Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB158

Introduced
2/3/25  

Caption

Allowing persons with felony drug convictions to receive benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

Impact

The implementation of this bill is expected to significantly affect state laws surrounding public assistance. By permitting individuals with felony drug convictions access to cash assistance under certain conditions, SB158 revises existing welfare policies that have historically been punitive. The discussions around the bill highlighted that it might contribute to decreasing recidivism rates by supporting successful rehabilitation, thus promoting social reintegration. However, it will also necessitate changes to administrative procedures to handle the approved drug treatment programs and monitoring of compliance for those applying for assistance.

Summary

Senate Bill 158 aims to amend the eligibility requirements for cash assistance programs in Kansas, specifically targeting individuals with felony drug convictions. Under this bill, individuals convicted of felony drug offenses would have a new path to receive assistance by allowing them to apply for funds under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Notably, the bill proposes that an individual with a felony conviction related to controlled substances may regain eligibility after a period of rehabilitation and compliance with specific programs set forth by the state. This provision seeks to reduce the barriers that formerly incarcerated individuals face in reintegrating into society and accessing essential welfare benefits.

Contention

The main points of contention surrounding SB158 involve the balance between public welfare and concerns over accountability. Proponents argue that allowing individuals with substance abuse issues to access financial support facilitates their recovery and helps them become productive members of society. On the other hand, some critics are concerned about potential abuse of the system, fearing that they might exploit the leniency towards felony convictions, particularly in the area of drug testing and accountability measures. Addressing these concerns will be vital for the bill's acceptance and implementation.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS HB2002

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

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 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 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 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 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 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 SCR1601

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

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.