Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2697

Introduced
2/4/26  

Caption

Modifying the crime of unlawful acts involving theft detection shielding devices to include possessing, with the intent to commit theft, a computer program, application, software or other device adapted, designed or commonly used to operate a lock or locks on or start a motor vehicle without an ignition key or key fob, or to copy, store information relating to, or interfere with those functions and providing for exceptions.

Notes

The bill reflects a proactive approach to tackle the confluence of technology and criminal activity, addressing both the current landscape of vehicle theft and anticipating future challenges as technology continues to advance. Its passage could signal a significant shift in legislative focus towards the intersection of technology and criminal justice.

Impact

The implications of HB 2697 are significant for state laws regarding theft and criminal actions related to vehicle security. By broadening the scope of what constitutes unlawful actions concerning vehicle operation, the bill is designed to close loopholes that previously may have allowed individuals to evade prosecution by exploiting technology. The legislation aims to deter potential theft by addressing not just physical intrusion but also the technological means by which theft can occur.

Summary

House Bill 2697 seeks to modify the existing criminal statutes surrounding unlawful acts related to theft detection shielding devices. Specifically, the bill expands the definition of unlawful acts to include the possession, with the intent to commit theft, of various computer programs, applications, software, or devices that are intended to operate vehicles without proper key access. This change reflects growing concerns over vehicle theft facilitated by increasingly sophisticated technology that enables bypassing traditional security measures.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding this bill could arise from debates about the balance between security and privacy, as the legislation touches upon advanced technology that might be used for legitimate purposes. Critics might argue that overly broad definitions could impinge on the rights of individuals who possess such technology for non-criminal reasons, such as automotive repair or security testing. Furthermore, discussions may also center around the adequacy of existing laws versus the need for new legislation in the ever-evolving landscape of automotive security.

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 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 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 SR1701

Providing for the organization of the Senate for the 2024 special session of the Legislature.

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 HR6001

Providing for the organization of the House of Representatives for the 2024 special session of the Legislature.

KS SB8

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

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 SCR1601

Informing the Governor that the two houses of the Legislature are organized and ready to receive communications.

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.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.