Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2739

Introduced
2/6/26  
Refer
2/6/26  
Report Pass
2/17/26  
Engrossed
2/25/26  
Refer
2/26/26  
Report Pass
3/17/26  
Enrolled
4/9/26  

Caption

Relating to housing code requirements, removing the definition of apartment houses from chapter 31 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, providing requirements for adoption of the international fire code, 2024 edition, and providing that certain state accessibility standards are not applicable to moderate income housing program and Kansas investor tax credit housing act projects.

Impact

The implementation of HB 2739 will result in significant changes to existing state laws concerning housing codes and fire safety oversight. By repealing outdated sections of the current statutes, the bill aims to streamline compliance requirements for builders and developers. In removing the definition of apartment houses, the legislation signals a shift in how residential construction is regulated, potentially impacting affordable housing development and overall public safety standards. The standardization of fire prevention regulations is expected to enhance the safety of new constructions across the state while providing a more uniform framework for fire safety enforcement by local municipalities.

Summary

House Bill 2739 focuses on modifying housing code requirements in the state of Kansas. It seeks to update and refine the design and construction standards, particularly concerning accessibility and fire safety regulations. The bill emphasizes fire prevention measures, including the adoption of the 2024 edition of the International Fire Code. Notably, it stipulates that certain state accessibility specifications will not apply to projects qualifying under the moderate income housing program or the Kansas investor tax credit housing act, aligning local regulations with state requirements and modern fire safety protocols.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding HB 2739 appears to be positive among lawmakers focused on public safety and housing availability. Proponents value its contribution toward enhancing fire safety and modernizing housing standards to address contemporary needs. However, there are concerns among certain groups that the bill could undermine local autonomy by centralizing regulations and removing more flexible local measures. The discourse suggests a balancing act between state regulations and local control, which is often contentious in legislative discussions around housing and safety standards.

Contention

Key points of contention in the discussions on HB 2739 revolve around the implications of removing the definition of apartment houses and the exemption of certain housing projects from state accessibility standards. Critics argue that this could hinder the ability of local jurisdictions to enforce regulations that accommodate specific community needs, particularly in affordable housing initiatives. Advocates for local control emphasize the importance of retaining the ability to tailor safety and access requirements to fit regional contexts, fearing that blanket state regulations may not adequately address diverse demographics and housing conditions in Kansas.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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 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 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 HB2002

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

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 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 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.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.