Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2050

Introduced
1/21/25  
Refer
1/21/25  
Report Pass
1/30/25  
Engrossed
2/7/25  
Refer
2/10/25  
Report Pass
3/12/25  
Enrolled
4/10/25  

Caption

Authorizing the commissioner of insurance to set the amount of certain fees and cause the publication of such fees in the Kansas register, authorizing the commissioner to reduce the number of board members on certain insurance-related boards, renaming the Kansas insurance department as the Kansas department of insurance, renaming the office of the securities commissioner as the department of insurance, securities division, renaming the securities commissioner as the department of insurance, assistant commissioner, securities division and eliminating the requirement of senate confirmation for appointees to such position, requiring the commissioner of insurance to maintain a list of eligible nonadmitted insurers and authorizing such nonadmitted insurers to transact business in Kansas with vehicle dealers and to provide excess coverage insurance on Kansas risks.

Impact

If enacted, HB2050 would modernize various aspects of the insurance regulatory framework in Kansas, particularly by allowing the commissioner more flexibility in fee-setting and reducing bureaucratic overhead. Encouraging the involvement of nonadmitted insurers may expand market opportunities for vehicle dealers and enhance the availability of coverage. However, these changes may also shift more regulatory power towards the state's insurance commissioner, raising concerns among those advocating for checks on administrative authority.

Summary

House Bill 2050 proposes significant changes to the structure and operational authority of the Kansas Department of Insurance. It includes provisions for the commissioner of insurance to set and publish certain fees, reduce the number of appointed board members on insurance-related boards, and maintain a list of eligible nonadmitted insurers. The bill also allows nonadmitted insurers to transact business with vehicle dealers, which has implications for coverage options in the Kansas insurance market. Renaming the department reflects a broader consolidation of regulatory functions intended to streamline operations within the sector.

Sentiment

Discussions around the bill suggest a mix of support and concern. Proponents argue that the bill simplifies regulations and can potentially lead to lower costs for consumers by enhancing competition through the involvement of nonadmitted insurers. Conversely, critics worry the bill centralizes too much power in the commissioner's office and could undermine oversight. The debate highlights the tension between regulatory efficiency and ensuring comprehensive consumer protection in the insurance landscape.

Contention

A notable point of contention lies in the proposed balance of power between the insurance commissioner and the boards overseeing insurance operations. Some legislators express concern that reducing board members might limit diverse perspectives in decision-making on insurance matters. Additionally, the authority granted to the commissioner to set fees could lead to increased costs if not monitored, prompting calls for transparency in how these changes will be implemented and their potential effects on both consumers and the insurance market.

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 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 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 SCR1602

Approving the creation of a port authority in Wyandotte County Kansas.

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 SCR1603

Proposing to amend section 1 of article 11 of the constitution of the state of Kansas to limit property tax valuation increases for residential property.

KS SR1702

A resolution honoring the life, career and trailblazing achievements of Kansas icon Ed Dwight.

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 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 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.

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