Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2449

Introduced
1/15/26  

Caption

Authorizing the removal of a voter from voter registration rolls if such voter is issued a driver's license by another state and requiring attestation on voter registration form that obtaining a foreign driver's license constitutes a change in residency for voting purposes.

Impact

If enacted, HB 2449 is expected to alter the foundations of voter registration practices by introducing a criterion based on the possession of out-of-state driver's licenses. This shift could lead to many voters being removed from registration lists, potentially impacting their ability to participate in elections. The discussions around this legislation indicate concerns about its implications on voter accessibility and representation, especially among populations that frequently relocate between states, such as students and transient workers.

Summary

House Bill 2449 revolves around the regulation of voter registration in the context of individuals holding driver's licenses from other states. The bill proposes that if a voter is issued a driver's license by a state other than Texas, their name may be removed from the state's voter registration rolls. This legislation is rooted in the aim of maintaining updated and accurate voter records, ensuring that individuals registered to vote are genuinely residents of Texas.

Contention

The bill has sparked debate regarding potential disenfranchisement of voters. Supporters argue that it is a necessary measure to ensure the integrity of the voter rolls and to prevent individuals from voting in multiple states, thus safeguarding elections. Opponents, however, voice concern that the bill could disproportionately affect certain demographics, particularly younger voters and those who move often, leading to unintended consequences where eligible voters may find themselves unable to vote due to being removed from the rolls without adequate notice.

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 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 SB4

Requiring all advance voting ballots be returned by 7:00 p.m. on election day.

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 HB2004

Authorizing counties to propose an earnings tax for ballot question.

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 SB5

Authorizing counties to impose an earnings tax.

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 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 SB3

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

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.