Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB391

Introduced
1/27/26  
Refer
1/28/26  
Report Pass
2/11/26  
Engrossed
2/18/26  
Refer
2/18/26  
Report Pass
3/11/26  
Enrolled
4/9/26  
Vetoed
4/9/26  

Caption

Prohibiting cities and counties from adopting or enforcing any ordinance or resolution that requires landlords to lease housing to tenants receiving financial assistance from or through the housing choice voucher program or any other housing assistance program or that otherwise restricts a landlord's ability to consider the income source of a prospective tenant.

Impact

The enactment of SB 391 is expected to greatly influence housing practices in the state, particularly concerning the availability and accessibility of rental properties for individuals relying on financial assistance. Landlords will have unimpeded authority to consider tenant applicants based on their income sources, which could lead to reduced opportunities for those dependent on vouchers or assistance programs. Furthermore, the bill may encourage landlords to impose stricter leasing criteria, thus shaping the rental landscape in a way that aligns with their business interests rather than the housing needs of vulnerable populations.

Summary

Senate Bill 391 addresses the issue of housing regulations by prohibiting cities and counties from implementing ordinances that would require landlords to lease properties to tenants who receive financial assistance through programs such as the housing choice voucher program. The bill effectively centralizes the power of determining leasing requirements at the state level, restricting local governments from instituting regulations related to income source discrimination. This change aims to create a more uniform approach to landlord-tenant relationships across Kansas, ensuring that landowners have greater discretion in who they may rent to based on income considerations. Moreover, the bill nullifies existing local ordinances that may be contrary to these stipulations as of July 1, 2026.

Sentiment

Discussions surrounding SB 391 have elicited mixed sentiments among lawmakers and constituents. Proponents argue that the bill is a necessary measure to protect landlords' rights and simplify the rental process, positioning it as a pro-business initiative. Conversely, critics, including housing advocates and organizations, express concern that this legislation could exacerbate housing insecurity for low-income residents by limiting their access to rental units. This divide highlights a significant clash between landlord autonomy and the necessities of tenants seeking affordable housing solutions.

Contention

Notable contention points include the balance between protecting landlord interests and ensuring equitable access to housing for all residents. Critics argue that by removing local governments' authority to set inclusive leasing practices, the bill endangers vulnerable populations who may struggle to secure housing. Moreover, the potential for increased discrimination based on income sources raises significant ethical questions. The overall legislative debate mirrors ongoing national conversations about housing policy, affordability, and tenant rights, with SB 391 serving as a focal point for these critical issues within Kansas.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SCR1601

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

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 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 HB2002

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

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 SB5

Authorizing counties to impose an earnings tax.

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 HB2004

Authorizing counties to propose an earnings tax for ballot question.

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.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.