The bill, Senate Substitute for House Bill 2745, aimed to limit local government spending and give residents the power to block increases.
Local budgets could grow by no more than 3% or the rate of inflation, whichever was lower. If they exceeded that, 10% of registered voters could sign a protest petition to stop the increase.
If successful, the budget would be forced back to the previous year’s level — even if costs had risen.
Supporters said this would give taxpayers more control over rising property taxes. But critics warned it could create instability, since a relatively small number of voters could overturn budgets already in place.
Local officials said that uncertainty could make it harder to fund infrastructure, public safety and growth — and could even affect the ability to borrow money for projects.
Why the Veto Likely Ends the Plan
The bill passed narrowly — 63-59 in the House and 22-18 in the Senate — well short of the two-thirds majority required to override a governor’s veto.
That means lawmakers would need significant additional support to revive it, making its path forward unlikely.
Second Plan Falls Short in the House
Recognizing those limits, Republican lawmakers shifted to a different strategy: putting the issue directly before voters.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 1603 would have amended the Kansas Constitution to allow lawmakers to limit how much property values can increase — a key driver of rising tax bills.
If approved by the Legislature and voters, it would have given lawmakers broad authority to cap valuation increases starting in 2028.
But the proposal failed Thursday in the House, 69-54, also falling short of the two-thirds majority required to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
Opponents argued that valuation caps could create long-term inequities in the tax system, while supporters said they were necessary to slow rising property taxes.
What Kelly’s Plan Would Do
Her proposal focuses on direct relief and incentives:
A one-time $250 vehicle tax credit for all vehicle owners, paid from the state’s rainy day fund
A $60 million annual fund (growing by 2% each year) to reward cities and counties that keep budget growth at about 3% or less
Doubling the homeowner exemption on the state’s school property tax from $75,000 to $150,000, with the state covering the cost to maintain school funding
The homeowner exemption would reduce the taxable value of homes, lowering tax bills, while the state replaces the lost revenue using the State General Fund.
A Stalled Path Forward
For now, both sides remain far apart.
Republicans continue to push for structural limits on taxes and spending, while the governor is emphasizing state-funded relief and local flexibility.
With neither side showing signs of backing down — and little time left in the session — meaningful property tax reform this year is increasingly uncertain.
Kelly’s veto of the property tax plan was part of a broader wave of decisions, as she also rejected several other high-profile bills passed during the session.
Voting Bills — New Limits on Mail Voting, IDs and Registration
House Bill 2569 would centralize election-related lawsuits in Shawnee County and create a trigger that could significantly limit mail voting. If courts block or weaken signature verification requirements for mail ballots, Kansas would end no-excuse mail voting and restrict it only to voters who meet specific conditions, such as being out of town or unable to vote in person. Kelly said the bill could disenfranchise voters.
House Bill 2587 would require Kansas driver’s licenses and IDs to display citizenship status. At polling places, anyone presenting an ID marked as a noncitizen but claiming to be eligible would be required to cast a provisional ballot. Critics say it could create confusion and added scrutiny for some voters.
House Bill 2437 would expand how Kansas maintains voter rolls by requiring regular cross-checks with federal and state databases, including immigration, motor vehicle and Social Security records. It also requires state agencies to share personal data and limits online voter registration to .gov or state-approved websites. Supporters say it strengthens election integrity, while critics warn it could lead to eligible voters being wrongly flagged or removed.
Kelly vetoed all three, citing concerns that they could create barriers for eligible voters.
give me a quick write up on both the immigration rules the one with ICE and what it allows and the one on students who are undocumented who will not longer qualify for instate tuition. give me about 150 words on those two combine call them anti immigrant legislation
Here’s a clear, combined write-up at about 150 words:
Immigration Measurers — Cooperation With Ice and Tuition Restrictions
One measure would expand cooperation with federal immigration authorities, allowing and in some cases requiring state and local law enforcement to work more closely with ICE. Supporters say it strengthens enforcement of immigration laws, while critics argue it could discourage immigrants from reporting crimes or cooperating with police out of fear.
A second bill would bar undocumented students from qualifying for in-state tuition at Kansas colleges and universities, reversing a long-standing policy that allowed certain students who grew up in Kansas to pay resident rates. Opponents say the change would put higher education out of reach for many students and hurt the state’s workforce pipeline.
Kelly vetoed both measures, citing concerns about fairness, economic impact and the message they send to immigrant communities.
SB 391 — Blocks Local Tenant Protections
Senate Bill 391 would limit how far cities and counties can go in regulating landlords, effectively blocking local tenant protection policies.
The bill would prevent local governments from requiring landlords to accept tenants using Section 8 or other housing assistance programs, where participation is typically voluntary. It also would protect landlords’ ability to screen tenants using credit scores, eviction history, criminal background and other criteria, without local restrictions.
In addition, the bill would stop cities from capping security deposits or requiring policies such as giving tenants the first chance to buy a property.
In practice, the measure reinforces landlords’ control over who they rent to and under what terms, while preventing cities from adopting rules aimed at expanding housing access for low-income renters.
Supporters view it as a way to protect property rights and ensure consistent rules across the state. Opponents argue it removes local tools designed to address housing shortages and affordability.
Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed the bill, saying it would make it harder for Kansans to find affordable housing and takes decision-making power away from local communities.
HB 2468 — Expands Private School Tax Credits
House Bill 2468 would expand Kansas’ private school scholarship tax credit program, raising the annual cap from $10 million to $15 million and maintaining a credit equal to 75% of donations.
The bill also would enroll Kansas in a federal tax credit program set to begin in 2027, allowing donors to receive both state and federal tax credits for contributions.
Scholarships are distributed through nonprofit organizations and can be used at accredited private schools, including religious schools. The program has largely served low-income students, with a significant share of funding going to Catholic schools. The funds can also be used at private schools (in Wichita Urban Prep Academy is an example).
The bill passed 76-44 in the House and 27-12 in the Senate, short of the votes needed to override a veto.
Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed the measure, saying the state should prioritize funding public schools and special education.
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House Bill 2569 would centralize election-related lawsuits and create a trigger that could restrict mail voting in Kansas. The bill requires all legal challenges to state election laws to be filed in Shawnee County. More significantly, if a court blocks or limits signature verification rules for mail ballots, the law would automatically end no-excuse mail voting. In that case, only voters meeting specific conditions — such as being out of town, disabled or unable to vote in person — could vote by mail.
Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed the bill, saying it would disenfranchise voters by limiting access to mail voting and restricting legal challenges.
House Bill 2587 would require Kansas driver’s licenses and IDs to display a person’s citizenship status. At polling places, anyone showing an ID marked as a noncitizen but claiming to be a citizen would be required to cast a provisional ballot instead of a standard one .
Supporters say the change strengthens election security. Critics argue it could create confusion, lead to additional scrutiny for some voters and discourage participation.
Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed the bill, saying it addresses a problem that does not exist.
