad right of way
SB 449 clean air preservation act to prohibit solar radiation modification, geoengineering, weather modification
SB 454 crush transnational repression in Kansas act
SB 462 Prohibiting certain public nuisance claims
SB 463 Prohibiting certain person from recovering damages in certain civil actions
SB 484 moving marijuana from schedule 1 to schedule 2
SCR 1616 amending section 1 of article 11 of the Kansas Constitution to limit property tax assessed value increases for real property in any subclass and personal property classified as mobile homes. For tax year 2027, the final taxable assessed value of such property shall not increase by more than 3%, or a lesser percentage as provided by law, as compared to the tax year 2022 assessed value of such propertyunless an exception applies since tax year 2022, and in the event such property was not listed for taxation for tax year 2022, the final taxable assessed value of such property shall not increase by 4 more than 3%, or a lesser percentage as provided by law, as compared to the tax year 2026 assessed value of such property unless an exception applies.