Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2280

Introduced
2/5/25  
Refer
2/5/25  
Report Pass
2/11/25  
Engrossed
2/19/25  
Refer
2/20/25  
Report Pass
3/13/25  
Enrolled
4/10/25  

Caption

Adding a citation to the code of federal regulations to the definition of veteran and disabled veteran and removing the active requirement from military service members for occupational licensure.

Impact

The bill's provisions are expected to significantly impact state laws regarding the licensure of veterans and servicemembers. By aligning definitions with federal standards and eliminating the active requirement, the bill opens doors for many military personnel to obtain licenses more readily, potentially filling gaps in various professional fields that face personnel shortages. It may also serve to honor and support the contributions of veterans by enhancing their employability and integration into civilian life.

Summary

House Bill 2280 aims to modify the definition of 'veteran' and 'disabled veteran,' aligning state law with federal regulations by incorporating specific citations from the Code of Federal Regulations. Additionally, it seeks to remove the active-duty service requirement for military servicemembers when applying for occupational licensure in Kansas. This change is intended to streamline the licensure process for those who have served in the armed forces, making it easier for veterans and military personnel to enter the workforce in Kansas.

Sentiment

The general sentiment around HB 2280 has been supportive among veteran advocacy groups and those concerned with the integration of military personnel into the state's workforce. Proponents argue that the bill recognizes the sacrifices of servicemembers and provides them with the necessary tools to succeed in civilian occupations. However, some concerns have been raised about the potential implications of altering licensing requirements, suggesting that the bill should ensure rigorous standards are maintained for public safety.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the balance between facilitating access to occupational licensure for veterans and ensuring that public safety is not compromised by relaxing requirements. Critics may express the need for caution, arguing that licensure standards should still reflect adequate training and qualifications. Moreover, discussions might also center on the implications of such changes on current professionals and how they might affect the job market within specific sectors.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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 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 SB8

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

KS HB2002

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

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 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 SR1702

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

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.