Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB42

Filed/Introduced
 
Introduced
1/21/25  
Refer
1/22/25  
Report Pass
2/17/25  
Engrossed
2/25/25  
Refer
2/25/25  
Report Pass
3/7/25  
Enrolled
4/10/25  

Caption

Providing for the establishment of a web-based online insurance verification system for the verification of evidence of motor vehicle liability insurance, eliminating the requirement that the commissioner of insurance submit certain reports to the governor and requiring certain reports be available on the insurance department's website, removing certain entities from the definition of person for the purpose of enforcing insurance law, requiring that third party administrators maintain separate fiduciary accounts for individual payors and prohibiting the commingling of funds held on behalf of multiple payors, requiring the disclosure to the commissioner of insurance of any bankruptcy petition filed by or on behalf of such administrator pursuant to the United State bankruptcy code, requiring title agents to make their reports available for inspection upon request of the commissioner of insurance instead of submitting such reports annually, standardizing the amount of surety bonds filed with the commissioner of insurance at $100,000 and eliminating the small business exemption in certain counties.

Impact

The impact of SB42 on state laws is significant. It alters existing regulations surrounding motor vehicle liability insurance by centralizing verification processes at the state level. The bill eliminates previous requirements for insurers while introducing standards that ensure third-party administrators maintain fiduciary accounts separately for individual payors, which aims to enhance financial accountability in the industry. Furthermore, it allows for more transparency as insurers will be required to submit relevant documentation to the Kansas insurance department's website, making this information more accessible to the public and enhancing consumer protection.

Summary

Senate Bill 42, known as the Kansas Real Time Motor Vehicle Insurance Verification Act, aims to establish a web-based online system for the verification of motor vehicle liability insurance. The bill mandates motor vehicle insurers to cooperate with the Kansas insurance department to create an efficient method for confirming insurance coverage, thereby reducing instances of uninsured drivers on the road. Through the implementation of this system, it intends to simplify the verification process for law enforcement and authorized personnel, enhancing public safety on Kansas roads. The provisions in this bill are set to come into full effect by July 1, 2026, following a comprehensive testing period.

Sentiment

The sentiment around SB42 is generally positive among proponents who view the insurance verification system as a critical advancement in public safety. Supporters argue that it will streamline processes and reduce fraud. However, some concerns have been raised regarding the potential costs associated with implementation and the productivity of insurance companies adapting to the new requirements. Opponents worry that while the intent is commendable, there could be unintended consequences on smaller insurance providers, potentially leading to inequities within the market.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the requirement for third-party administrators to report any bankruptcy filing immediately, which some view as a necessary consumer protection measure, while others argue it places an undue burden on those administrators. Additionally, there was debate about the elimination of certain small business exemptions within specific counties, which could disproportionately affect those smaller entities by imposing additional costs related to compliance with the newly standardized bond requirements set at $100,000.

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 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 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 SB8

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

KS SCR1601

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

KS HR6001

Providing for the organization of the House of Representatives for the 2024 special session of the Legislature.

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 SB4

Requiring all advance voting ballots be returned by 7:00 p.m. on election day.

Similar Bills

AL HB443

Article V Convention; process for appointing commissioners and alternate commissioners to represent the State of Alabama at Article V Convention established

CT SJ00039

Resolution Confirming The Decision Of The Claims Commissioner To Dismiss Certain Claims Against The State.

TN HB1499

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 18, relative to Article V conventions.

TN SB1567

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 18, relative to Article V conventions.

CT SJ00058

Resolution Confirming The Decision Of The Claims Commissioner To Dismiss Certain Claims Against The State.

CA AB1936

Insurance Commissioner qualifications.

MI HCR0002

A concurrent resolution prescribing the Rules of the Legislature for Selecting Commissioners to an Article V Convention.

CA AB1931

Insurance: home protection companies.