Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2626

Introduced
2/2/26  
Refer
2/2/26  
Report Pass
2/16/26  
Engrossed
2/25/26  
Refer
2/26/26  
Report Pass
3/16/26  
Enrolled
4/9/26  

Caption

Directing the capitol preservation committee to develop and approve plans for a registry kiosk of Kansas military forces killed in action or who died of wounds incurred during active duty to be placed within the state capitol, enacting the safeguarding American veteran empowerment (SAVE) act to limit compensation for assisting in veterans benefits matters, establishing the Kansas military affairs commission and prescribing the powers and duties thereof, expanding veterans preference in government employment to include current members of the national guard and such members' eligible spouses and permissive preference in private employment to include current servicemembers and such members’ eligible spouses.

Impact

The legislation introduces amendments to existing laws, thereby updating the definitions and qualifications for veterans' preferences in government employment. Moreover, it creates a framework to streamline processes for veterans seeking employment, emphasizing equal opportunity regardless of age or disability. The bill also seeks to protect veterans from predatory practices by regulating compensation for services related to veterans' benefits. This combination of measures highlights a significant shift towards more robust support mechanisms for veterans within Kansas.

Summary

House Bill 2626 is focused on enhancing benefits and preferences for veterans, servicemembers, and their spouses in Kansas. A key feature of this bill is the establishment of a registry kiosk in the state capitol to honor military personnel who have died in combat or from injuries sustained during active duty. Additionally, the bill aims to improve veteran employment opportunities by expanding hiring preferences in state and private sectors, specifically for those currently serving in the National Guard and their spouses. This reflects a broader commitment to support those who have served in the military and their families.

Sentiment

The discussions around HB 2626 portray a largely positive sentiment toward the bill, as it is seen as a vital measure that acknowledges the sacrifices of military personnel. Legislators expressed appreciation for the bill's intent to protect and empower veterans and their families while reinforcing the state's commitment to honoring those who have served. The support indicates a bipartisan recognition of the importance of veteran services, although there could be some challenges concerning the practical implementation of the expanded preferences.

Contention

While the bill is largely supported, there may be points of contention regarding how the expanded preferences will be implemented and managed in private sectors. Questions about the long-term financial implications of these changes on state employment practices may arise. Moreover, the regulation of compensation for benefits assistance is critical to ensure fairness in the system, potentially leading to discussions about how this will impact associations that provide such services to veterans. The balance between providing adequate support and safeguarding taxpayers' interests represents an ongoing discussion as the bill progresses.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS HB2002

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

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 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 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 SCR1602

Approving the creation of a port authority in Wyandotte County Kansas.

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 SR1702

A resolution honoring the life, career and trailblazing achievements of Kansas icon Ed Dwight.

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.