Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB386

Introduced
1/26/26  

Caption

Electing to participate in the federal tax credit for individual contributions to scholarship granting organizations and increasing the aggregate tax credit limit on the tax credit for low income students scholarship program.

Impact

If passed, SB386 is expected to have a substantial impact on state laws related to education funding and tax incentives. By facilitating a means for individuals to contribute to scholarship organizations while receiving tax benefits, the state could see an influx of private funding directed towards educational programs. This could lead to more diverse funding sources for low-income students, thereby alleviating some of the financial barriers they face in accessing quality education. The increase in aggregate tax credit limits also suggests a more robust framework for incentivizing philanthropic efforts in education.

Summary

SB386 seeks to enhance the education funding landscape by allowing individuals to participate in a federal tax credit system for contributions made to scholarship-granting organizations. This initiative aims to support low-income students by providing them with broader access to educational opportunities through scholarships. The bill proposes to increase the overall cap on tax credits available under the existing low-income student scholarship program, which is essential for encouraging more contributions and expanding the program's reach. The potential benefits of this bill include increased financial support for disadvantaged students and greater involvement from community members in fostering educational success.

Contention

Despite its potential advantages, SB386 is likely to face contention regarding the implications for public education financing. Opponents may argue that relying heavily on tax credits and scholarships could divert necessary funding away from public schools, potentially exacerbating existing inequalities in the education system. Critics might concern that this approach represents a shift in focus from adequately funding public education, prioritizing private scholarship initiatives instead. The debate surrounding this bill will likely center on balancing private contributions against the fundamental need for public education funding in the state.

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 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 HB2004

Authorizing counties to propose an earnings tax for ballot question.

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 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 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

NJ S1027

"Opportunity Scholarship Act"; establishes pilot program in Department of Treasury providing tax credits to taxpayers contributing to scholarships for low-income children.

NJ A1578

"Opportunity Scholarship Act"; establishes pilot program in Department of Treasury providing tax credits to taxpayers contributing to scholarships for low-income children.

NV AB441

Revises provisions governing the Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship Program. (BDR 32-6)

NV AB364

Revises provisions governing the Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship Program. (BDR 34-1082)

NJ S2320

Establishes Jersey Strong Public Service Scholarship Program.

NJ A2534

Establishes Jersey Strong Public Service Scholarship Program.

AZ HB2832

STOs; ESAs; student eligibility

NV AB599

Revises provisions governing the Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship Program. (BDR 34-1157)