Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2602

Introduced
1/29/26  
Refer
1/29/26  
Report Pass
2/11/26  
Engrossed
2/18/26  
Refer
2/19/26  
Refer
2/25/26  
Refer
2/26/26  
Report Pass
3/17/26  
Enrolled
3/26/26  

Caption

Establishing requirements for a portable benefit plan for independent contractors, determining types of contributions to such plans and providing a subtraction modification for Kansas income tax purposes.

Impact

This bill significantly impacts the landscape of labor and employment in Kansas by creating a framework within which independent contractors can access various types of employment benefits typically not afforded to them. By allowing contributions to these portable benefit plans, the legislation aims to provide these workers with more financial security, enabling them to save for healthcare and retirement needs. However, the bill also conveys that these contributions cannot be considered when determining a contractor's employment classification, which maintains the distinction between employees and independent contractors.

Summary

House Bill 2602 establishes requirements for portable benefit plans specifically designed for independent contractors in Kansas. The bill outlines the types of contributions that can be made to such plans, which may include health insurance, income replacement, disability insurance, life insurance, and retirement benefits. Additionally, the bill provides a subtraction modification for Kansas income tax purposes concerning contributions to these portable benefit plans, effectively incentivizing independent contractors and hiring parties to participate in these new financial structures.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding HB2602 is predominantly positive among supporters who view the legislation as a progressive step toward enhancing the welfare of independent workers. Proponents argue that it offers necessary protections and benefits that align more with traditional employment situations, thereby supporting a more equitable labor environment. However, some skepticism exists regarding the implementation and funding of such plans, as well as concerns that they may not fully substitute for traditional employer-provided benefits.

Contention

Despite its advantages, some concerns have been raised about the potential for creating disparities in benefits between independent contractors and traditional employees. Questions about how these portable benefit plans will be administered, the role of hiring parties in contributing to these plans, and their impact on overall job market dynamics have sparked several debates. Stakeholders are particularly interested in how these plans will be integrated alongside existing state laws and what regulatory frameworks will ensure their fairness and accessibility.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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 HB2002

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

KS SB6

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

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 SB8

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

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.