Legislative Update Wk #4 - February 8, 2026
- Reily Goyne
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
By Reily Goyne, AIA Kansas Advocacy Manager
General Statehouse Update
Legislators this week introduced a bill (SCR 1621) that would place a constitutional amendment on the ballot to prohibit property taxes. Another bill (SB 488) was introduced that, should the constitutional amendment pass, would put a “fair share purchase surcharge” on all purchases, with a few exceptions. No hearing has been set for either of these bills, but they are both exempt from deadlines and can advance at any time.
AIA Government Affairs Reviews Bills
The AIA Kansas Government Affairs Committee, chaired by Dana Williamson, AIA, met Thursday morning to discuss the following bills and how to respond. At this time, the Committee and lobbyists are closely monitoring these bills. If you are interested in reviewing legislation and deciding AIA Kansas’s position, please contact Reily Goyne.
Electrician Licensure Hearing
On Thursday, the House Commerce, Labor, and Economic Development Committeeheld a hearing on HB 2588 (watch here), a bill that creates statewide licensure for electricians under the Kansas State Board of Technical Professions (KSBTP).
Brad Parker, Executive Director of the KSBTP, provided neutral testimony to the committee on behalf of the Board. The Board is not opposed to the statewide licensure of electricians, but questioned whether KSBTP was the appropriate state agency to administer the licensure program. The Board’s testimony included suggestions, referencing other states’ electrician licensure programs through labor departments or fire marshal offices.
HB 2588 is subject to deadlines, meaning it must be passed out of Committee by the end of this week and out of the House by next week.
SB 335 Requires Mutual Waiver of Consequential Damages
On Wednesday, February 4, the Senate Commerce Committee heard SB 335 (watch here), a bill introduced by Senate Vice President Tim Shallenburger (R-Baxter Springs) that would require all contracts for public projects to include a mutual waiver of consequential damages. This bill was brought on behalf of Crossland Construction, which recently negotiated to add the mutual waiver in a contract with the state.
Crossland was joined by the Association of General Contractors, Kansas (AGC-Kansas), and the Kansas Chamber in support of the bill. They seek to standardize contracts with public entities across the states, protect contractors, and increase competition for bids.
The League of Kansas Municipalities opposed the bill. Cities stated that the legislation would infringe on local control and the ability to contract freely.
This bill is currently subject to deadlines, so it must either be passed by the Committee this week or be re-referred to an exempt committee so it’s no longer subject to deadlines.
SB 418 Seeks to Increase Housing Supply
On Tuesday, February 3, the Senate Commerce Committee heard SB 418 (watch here), a bill to increase the housing supply by shortening construction timelines, zoning rules, and codes. SB 418 is supported by the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City, the Pacific Legal Foundation, Americans for Prosperity, and the Institute for Justice.
SB 418 is limited to single-family homes, townhomes, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The bill would roll back codes in cities that have adopted the 2024 residential codes.
The bill impacts all planning and zoning decisions by designating that all land within a city will be zoned for single-family homes, in addition to any zoning designation the land already has. The City of Olathe expressed concerns that this would restrict local decisions about master planning.
Profession Freedom of Expression Act
On Wednesday, February 4, the House Commerce, Labor, and EconomicDevelopment Committee heard HB 2465, the Professionals’ Freedom of Expression Act (watch here). While the legislation is directed at real estate agents, Sections 1 and 2 of the bill have broader implications. HB 2465 provides that no government agency or private licensing organization can revoke a professional license for expressing sincerely held religious beliefs in a personal capacity.
Give Your Input on 2030 IECC Code
The International Code Council is proposing structural updates to the 2030 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), creating a two-track framework: a Base IECC focused on energy efficiency and an expanded path with optional advanced carbon and net-zero measures.
Public comments are open through Feb. 15.
The AIA Codes and Standards Committee is drafting feedback - share input with Michele Mihelic by Feb. 9.
Committee Hearings
Monday, February 9 - Day 29
Tuesday, February 10 - Day 30
9:30 - Senate Local Government: SB 436 hearing
Wednesday, February 11 - Day 31
9:00 - House Federal and State Affairs: HB 2573 hearing
Bills to Watch
If you have questions or suggestions about the following bills, please reach out to Reily Goyne.
SB 30 was replaced with the contents of SB 229, requiring the adoption of new occupational licenses and material changes to existing licenses to be approved by the legislature. These requirements do not apply to the State Board of Technical Professions, which licenses architects. The Senate Commerce Committee has an informational briefing on Thursday, January 22.
SB 148 excludes from sales taxation the service of installing or applying tangible personal property for the reconstruction, restoration, remodeling, renovation, repair, or replacement of a building or facility. It is in the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee, and no hearing has been scheduled.
SB 222 prohibits deference to a state agency's interpretation of a statute, rule, or regulation, or document by a state court or an officer hearing an administrative action. It had a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee in 2025 and can be advanced at any time.
SB 229 requires the adoption of new occupational licenses and material changes to existing licenses to be approved by the legislature. These requirements do not apply to the State Board of Technical Professions, which licenses architects. It is in the House Commerce, Labor, and Economic Development Committee, and no hearing is scheduled.
SB 283 eliminates the Kansas Affordable Housing Tax Credit and other tax credit programs. It had a hearing in 2025 in the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee.
SB 335 requires public construction contracts to include a mutual waiver of consequential damages. It has a hearing on Wednesday, February 3, in Senate Commerce.
SB 418 enacts the by-right housing development act to provide a streamlined permit approval process for by-right housing developments, allows third-party review of new residential construction development documents and inspection of improvements, requires political subdivisions to allow certain building provisions for single-family residences of a certain size, excludes owner initiated rezoning to a single-family residential district from protest petition provisions and provides for all land within the corporate limits of a city to be considered zoned for single-family residential use. It has a hearing in Senate Commerce on Tuesday, February 3.
SB 436 increasing the cost threshold for when a county shall use the public bidding process in awarding a construction contract.
HB 2099 permits periodic inspections by a city or county for code violations of private residential rental housing where the property owner is receiving governmental rental subsidies. It is in Senate Local Government, Transparency, and Ethics, and can advance at any time.
HB 2119 discontinues the Kansas affordable housing tax credit for qualified developments receiving a 4% federal tax credit. It is in Senate Commerce and can be amended or advanced at any time.
HB 2138 authorizes school districts to levy an annual tax of up to two mills for school building safety, security, and compliance with the Americans with disabilities act. It is in the House Education Committee, and no hearing is scheduled.
HB 2162 excludes from sales taxation the service of installing or applying tangible personal property for the reconstruction, restoration, remodeling, renovation, repair, or replacement of a building or facility. It is in the House Taxation Committee, and no hearing has been scheduled.
HB 2183 was replaced with the contents of SB 222, which prohibits deference to a state agency's interpretation of a statute, rule, or regulation, or document by a state court or an officer hearing an administrative action. If the House votes to pass the bill as amended, it would go to the Governor for her signature or veto.
HB 2274 removes the active requirement from military servicemembers for occupational licensure. It has a hearing on Thursday, February 4, in the Select Committee on Veterans Affairs.
HB 2328 provides an exception to restrictions on prison-made housing units to allow the Secretary of Corrections to establish a program for delivering such units into designated areas. It is in the House Committee on Interstate Cooperation and has not had a hearing.
HB 2465 enacts the professionals' freedom of expression act to provide protection for professionals and businesses against adverse action as a result of an expression of beliefs of such professional or business that is unrelated to such profession or business. It is in the House Commerce, Labor, and Economic Development Committee, and no hearing has been set.
HB 2523 authorizing technical colleges and community colleges to affiliate with Kansas universities or colleges, authorizing state educational institutions to affiliate with accredited independent institutions and providing procedures for such affiliations
HB 2573 amending statutes concerning the Kansas board of accountancy; relating to licensure requirements for certified public accountants.
HB 2588 establishes statewide electrician licensing by the board of technical professions. It has a hearing on Thursday, February 4, in the House Commerce, Labor, and Economic Development Committee.
HB 2634 requiring landlords to comply with a default maintenance code if the rental property is in a city or county that has not adopted a maintenance code.
HB 2650 requiring that noncompete agreements be reasonable and providing that such agreements are null and void upon the sale or change in ownership or control of an employer.
HB 2701 permitting nonuniform zoning regulations within a zoning district.
HB 2709 requiring examination and licensure of home inspectors in the same manner as general contractors and providing that home inspectors obtain liability insurance coverage as required for general contractors.
HB 2739 providing that fire sprinkler systems shall not be required in this state for multi-family dwellings of four attached units or fewer, prohibiting municipal fire sprinkler requirements for multi-family dwellings of four or fewer attached living units and defining apartment buildings for purposes of the fire code.
Request for Participation on Housing Affordability
Promoting Housing Affordability through I-Codes
The International Code Council (ICC) recently established an Advisory Committee for the Housing Affordability Study: Promoting Housing Affordability through the I-Codes. This initiative is currently in the information-gathering phase, and AIA strongly encourages your participation.
As an architect, your voice is essential to ensuring that affordable housing strategies remain grounded in design excellence. This study, led by Clemson University, Western Michigan University, and San Jose State University, evaluates how the I-Codes impact housing costs and delivery.
Specifically, this initiative seeks to assess the International Residential Code (IRC) to identify revisions that:
Reduce costs and simplify the code without compromising life safety;
Improve clarity and implementation in the field; and
Enhance overall quality and accessibility.
Please take a moment to complete the questionnaire to ensure the architect's perspective is represented in this critical national study: Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management.
Cities and counties have advisory boards and commissions making decisions for their communities, and these groups are a great way to get involved in your community. Below is a list of boards with vacancies in the largest Kansas cities. Visit your city's website regularly to see any future openings, or email Reily Goyne if you would like assistance identifying opportunities.
Downtown Business Improvement District Advisory Board
Historic Resources Board
NOTO Business Improvement District Advisory Board
Affordable Housing Trust Fund Review Committee
Topeka Sustainability Advisory Board
Landmarks Commission
Board of Code Standards and Appeals
Community Service Block Grant Review Committee
Wichita Sustainability Integration Board
Wichita/Sedgwick County Access Advisory Board
About AIA Kansas
AIA Kansas is a state chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
The organization provides services and programs to meet the professional development needs and interests of Kansas architects and to develop public awareness for the value of architects and architecture.
Our 650-plus members are leaders in building healthy, sustainable communities that will serve our citizens into the future.
www.aiaks.org | 785-357-5308 | info@aiaks.org
