Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2124

Introduced
1/28/25  
Refer
1/28/25  
Report Pass
2/7/25  
Engrossed
2/18/25  
Refer
2/20/25  
Report Pass
3/5/25  
Enrolled
4/9/26  

Caption

Providing cities the authority to allow the driving of golf carts upon sidewalks and permitting local authorities with jurisdiction over city residence districts to reduce the maximum speed limit from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour without an engineering and traffic investigation.

Impact

The introduction of HB 2124 signifies a notable shift towards greater local control over traffic regulations, which could lead to more tailored responses to community needs. By enabling local governments to reduce speed limits without the burden of conducting extensive studies, the bill aims to streamline the process of enhancing safety in residential neighborhoods. Furthermore, by allowing golf carts on sidewalks under certain conditions, the bill may promote alternative forms of transportation in urban areas, fostering a more community-friendly atmosphere.

Summary

House Bill 2124 focuses on modifying traffic regulations in Kansas by granting local authorities the ability to lower the maximum speed limit in residential districts from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour without needing an engineering and traffic investigation. Additionally, it permits city governments to allow the operation of golf carts on sidewalks, provided that specific criteria are met. The intention behind these modifications is to enhance safety measures in residential areas, particularly regarding pedestrian traffic and overall neighborhood safety.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 2124 appears generally favorable among proponents, particularly those representing local governments and communities who see the bill as an opportunity for increased autonomy in managing local traffic issues. However, there are concerns from safety advocates regarding the potential risks associated with permitting golf carts on sidewalks and the implications of reduced speed limits, particularly in relation to pedestrian safety. Overall, the discussion around the bill underscores a collective desire for enhanced safety while balancing the practicality of local governance.

Contention

Notable points of contention arise from the potential safety implications of allowing golf carts on sidewalks, which critics argue could endanger pedestrians, especially in densely populated or high-traffic areas. Additionally, the bill's flexibility in lowering speed limits may provoke debate about uniformity in traffic regulations across the state. Opponents may question whether local decisions might create inconsistencies in road safety standards or if the easing of regulations might lead to unintended consequences, affecting overall traffic safety.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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 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 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 SB6

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

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 SB5

Authorizing counties to impose an earnings tax.

KS HB2004

Authorizing counties to propose an earnings tax for ballot question.

KS SB8

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

KS HR6002

Providing for assignment of seats in the House of Representatives for the 2024 special session of the Legislature.

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