Legislative Update Wk #7 - February 27, 2026
- Feb 27
- 5 min read
By Reily Goyne, AIA Kansas Advocacy Manager
General Statehouse Update
After a hectic Turnaround week, it’s back to business as usual. The bills that survived are now being heard in the second chamber, while a few more are being introduced.
House Approves Budget
The House convened on the evening of Wednesday, February 25, to advance its proposed budget. There were multiple attempts to amend the budget; however, none were adopted, and the House approved the budget as it passed out of committee, by a vote of 68-53. The Senate still has to approve its budget proposal, and then House and Senate representatives will meet to negotiate the differences between the two chambers' proposals.
Two Property Tax Bills are Advancing
Two different property tax proposals passed this week - a bill out of the House and a proposed constitutional amendment out of the Senate. These proposals seek to reduce property taxes in different ways.
The House’s bill (HB 2745) creates a petition mechanism for protests when property taxes increase by more than 3%. The bill includes exceptions for new construction or significant changes to property, and does not apply to public school districts. A protest petition requires the signature of 5% of the number of voters in a tax jurisdiction who participated in the previous election. HB 2745 passed the House 76-45 and is scheduled for hearings next Tuesday and Wednesday in the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee.
The Senate’s constitutional amendment must be approved by two-thirds of each chamber and receive a simple majority approval by voters during the 2026 primary election. SCR 1616 would amend the constitution to cap property tax increases at 3% annually, using 2022 values as the starting point. There are exemptions for new construction and significant improvements. The Senate passed it 30-10 on Wednesday, February 25, and it now goes to the House for a second committee hearing.
STAR Bonds bill approved by House
H Sub for Sub for SB 197, expanding the Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bonds program, passed the House with a vote of 82-38 on Thursday, February 26.
The bill now goes back to the Senate, which will likely vote to nonconcur with the changes, and a conference committee will be appointed. Three members of each chamber will meet to negotiate the difference between the House and Senate positions.
Sales Tax Exemption For Commercial Remodelling Construction Labor Receives Hearing
On Wednesday, February 25, the House Taxation Committee heard HB 2162, a bill exempting construction labor on commercial remodelling projects from sales tax (watch here). HB 2162 was introduced in 2025 at the request of the Associated General Contractors of Kansas. They were joined by the Kansas, Wichita, and Overland Park chambers of commerce in supporting the bill.
Committee members were skeptical due to the high fiscal note - roughly $90 million in foregone tax revenue annually - but the proponents spoke about how removing the tax will spur additional rehabilitation projects across the state.
The Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee will hear an identical bill - SB 148 - on Thursday, March 5.
Public Comment for White House Ballroom
The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) has opened public comments on the proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom addition to the White House.
Written comments are due March 4 at Noon ET. Give your comments here.
The White House is a National Historic Landmark and National Park, owned by the American people and stewarded by the National Park Service.
Commissioners need to hear directly from the public. Please take a few minutes to submit your comment.
Committees Hearings
Wednesday (3.04.2026) - DAY 52
1:30 - Senate Commerce: HB 2739 hearing
1:30 - House Commerce, Labor, and Economic Development: SB 418 hearing
Thursday (3.5.2026) - DAY 53
9:30 - Senate Assessment and Taxation: SB 148 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. It was amended in conference committee to include the Board of Technical Professions. The House approved the new language and sent it to the Senate for a vote.
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 has a hearing on Thursday, March 5, in the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee.
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 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 passed the Senate 37-2, and had a hearing in House Commerce, Labor, and Economic Development on Wednesday, February 25.
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 residential land within the corporate limits of a city to be considered zoned for single-family residential use. It has a hearing on Wednesday, March 4, in House Commerce, Labor, and Economic Development.
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 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 had a hearing on Wednesday, February 25, in the House Taxation Committee.
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 2588 establishes statewide electrician licensing by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. It is in the Senate Commerce Committee, and no hearing has been scheduled yet.
HB 2739 prohibits municipalities from requiring fire sprinklers in multifamily residential dwellings up to four units. It has a hearing on Wednesday, March 4 in the Senate Commerce Committee.
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
