Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2422

Introduced

1/12/26

Refer

1/12/26

Report Pass

1/23/26

Engrossed

1/28/26

Refer

1/29/26

Report Pass

3/3/26

Caption

Providing that the theft of grain or hay is a severity level 6, nonperson felony.

Impact

By reclassifying the theft of grain as a felony, HB 2422 aims to enhance protections for farmers and agribusinesses against theft, which has been a rising issue. The new provision reflects a growing acknowledgment of the importance of safeguarding agricultural resources, as they play a crucial role in the state's economy and food supply. This heightened classification signals to both law enforcement and potential offenders that the state prioritizes the protection of agricultural assets, seeking to deter theft through stricter penalties.

Summary

House Bill 2422, presented by Representative Schwertfeger, establishes that the theft of grain is classified as a severity level 6, nonperson felony under Kansas law. This bill amends existing legislation related to theft and sets new parameters specifically concerning agricultural products, which previously did not have such distinct legal classifications. The measure aims to address and provide a legal framework for the increasing concerns around theft within the agricultural sector, particularly grain which is a vital resource in Kansas.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 2422 appears largely supportive among stakeholders in the agricultural community. Farmers and advocates for the agriculture industry have expressed approval for the bill, seeing it as a necessary step to combat the financial strains that theft can impose on farming operations. However, there may be some concerns regarding the implications of harsher penalties, particularly among those who may fear an overly punitive approach to non-violent property crimes.

Contention

Notably, there may be contention relating to how the bill defines 'grain' and the specific thresholds that establish the severity of theft charges. While some legislatures advocate for clear definitions to avoid loopholes, others might raise concerns about the potential for harsh penalties on minor infractions. As the bill moves through legislative processes, debates could arise regarding the balance between deterrence and creating overly stringent laws that may disproportionately affect individuals committing minor offenses.

Latest KS HB2422 Activity

View All Events: KS 2025-2026 Regular Session HB2422

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SB6

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

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 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 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 SR1701

Providing for the organization of the Senate for the 2024 special session of the Legislature.

KS HR6001

Providing for the organization of the House of Representatives for the 2024 special session of the Legislature.

KS SCR1601

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

Similar Bills

KS HB2347

Changing the culpability required for certain types of theft and increasing the criminal penalty for theft to a felony when the property is a motor vehicle of the value of at least $500.

KS HB2253

Making the theft of livestock or implements of husbandry a severity level 5, nonperson felony.

KS HB2413

Enhancing the criminal penalty for an offense committed with the intent to commit transnational repression, requiring the development of transnational repression recognition and response training, providing that theft of livestock or implements of husbandry is a severity level 5, nonperson felony, providing that the theft of grain or hay is a severity level 6, nonperson felony and providing that certain portions of the crime of cruelty to animals do not apply to any person who catches a feral cat to provide vaccination, spaying or neutering and returns such cat back to the location where such cat is caught.

KS HB2331

Creating the crime of aggravated criminal desecration and providing penalties therefor, authorizing the disposition of the unclaimed remains of deceased persons by district coroners and providing exemptions from liability for such actions, establishing requirements for programs of continuing education for licensed embalmers and funeral directors and authorizing the use of the word "crematory" as part of the business name for businesses owned by the same person who owns a licensed crematory.

KS HB2324

Increasing the criminal penalty for possessing or refusing to surrender any firearm in or on any school property or grounds.

KS HB2018

Senate Substitute for HB 2018 by Committee on Federal and State Affairs - Creating the crime of interference with the conduct of a religious assembly, providing criminal penalties therefor and providing for a civil cause of action for damages.