Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2588

Introduced
1/28/26  
Refer
1/29/26  
Report Pass
2/17/26  
Engrossed
2/25/26  
Refer
2/26/26  

Caption

Providing for statewide electrician licensing by the state fire marshal.

Impact

The implementation of HB 2588 is expected to have significant implications for the field of electrical work and related professions within the state. By centralizing licensure under a state board, the bill would eliminate varying local requirements and create a uniform standard for electricians. This could facilitate easier movement for licensed electricians looking to work in different jurisdictions within the state, promoting a more fluid labor market. However, this change may also raise concerns about job availability for those who currently work under local licensing frameworks that may not align with the new state regulations.

Summary

House Bill 2588 proposes to establish a statewide licensing system for electricians overseen by the Board of Technical Professions. The bill aims to standardize the licensing process across the state to ensure that electricians meet consistent qualifications and adhere to uniform safety standards. Advocates for the bill argue that it will improve public safety and ensure that all electricians operate under the same set of regulations, thus protecting consumers and ensuring quality work. The proposed legislation includes provisions for both initial licensing and renewals, detailing the criteria and processes involved.

Conclusion

In summary, HB 2588 represents a shift towards a more centralized regulatory approach to electrical licensing in the state. While it promises to enhance safety and standardization, the repercussions on local industries and employment practices are points of active debate among legislators and stakeholders. Balancing safety with local business interests will be crucial as the bill progresses through the legislative process.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support from professional organizations advocating for a standardized approach to electrician licensing, some stakeholders express opposition, fearing that the new system could disproportionately impact smaller, local electrical businesses. Critics argue that imposing statewide requirements may lead to increased costs and administrative burdens, particularly for small operators or those who may struggle with the new criteria. Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding the need for local input in determining the specifics of the licensing process, which some feel could mitigate issues related to regional disparities in electrical work.

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 SB8

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

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 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 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 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 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 HCR5002

Providing for the adjournment sine die of the 2024 special session of the Legislature.

KS HB2002

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

Similar Bills

DE SB102

An Act To Amend Title 24 Of The Delaware Code Relating To The Board Of Electrical Examiners.

AZ SB1303

electricians; registration; requirements

ID H0153

Amends existing law to provide for dual master electrician and journeyman electrician licensure issuance.

ID H0214

Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding electrical contractor supervision and to define a term.

ME LD509

An Act to Allow a Journeyman Electrician to Supervise 3 Helper Electricians

CA AB1707

Electricians: certification application, examination, and renewal.

PA SB1260

Providing for licensure of electrical contractors, electricians, residential electricians, apprentice electricians and probationary electricians; establishing the State Board of Electrical Licensure; providing for powers and duties of the board; establishing fees, fines and penalties; and making an appropriation.

TX HB1874

Relating to the scope of work a master electrician is authorized to perform.