Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB418

Introduced
1/28/26  
Refer
1/29/26  
Report Pass
2/16/26  
Engrossed
2/24/26  
Refer
2/24/26  
Report Pass
3/11/26  
Enrolled
4/9/26  

Caption

Enacting the by-right housing development act to provide a streamlined permit approval process for by-right housing developments, allowing third-party review of new residential construction development documents and inspection of improvements, requiring political subdivisions to allow certain building provisions for certain single-family residences of a certain size, excluding owner initiated rezoning to a single-family residential district from protest petition provisions and providing for all land within the corporate limits of a city that is zoned for any type of residential use to be considered zoned for single-family residential use.

Impact

The bill significantly alters the landscape of local zoning regulations by mandating that all land deemed for residential use be treated as zoned for single-family residential development. This effectively limits the power of local municipalities to legislate over certain aspects of housing development, which could lead to increased frustration among local planners who might wish to enforce stricter regulations for community development. In areas where local ordinances might conflict with this bill, those local rules would be superseded. The legislation is expected to make housing construction faster but could potentially create mismatches with local community needs and preferences.

Summary

Senate Bill 418 aims to address the housing shortage in Kansas by enacting the 'By-Right Housing Development Act.' This legislation lays out a streamlined permit approval process for housing developments, allowing construction of single-family homes, townhouses, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) without the need for discretionary review by local authorities. The goal is to facilitate more rapid housing construction and thereby promote affordability in residential living throughout the state. Key provisions include defining 'by-right housing development' and stipulating parameters under which such developments would automatically be approved if they meet established zoning criteria.

Sentiment

Responses to SB 418 are largely polarized. Advocates, primarily from the construction and real estate sectors, tout the bill as essential for easing the housing crisis by allowing faster and less cumbersome processes for new homes. They argue that greater access to housing will lead to more affordable options for citizens. Conversely, critics express concerns that the bill undermines local control and could result in developments that do not fit within the character of existing neighborhoods. These opponents warn that the legislation may prioritize speed and quantity over quality and livability, emphasizing the need for considerate planning to protect community interests.

Contention

Notable points of contention involve the implications of removing local input on housing developments. The exclusion of owner-initiated zoning changes from protest petition provisions is particularly controversial; opponents argue it might lead to unwanted developments in established neighborhoods. Additional complexities arise from the lack of requirements for local input during the zoning amendment processes, which would normally allow for community feedback. By stripping away some local controls, the bill raises critical questions about the balance between state governance and localized decision-making in land use and community development.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SB6

Providing a sales tax exemption for sales of electricity to residential premises by municipally owned or operated utilities.

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.

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 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 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.

KS SB8

Exempting the sale of firearms, firearms accessories, ammunition, firearm safes and firearm safety devices from the retatilers' sales tax.

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.