Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB241

Introduced
2/6/25  
Refer
2/7/25  
Report Pass
2/17/25  
Engrossed
2/20/25  
Refer
2/20/25  
Report Pass
3/19/25  
Enrolled
4/10/25  

Caption

Providing that restrictive covenants in certain contracts are enforceable and not considered a restraint of trade in certain circumstances.

Impact

The impact of SB241 on state laws will be significant, as it alters the legal landscape regarding how restrictive covenants are treated in Kansas. By establishing clear guidelines around enforceability and the definition of reasonable restraints, the bill aims to reduce ambiguity that has previously surrounded such agreements. This change is expected to empower businesses to protect their interests more effectively, thereby potentially enhancing competition and stability within various industries through competitive agreements.

Summary

Senate Bill No. 241 proposes amendments to the Kansas Restraint of Trade Act, specifically concerning the enforcement of restrictive covenants within business contracts. The bill clarifies that certain covenants will not be considered a restraint of trade under specified conditions, thereby increasing their enforceability. Covenants outlined in the bill can include those preventing the solicitation of employees or customers, provided they are reasonable and do not extend beyond specified time limits following the end of a business relationship.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB241 appears to be largely positive, particularly among business groups and proponents who view it as a necessary adaptation to modern business practices. Their argument is that it will help in creating a more favorable environment for business operations, enabling them to secure their workforce and clientele. However, the bill has also received some scrutiny from those concerned about the potential overreach in limiting employee mobility and the risks of creating overly restrictive conditions that could stifle competition.

Contention

Notable points of contention in the discussions around SB241 relate to the balance between protecting business interests and ensuring fair labor practices. Critics express the need for caution in how restrictive covenants are applied, fearing that they could unfairly limit employees' opportunities for advancement and mobility. As the bill progresses, the challenge will be in ensuring that the provisions serve to foster healthy competition without undermining the rights and freedoms of workers in the state.

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 SB3

Clarifying the procedures and restrictions on accepting a nomination for an elected office.

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 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 SB6

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

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 SB8

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

KS HB2002

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

KS SB5

Authorizing counties to impose an earnings tax.

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