Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SCR1609

Introduced
2/3/25  

Caption

Proposing to amend the Kansas Constitution to repeal section 12 of article 15, regarding membership and nonmembership in labor organizations.

Impact

If passed, the repeal of section 12 would remove the current assurances that employees cannot be penalized for their affiliations with labor unions or associations. This move may lead to greater flexibility for employers, potentially enabling them to implement policies that could influence union membership dynamics. In contrast, labor rights advocates argue that this repeal would undermine important worker protections, limiting employees' rights to organize and bargain collectively.

Summary

SCR1609 proposes a significant amendment to the Kansas Constitution, specifically aiming to repeal section 12 of article 15. This section currently protects individuals from being denied employment based on their membership or nonmembership in labor organizations, functioning as the state's right to work provision. By seeking to revoke this provision, the bill aims to alter the legal landscape regarding labor organization policies within Kansas, impacting how employment rights are articulated within the state’s constitution.

Contention

Discussions surrounding SCR1609 are likely to be contentious, as they touch upon deeply held beliefs regarding workers' rights and the balance of power between labor unions and employers. Supporters of the repeal may argue that it fosters a more business-friendly environment, encouraging employment growth and attracting new businesses. However, opponents will likely contend that it represents an encroachment on workers' rights and could lead to significant declines in worker protections, eroding the strength of labor organizations within the state.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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 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 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 SCR1602

Approving the creation of a port authority in Wyandotte County Kansas.

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 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 SR1702

A resolution honoring the life, career and trailblazing achievements of Kansas icon Ed Dwight.

KS SB5

Authorizing counties to impose an earnings tax.

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.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.