Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2596

Introduced
1/29/26  
Refer
1/29/26  
Report Pass
2/17/26  
Engrossed
2/25/26  
Refer
2/26/26  
Report Pass
3/18/26  
Enrolled
4/9/26  

Caption

Permitting the secretary of corrections to enter into certain contracts for the production of manufactured or modular homes for a pilot program at the Hutchinson correctional facility under the prison-made goods act.

Impact

If enacted, HB 2596 will amend existing laws under the prison-made goods act of Kansas, specifically allowing for the establishment of a home-building program at the Hutchinson facility. This could lead to significant changes in how correctional institutions engage with community needs, providing both vocational training and contributing to housing solutions. Moreover, the bill stipulates that private entities contracting with the corrections department will bear the costs associated with the projects, which may foster partnerships that enhance resource management within the program.

Summary

House Bill 2596 focuses on empowering the secretary of corrections to develop contracts for the production of manufactured or modular homes at the Hutchinson correctional facility. This bill also aims to implement a pilot program that integrates vocational training in construction with a nationally recognized certification for participants. The initiative not only serves to enhance the skills of individuals preparing for reintegration into society after incarceration but also addresses the increasing demand for affordable housing through the production of modular homes.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 2596 appears to be generally positive among legislators, especially those focused on rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through job training and skill development. Supporters argue that this program could provide meaningful opportunities for inmates, better preparing them for life after prison, while also addressing the housing needs within the state. However, potential concerns may arise regarding the quality of construction and the competition with private-sector housing solutions, highlighting a need for careful oversight.

Contention

One point of contention involves the scope and effectiveness of the pilot program as outlined in the bill. Critics may question whether the initiative will create genuine vocational opportunities or simply serve as a cost-effective means for housing production lacking adequate market viability. Additionally, the stipulation preventing any tax waivers for nonprofit organizations involved in housing retention could raise concerns regarding the financial feasibility of such collaborations, leading to debates on fiscal policy and welfare support.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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 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 SB6

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

KS HB2002

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

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 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 SB3

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

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