Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2766

Introduced
2/6/26  

Caption

Providing that artificial persons shall not possess any political powers relating to election activity or ballot-issue activity.

Impact

The implications of HB2766 on state laws are significant, as it seeks to amend existing frameworks governing political participation by non-human entities. By asserting that artificial persons lack political power in election-related contexts, the bill intends to reinforce the principle that political rights and responsibilities are inherently human. This change may have far-reaching effects on how campaigns are funded and the overall transparency of political donations, as corporations would be limited in their abilities to engage in electoral advocacy.

Summary

House Bill 2766 aims to clarify and restrict the political powers granted to artificial persons, specifically in relation to election activities and ballot-issue engagements. The bill explicitly states that artificial persons, such as corporations and other entities, shall not possess any political powers concerning elections or related ballot measures, effectively curbing the influence that these entities can exert in the political sphere. This legislative effort is part of a broader initiative to address concerns about corporate political influence and advocate for a more balanced electoral process.

Contention

Discussions surrounding HB2766 have highlighted notable points of contention among legislators and advocacy groups. Proponents of the bill argue that it will enhance democracy by reducing the overwhelming influence of corporate money in politics, thereby allowing more equitable representation of individual voters. Conversely, opponents raise concerns that such restrictions might impede the capacity of legitimate organizations to participate in political discourse, arguing that it could limit the ability of groups to advocate for issues they represent. This tension between regulating influence and encouraging participation encapsulates the core debate surrounding the bill.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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 HB2004

Authorizing counties to propose an earnings tax for ballot question.

KS SB4

Requiring all advance voting ballots be returned by 7:00 p.m. on election day.

KS SB6

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

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 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 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 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.

KS SB5

Authorizing counties to impose an earnings tax.

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