Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB131

Filed/Introduced
8/8/26  
Introduced
1/30/25  

Caption

Requiring the state corporation commission to establish and enforce a code of conduct and agricultural mitigation protocol for the development, operation and decommissioning of certain large energy facilities.

Impact

The implementation of this bill is expected to significantly influence how large energy facilities interact with landowners in rural Kansas. The bill explicitly requires facility owners to prioritize landowner communication through truthful and non-coercive dialogues. Additionally, landowners will have rights to adequate compensation that exceeds the fair market value of their property interests when eminent domain is invoked. Procedures for early landowner involvement and impact mitigation protocols for agricultural operations are also highlighted, aiming to minimize disruptions to local farming practices.

Summary

Senate Bill 131 mandates the Kansas state corporation commission to establish and enforce a comprehensive code of conduct and agricultural impact mitigation protocols regarding the development, operation, and decommissioning of large energy facilities within rural areas. The bill defines large energy facilities to include commercial battery storage systems, solar energy conversion systems, electric transmission lines, and wind energy conversion systems. By imposing these regulations, SB131 aims to ensure that energy facility owners adhere to public transparency practices and uphold the rights of landowners affected by such projects.

Contention

While the bill has the potential to enhance protections for landowners, it may also generate concerns among energy developers about the increased regulatory burden and potential delays in project implementation. Proponents argue that these safeguards are necessary for ethical operating procedures and respect for local communities, while opponents might contend that such regulations could hinder the development of renewable energy infrastructure in Kansas. Balancing the interests of landowners and energy facility operators will be crucial as this legislation is enforced.

Additional_points

SB131 also includes provisions for civil penalties against facility owners who violate the established code of conduct, thus providing a mechanism for accountability. The Kansas corporation commission will have the authority to adjudicate disputes and enforce compliance, which may prove essential in protecting landowner rights amidst varying interests in energy development.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 HB2002

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

KS SB4

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

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.