Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB156

Introduced
2/3/25  
Refer
2/4/25  
Report Pass
2/17/25  
Engrossed
2/19/25  
Refer
2/19/25  
Report Pass
3/13/25  
Enrolled
4/11/25  

Caption

Increasing the reimbursement amount of money that the secretary of corrections may make to inmates for losses for personal injury or property damage or loss caused by negligence and requiring notice to the secretary for claims exceeding the reimbursement maximum.

Impact

The implications of SB156 are significant as it amends existing laws to provide clearer avenues for inmates seeking compensation for grievances against the state. By raising the compensation cap, the bill potentially encourages inmates to report incidents of negligence, leading to a more transparent and accountable corrections environment. Furthermore, while this raises the state’s responsibility to compensate inmates, it also clarifies the procedure for claims exceeding the new reimbursement limit, which can streamline the process of addressing inmate grievances.

Summary

Senate Bill 156 addresses the financial rights of inmates within the Kansas correctional system by increasing the reimbursement amount that the secretary of corrections can provide for personal injuries or property damage caused by state negligence. The bill proposes to raise the maximum reimbursement limit from $500 to $750, thereby enhancing the financial relief available to inmates who have experienced losses under such circumstances. This legislative change aims to improve the accountability of the state in providing reparations to individuals within the correctional system.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB156 appears to be predominantly positive, particularly among advocates for inmates' rights who see the increased compensation as a step forward in addressing injustices faced by incarcerated individuals. However, there may also be concerns from conservative perspectives wary of the potential for increased state liabilities or claims resulting from the bill. Overall, the passage of the bill seems indicative of a shifting attitude towards inmate welfare within Kansas's correctional policies.

Contention

While there is general agreement on the necessity of providing adequate compensation to inmates for negligence, there are underlying tensions regarding the increased financial exposure of the state. Critics may argue that raising the reimbursement limits could encourage frivolous claims or exploitation of the system, while supporters contend that it merely aligns with the principles of justice and fairness. Balancing inmate rights with state budgetary constraints remains a contentious issue likely to be debated further as the bill progresses.

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 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 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 SB8

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

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 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 HB2002

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

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.