All Roll Calls
Yes: 654 • No: 0
KansasHB 21342025–2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Amending the Kansas open records act by limiting certain charges for furnishing records and employee time required to make records available and exempting certain records from disclosure and amending the Kansas open meetings act by providing for the membership calculation of subordinate groups and requiring public bodies or agencies that live stream meetings to ensure that the public is able to observe.
Sponsored By: Committee on Judiciary
Signed by Governor
senate committee on judiciaryhouse committee on judiciary
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
Livestreamed meetings must remain fully viewable
Kansas public bodies that choose to livestream an open meeting must let viewers observe all parts through the chosen medium. The law does not require bodies to livestream meetings. An unintentional technology failure or a disruption caused by the service provider is not a violation.
Agencies can withhold more public records
Kansas agencies do not have to release audio or visual items copyrighted by someone else, including items used at public meetings. They can also withhold records containing material defined as obscene under state law. Some records from agency investigations of civil or administrative violations are also exempt from required release. This applies when an investigation formally closes with no violation found, or release would interfere with future proceedings. It also applies when release would identify a confidential source or undercover agent.
Records fees limited, but replies required
Kansas agencies can charge only actual costs tied to providing records, including needed review and redaction—not unrelated costs. They must use the lowest-cost staff category reasonably needed, charge wages without benefits, and provide itemized costs on request. When estimated staff time exceeds five hours or staff-time costs exceed $200, agencies must try to discuss lowering costs. Agencies must use the contact method the requester provided, but requesters do not have to agree to reduce costs. Without a reply by the end of the third business day after reasonable contact efforts, the request is withdrawn until the requester contacts the agency again.
Domestic violence program oversight protects records
The law creates a unit in the Kansas Attorney General’s Office to certify and inspect batterer intervention programs. Its records and investigations are confidential when state or federal law requires confidentiality. This protects covered information while limiting public access to it.
Public subgroups covered, private groups limited
A subcommittee or subordinate group created by a Kansas public body must follow open-meeting rules when its own majority meets. Unless another law says otherwise, a private entity counts as a subordinate group only when the public body controls it. That control can be direct or indirect.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Committee on Judiciary
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 123 Nay: 0
Yes: 123 • No: 0
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 124 Nay: 0
Yes: 124 • No: 0
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 40 Nay: 0
Yes: 40 • No: 0
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 40 Nay: 0
Yes: 40 • No: 0
House vote • 3/27/2025
Conference Committee Report was adopted
Yes: 124 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/26/2025
Conference Committee Report was adopted
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/19/2025
Emergency Final Action - Passed as amended
Yes: 40 • No: 0
House vote • 2/20/2025
Emergency Final Action - Passed as amended
Yes: 123 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Reengrossed on Monday, March 31, 2025
4/11/2025HouseLaw effective July 1, 2025
4/11/2025HouseEnrolled and presented to Governor on Friday, April 4, 2025
4/10/2025HouseApproved by Governor on Tuesday, April 8, 2025
4/8/2025HouseConference Committee Report was adopted; Yea 124, Nay 0, Absent 1
3/27/2025HouseConference committee report now available
3/26/2025SenateConference Committee Report was adopted; Yea 40, Nay 0
3/26/2025SenateMotion to accede adopted; Sen. Kellie Warren, Sen. Kenny Titus and Sen. Ethan Corson appointed as conferees
3/24/2025SenateNonconcurred with amendments; Conference Committee requested; appointed Rep. Susan Humphries, Rep. Laura Williams and Rep. Dan Osman
3/20/2025HouseCommittee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
3/19/2025SenateCommittee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
3/19/2025SenateEmergency Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea 40, Nay 0
3/19/2025SenateCommittee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Senate Committee on Judiciary
3/7/2025SenateHearing: Monday, March 3, 2025, 10:30 AM — Room 346-S
3/3/2025SenateReferred to Senate Committee on Judiciary
2/26/2025SenateEngrossed on Tuesday, February 25, 2025
2/26/2025HouseReceived and Introduced
2/25/2025SenateCommittee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
2/20/2025HouseCommittee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
2/20/2025HouseMotion to advance to Emergency Final Action adopted
2/20/2025HouseEmergency Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea 123, Nay 0, Absent 2
2/20/2025HouseCommittee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by House Committee on Judiciary
2/18/2025HouseHearing: Monday, February 3, 2025, 3:30 PM — Room 582-N
2/3/2025HouseIntroduced
1/28/2025HouseReferred to House Committee on Judiciary
1/28/2025House
Bill Text
As Amended by House Committee on Judiciary
As Amended by Senate Committee
As Introduced
Enrolled
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