Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB254

Introduced
2/10/25  
Refer
2/11/25  
Report Pass
3/6/25  
Engrossed
2/2/26  
Refer
2/2/26  
Enrolled
3/27/26  

Caption

Prohibiting aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States from receiving any state or local public benefit in accordance with applicable federal law.

Impact

If implemented, SB254 will alter the landscape of public benefits in Kansas by tightly restricting access based on immigration status. Local and state agencies will now have the responsibility of verifying the lawful presence of applicants before any benefits can be granted, which could lead to increased bureaucracy and potential delays in benefit distribution. Critics argue that such measures could disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including children and families losing essential services due to a lack of documentation. Importantly, the bill also includes a rebuttable presumption for individuals charged with crimes who are not citizens, stating they may be a flight risk, which could impact their ability to secure bail.

Summary

Senate Bill 254 focuses on immigration by prohibiting individuals who are unlawfully present in the United States from receiving any state or local public benefits. This bill mandates that individuals aged 18 and older applying for state or local public benefits must provide proof of their lawful presence. The legislation aims to enhance the verification process of immigration status for those seeking benefits, directing state and local agencies to use the systematic alien verification for entitlements program managed by the United States Department of Homeland Security. The aim is to ensure that only qualifying individuals receive access to public services funded by taxpayers.

Contention

The bill is expected to encounter significant debate, particularly regarding its implications for local governance and public welfare. Proponents claim that restricting benefits serves to uphold law and order, while opponents may view the bill as an overreach that undermines the rights of residents and complicates the already challenging landscape of public aid. Furthermore, the language surrounding the verification processes may open avenues for legal challenges stating violations of civil rights, particularly for communities that may be vulnerable to discrimination based on immigration status.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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 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 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 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 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 SCR1601

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

KS HB2002

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

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.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.