Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB361

Introduced
1/22/26  
Refer
1/23/26  
Report Pass
2/9/26  
Engrossed
3/6/26  
Refer
3/6/26  
Report Pass
3/12/26  
Enrolled
4/9/26  
Vetoed
4/9/26  

Caption

Electing to participate in the federal tax credit for individual contributions to scholarship granting organizations.

Impact

By permitting foreign exchange students to attend the school district of their host family, SB361 seeks to enhance the educational experience for these students and enrich the community's cultural and educational environment. The bill is expected to simplify the enrollment process, thereby helping foreign exchange programs attract participants who may have previously been deterred by the complexities of navigating school district regulations. This change may also promote a sense of belonging for these students within their host communities, as they engage with local peers in the classroom.

Summary

Senate Bill No. 361 (SB361) establishes provisions to allow foreign exchange students residing with host families to enroll in and attend the local school district of their host family as though they are residents of that district. This initiative aims to improve educational access for international students who come to the state of Kansas through approved exchange programs, facilitating their integration into local schools without facing bureaucratic challenges typically associated with out-of-district enrollment. The bill references federal regulations regarding educational access for such students, ensuring compliance with existing law while expanding local educational opportunities.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB361 appears to be largely positive among supporters, who view it as a progressive step towards inclusivity and cultural exchange. Advocates highlight the benefits that exchange students bring to local schools, including diversity, new perspectives, and enhanced international understanding. However, some concerns have been raised regarding potential impacts on local resources such as funding and capacity, as school districts manage the integration of these additional students within their existing frameworks.

Contention

Issues of contention may arise around the practical implications of the bill's implementation, such as how schools will accommodate these students alongside local residents and whether additional resources will be needed to support this initiative. There may also be discussions regarding the transparency of the process by which host families are accredited and the oversight of scholarship granting organizations involved in facilitating these exchanges. Nevertheless, proponents argue that the educational benefits far outweigh the potential challenges, advocating for a proactive approach to embracing global education initiatives.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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 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 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 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 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 HB2004

Authorizing counties to propose an earnings tax for ballot question.

KS SB5

Authorizing counties to impose an earnings tax.

KS HB2002

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

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.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.