All Roll Calls
Yes: 646 • No: 0
KansasHB 22802025–2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Adding a citation to the code of federal regulations to the definition of veteran and disabled veteran and removing the active requirement from military service members for occupational licensure.
Sponsored By: Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Signed by Governor
senate committee on public health and welfarehouse committee on health and human services
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More veteran families get resident tuition
The law expands Kansas resident tuition and fee eligibility to veteran groups recognized under federal regulation 38 C.F.R. § 3.7. Veterans must have established Kansas residency before active service or been stationed in Kansas for at least 11 months during active service. They must also live in Kansas when enrolling. Their spouses and dependents get the same rates when they live in Kansas at enrollment.
More disabled veterans qualify for refunds
Upon statute-book publication, the expanded federal service definition gives more disabled veterans access to Kansas homestead property-tax refunds. Claimants need a service-connected disability rating of at least 50% for a disability caused or worsened in the line of duty. They must have qualifying service and an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions. They must be Kansas residents and maintain Kansas as their permanent home throughout the calendar year before the claim.
More veteran businesses qualify for preferences
The expanded federal service definition lets more disabled-veteran businesses qualify for Kansas certification and contracting preferences. Both require at least 51% qualifying disabled-veteran ownership and veteran control of management and daily operations. For certification, effective upon statute-book publication, businesses must be based in Kansas and keep that ownership and control throughout the contract. Certification requires a disability rating of at least 10%, for a disability caused or worsened in the line of duty. The separate contracting preference requires at least 30%; its goal is at least 3% of covered contracts for disabled-veteran businesses. Veterans must also meet service requirements and have an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions.
More disabled veterans get free licenses
More Kansas disabled veterans qualify for a free permanent hunting and fishing license through the expanded federal service definition. Applicants need a service-connected disability rating of at least 30%. The disability must have been caused or worsened in the line of duty during qualifying service. Applicants must live in Kansas and have an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions. Hunting and fishing rules still apply.
More veterans protected from extra paperwork
More Kansas veterans receive document protections when seeking benefits tied to a service-connected disability. Coverage now includes veteran groups recognized under federal regulation 38 C.F.R. § 3.7. Kansas state agencies and municipalities may request only the identity documents allowed by law. They cannot demand other documents or add an extra step to verify authenticity.
More veterans qualify for vehicle credentials
The law expands veteran eligibility for Kansas veteran-designated driver's licenses, nondriver IDs, and certain vehicle credentials. It includes groups recognized under federal regulation 38 C.F.R. § 3.7. Veteran-designated license and ID applicants need a DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, or equivalent discharge record. Records must show an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions. Each credential's service, assignment, Kansas residency, and vehicle requirements still apply.
More veterans gain consumer protections
More veterans gain protected-consumer status under Kansas law through the expanded federal service definition. Surviving spouses also gain coverage where the consumer protection laws include them. This change expands legal protections rather than creating a separate payment.
More military spouses avoid license fees
Military spouses pay no covered Kansas fees to get or renew an occupational credential. The exemption now reaches spouses of current armed forces, reserve, and any state's National Guard members, plus honorably discharged former members. It covers application, license, registration, certification, endorsement, reciprocity, permit, and criminal background report fees.
More veterans get public job preference
More veterans and disabled veterans qualify for Kansas public employment preferences through the expanded federal service definition. The preference covers initial hiring and the first promotion in state, county, or city jobs. Applicants must still be able to do the job.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 119 Nay: 0
Yes: 119 • 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 • 3/27/2025
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 • 2/19/2025
Final Action - Passed
Yes: 119 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Engrossed on Tuesday, April 1, 2025
4/10/2025HouseEnrolled and presented to Governor on Friday, April 4, 2025
4/10/2025HouseApproved by Governor on Tuesday, April 8, 2025
4/8/2025HouseConference committee report now available
3/27/2025SenateConference Committee Report was adopted; Yea 40, Nay 0
3/27/2025SenateConference Committee Report was adopted; Yea 124, Nay 0, Absent 1
3/27/2025HouseRep. Mike Thompson, Rep. Nathan Butler, and Rep. Mari-Lynn Poskin are appointed to replace Rep. Will Carpenter, Rep. Ron Bryce, and Rep. Susan Ruiz on the Conference Committee
3/26/2025HouseSen. Mike Thompson and Sen. Oletha Faust Goudeau are appointed to replace Sen. Beverly Gossage and Sen. Cindy Holscher on the Conference Committee
3/26/2025SenateNonconcurred with amendments; Conference Committee requested; appointed Rep. Will Carpenter, Rep. Ron Bryce and Rep. Susan Ruiz
3/20/2025HouseMotion to accede adopted; Sen. Beverly Gossage, Sen. William Clifford and Sen. Cindy Holscher appointed as conferees
3/20/2025SenateCommittee 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 Public Health and Welfare
3/13/2025SenateHearing: Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 8:30 AM — Room 142-S
3/11/2025SenateReferred to Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare
2/20/2025SenateFinal Action - Passed; Yea 119, Nay 0, Absent 6
2/19/2025HouseReceived and Introduced
2/19/2025SenateCommittee of the Whole - Be passed
2/18/2025HouseCommittee Report recommending bill be passed by House Committee on Health and Human Services
2/11/2025HouseHearing: Monday, February 10, 2025, 1:30 PM — Room 112-N
2/10/2025HouseIntroduced
2/5/2025HouseReferred to House Committee on Health and Human Services
2/5/2025House
Bill Text
As Amended by Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare
As Introduced
Enrolled
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