Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2015

Introduced
1/16/25  
Refer
1/16/25  

Caption

Directing the secretary for children and families to request a waiver from supplemental nutrition assistance program rules that would allow the state to prohibit the purchase of candy and soft drinks with food assistance.

Impact

The bill seeks to create more stringent guidelines on the types of food eligible for purchase under the food assistance program, reflecting a growing awareness of the health implications associated with certain food items, such as sugary snacks and beverages. Additionally, it establishes clear penalties for non-compliance with various work-related requirements for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), thereby impacting the eligibility of individuals based on their adherence to these new rules. This regulatory framework aims to foster greater accountability and to ensure that public funds are used to promote healthy living.

Summary

House Bill 2015, presented by the Committee on Welfare Reform, aims to amend existing state laws governing public assistance in Kansas, specifically addressing food assistance programs. A notable aspect of the bill is its directive for the Secretary for Children and Families to seek a waiver that would allow the state to restrict the purchase of candy and soft drinks with food assistance benefits. This initiative targets nutritional standards within the food assistance program, reinforcing the state's commitment to promoting healthier choices among beneficiaries.

Contention

Contention surrounding HB 2015 likely stems from concerns about the implications of restricting food choices for low-income families. Critics may argue that limitations on specific items can hinder the dignity and discretion of individuals utilizing food assistance, especially in light of personal preferences and cultural dietary needs. Furthermore, the implementation of drug testing for assistance recipients has raised ethical concerns about stigmatization and the potential for access barriers for those already facing financial hardships. Opponents might question whether these measures are justified and effective in stimulating improvements in public health and resource management.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS HB2002

Expanding medical assistance eligibility and enacting the cutting healthcare costs for all Kansans act.

KS SB2

Eliminating the income limit to qualify for the subtraction modification exempting social security benefits, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, citing the increased property tax homestead refund claim section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, decreasing the normal privilege tax rate, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, decreasing the rate of ad valorem tax imposed by a school district; providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund, reducing the state rate of tax on sales of food and food ingredients and modifying the percent credited to the state highway fund from revenue collected.

KS HB2001

Authorizing the secretary of commerce to enter into agreements with major professional sports franchises to establish STAR bond projects for a major professional sports complex, providing for additional revenue sources, expanding the powers and discretion of the secretary and making other changes to the STAR bonds financing act to facilitate such projects, limiting the secretary’s authority to approve such projects to one year unless extended by the legislative coordinating council, authorizing the Kansas development finance authority to issue STAR bonds for such projects, transferring funds under certain circumstances from the state gaming revenues fund to the attracting professional sports to Kansas fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and, if approved by the legislative coordinating council, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

KS SB7

Authorizing federally licensed firearm dealers, in addition to county sheriffs, to receive applications for concealed carry licenses and forward such applications to the attorney general, prohibiting sheriffs from assessing any fee related to application services and allowing dealers to assess a fee related to application services not to exceed $20.

KS HB2003

Establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, modifying the definition of household income and increasing the appraised value threshold for eligibility of seniors and disabled veterans related to increased property tax claims and citing the section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, providing property tax exemptions for certain personal property including watercraft, marine equipment, off-road vehicles, motorized bicycles and certain trailers, excluding internal revenue code section 1031 exchange transactions as indicators of fair market value, providing for certain exclusions from the prohibition of paying taxes under protest after a valuation notice appeal and providing four prior years' values on the annual valuation notice.

KS SB8

Exempting the sale of firearms, firearms accessories, ammunition, firearm safes and firearm safety devices from the retatilers' sales tax.

KS SB1

Modifying income tax rates for individuals, exempting all social security benefits from Kansas income tax, increasing the Kansas standard deduction and the Kansas personal exemption, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, decreasing the privilege tax normal tax, excluding internal revenue code section 1031 exchange transactions as indicators of fair market value for property tax valuation purposes, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund and abolishing the local ad valorem tax reduction fund and the county and city revenue sharing fund.

KS SCR1604

Proposing to amend section 1 of article 11 of the constitution of the state of Kansas to limit property tax valuation increases for real property and personal property mobile homes.

KS SB6

Providing a sales tax exemption for sales of electricity to residential premises by municipally owned or operated utilities.

KS SCR1601

Informing the Governor that the two houses of the Legislature are organized and ready to receive communications.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.