Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2217

Introduced
2/3/25  
Refer
2/3/25  
Report Pass
2/17/25  
Refer
2/18/25  
Refer
2/27/25  
Report Pass
3/5/25  
Engrossed
3/12/25  
Refer
3/13/25  
Report Pass
3/18/25  
Enrolled
3/25/25  
Vetoed
4/10/25  

Caption

Expanding the scope of the inspector general to audit and investigate all state cash, food or health assistance programs and granting the inspector general the power to subpoena, administer oaths and execute search warrants thereto.

Impact

The implications of HB 2217 are significant for state laws governing the operation of welfare programs. By amending existing statutes, the bill increases the inspector general's jurisdiction, making it imperative for state agencies and contractors to adhere to heightened scrutiny over their compliance with federal and state regulations. Moreover, this broader oversight authority is aimed at deterring fraud, waste, and abuse within state assistance programs, which has been a central concern for many stakeholders involved in healthcare and social welfare.

Summary

House Bill 2217 seeks to expand the powers of the inspector general within the state of Kansas by enabling a comprehensive oversight mechanism for all state cash, food, and health assistance programs. The bill grants the inspector general the authority to audit and investigate these programs more effectively, thereby enhancing accountability and integrity in their operations. This objective aligns with ongoing efforts to improve the state's governance and safeguard public funds through systematic review and analysis.

Contention

While the bill is generally supported for its aim to protect state funds and improve the efficiency of public service delivery, some concerns have been raised regarding the balance of power and the potential for overreach by the inspector general's office. Critics suggest that with expanded authority, there could be a risk of increased bureaucratic controls over local programs that may stifle service delivery. Thus, the implementation of this bill will likely require close monitoring to ensure that its benefits are realized without compromising the operational autonomy of local agencies.

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 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 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 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 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 SB3

Clarifying the procedures and restrictions on accepting a nomination for an elected office.

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.