Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB395

Filed/Introduced
8/8/26  
Introduced
1/27/26  

Caption

Requiring treasurers of candidates and persons who support or oppose constitutional amendments to report lists of small donors' names and addresses to the public disclosure commission and providing that such lists shall not be a part of any report required to be made public.

Impact

The implications of SB395 are significant in the realm of campaign financing and electoral transparency. By requiring detailed reports from candidates and those involved in constitutional debates, this legislation seeks to establish a more regulated environment around financial contributions. It holds treasurers accountable for accurately reporting funding sources and expenditures, thereby hindering potential misconduct or foreign interference. The bill’s reach extends beyond just candidates to include those advocating for or against constitutional amendments, signaling a comprehensive approach to campaign finance reform.

Summary

Senate Bill No. 395 introduces new regulations concerning campaign finance in Kansas, particularly for candidates and entities promoting or opposing constitutional amendments. The bill mandates that treasurers must file reports detailing contributions, specifically naming contributors who give over $50. However, it preserves confidentiality for donors contributing $50 or less, ensuring their names and addresses are not included in public records. This measure aims to enhance transparency in electoral funding while attempting to protect smaller donors from exposure.

Contention

Despite its intended benefits, the bill has sparked considerable debate. Proponents argue that increased transparency will deter corruption and protect the integrity of the electoral process, asserting that all funding sources should be disclosed to maintain public trust. Conversely, opponents express concerns about the potential chilling effect on political participation, particularly for smaller donors who may feel less inclined to contribute knowing their information could be reported, even in a confidential capacity. Additionally, the provisions regarding foreign donations have raised alarms, particularly regarding the stringent measures imposed on accepting foreign funds of any kind in campaign activities.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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 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 SB3

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

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 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 HB2002

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

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.