Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB260

Introduced
2/11/25  
Refer
2/13/25  
Report Pass
2/17/25  
Engrossed
2/25/25  
Refer
2/25/25  
Report Pass
3/16/26  
Enrolled
4/9/26  

Caption

House Subsitute for SB 260 by Committee on Federal and State Affairs - Relating to campaign finance; concerning a vacancy in the joint candidacy of the governor and lieutenant governor; relating to reasons for withdrawal of candidacy from national, state and local offices; relating to the election of the board of directors of certain irrigation districts; specifying when such elections may be conducted by the mail ballot election law; relating to the crime of corrupt political advertising; removing the requirements that treasurers be listed in political advertising attributions; clarifying campaign finance reports regarding vendor information.

Impact

This bill modifies existing statutes concerning elections and campaign finance, intending to streamline processes related to candidacies and enhance transparency in political advertising. With the amendments made to various sections of the Kansas Statutes, it is anticipated that these changes may influence how candidates interact with the electoral process, potentially reducing the frequency of candidacy withdrawals. Furthermore, the legislation addresses issues of corrupt political advertising, imposing additional requirements for disclosures in political communication.

Summary

Senate Bill 260, also known as the House Substitute for SB260, focuses on several aspects of election regulations and campaign finance within the state of Kansas. Notably, it introduces provisions regarding the withdrawal of candidacy for various offices, emphasizing that a candidate can only withdraw post-nomination under specific circumstances such as severe medical hardship or a change in residency. The bill aims to enhance the integrity of the election process by clarifying the withdrawal procedures, keeping candidates accountable to their nominations.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding SB260 appears to be supportive from those who prioritize election integrity and wish to reduce the incidence of political maneuvering. However, there are concerns from some quarters about how stringent withdrawal rules could impact candidates facing genuine hardships. The discussion reflects a balancing act between ensuring accountability in political candidacies while also allowing for flexibility under extreme circumstances.

Contention

One significant point of contention was whether the requirements imposed on candidates for withdrawal were too restrictive, potentially deterring individuals from running due to fear of being unable to withdraw easily in case of unforeseen personal circumstances. Additionally, the bill's provisions on corrupt political advertising might provoke debates around free speech and the extent of regulation necessary to maintain the integrity of elections.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SB3

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

KS SB4

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

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 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 SCR1601

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

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 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 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.

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