Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB501

Introduced
2/10/26  

Caption

Requiring law enforcement agencies to adopt policies related to racial and other biased-based policing using technology and criminalizing violation of racial and other biased-based policing policies.

Impact

The bill will amend K.S.A. 22-4610, instituting new standards for law enforcement policy development across Kansas. All law enforcement agencies are required to implement these policies within one year of the bill's enactment. Agencies must also make their policies publicly accessible, enhancing accountability and fostering trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The introduction of criminal penalties for violations of these policies as a class A nonperson misdemeanor underscores the legislative intent to impose serious repercussions for biased policing.

Summary

Senate Bill 501 aims to address issues of racial and other bias-based policing within Kansas law enforcement agencies. The bill requires these agencies to adopt detailed written policies that specifically prohibit racial or biased policing, implementing comprehensive training programs for law enforcement personnel. This mandates a shift towards a more transparent and accountable police force, ensuring that all officers are adequately trained in recognizing and preventing biased-based practices in their operations.

Contention

Debate surrounding SB 501 may center on the implications of mandated training and the establishment of community advisory boards for law enforcement experts. These components can be viewed favorably as increasing community involvement and oversight. However, opponents may argue that the requirements could strain local resources or infringe upon the operational autonomy of law enforcement agencies. There may also be concerns about the efficacy of the mandated training and whether it sufficiently addresses the root causes of racial and other biased policing.

Enforcement

Furthermore, law enforcement agencies will be tasked with compiling and submitting annual reports on complaints related to racial or bias-based policing, as well as the actions taken in response. This reporting is designed to maintain transparency and foster trust in the handling of such complaints, reflecting a commitment to ongoing evaluation and adjustment of policing policies.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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 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 SB4

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

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 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 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 SB3

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

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.