All Roll Calls
Yes: 323 • 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: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
public health and welfarehealth and human services
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Bidding edge for disabled veteran businesses
The state gives certified and disabled‑veteran businesses a bid edge. They can win even if up to 10% higher than the lowest bid, if they keep their share of employees with disabilities and cap subcontracting at 25%. Evaluated bids drop by what you bought last year from qualified or certified vendors (up to 10%), and Kansas‑assembled vehicle bids get a 3% evaluation drop. Ties go to in‑state bidders; for paper products, ties go to the highest recycled content. To qualify, a disabled veteran must have at least a 10% VA rating and firms must meet certification rules (Kansas‑based, at least 10% Kansas‑resident employees with disabilities, pay at least 75% of each employee’s health premium, and no 29 U.S.C. § 214(c) wages). Certified status is checked every three years, and the state keeps bid records open to the public.
Faster licenses for servicemembers and spouses
More people qualify for Kansas’ military licensure portability. Current servicemembers, reserves, National Guard, and former members with an honorable discharge are included. A military spouse’s application counts as complete even if fees are not paid yet. This speeds up licensing and can lower upfront costs for military families seeking work.
Homestead tax refunds for veterans
The law updates who can claim Kansas homestead property tax refunds. Eligible groups include people with disabilities, people age 55+ or 65+ (depending on the refund type), disabled veterans, and certain surviving spouses until they remarry. For these refunds, veterans’ disability pay and Social Security disability payments do not count as income. A disabled veteran under this program must live in Kansas, have an honorable or general discharge, have a service‑connected disability from duty, and have a VA rating of at least 50%.
Old sections repealed and replaced
The law repeals listed Kansas statutes that governed prior rules for veteran status, hunting and fishing licenses, occupational licensure, procurement, IDs and plates, and homestead refunds. These old sections are removed so the new, standardized rules in this act control going forward. This cleans up and consolidates the code across these topics.
Free hunting and fishing for disabled vets
Disabled veterans can get a free permanent hunting and fishing license. You must have a service‑connected disability from duty and a VA rating of 30% or higher. Honorable or general‑under‑honorable discharge is required. The law also recognizes veteran groups listed in 38 C.F.R. § 3.7.
Veteran status on IDs and plates
The law aligns who counts as a veteran with federal rules (38 C.F.R. § 3.7) for Kansas IDs and related programs. You can add a VETERAN mark to your driver’s license or nondriver ID by showing DD‑214, NGB‑22, or similar discharge papers showing honorable or general‑under‑honorable service. Starting January 1, 2025, more veterans can qualify for the 1st Infantry Division license plate. The law also sets “disabled veteran” at a service‑connected rating of at least 50% for uses tied to this statute and requires the disability to be from duty.
Standard ID proof for veteran disability benefits
Agencies must accept one of six IDs to verify eligibility for benefits tied to a veteran’s service‑connected disability. Accepted IDs include a U.S. passport, unexpired REAL ID driver’s license, Veterans Health ID card, veterans ID under 38 U.S.C. § 5706, a DOD common access card, or DOD IDs listed in 32 C.F.R. 161(b). Agencies cannot demand extra or improvised paperwork beyond these.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
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 • 4/23/2026
Yea: 119 Nay: 0
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
4/10/2025HouseConference 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
3/27/2025HouseRepresentative Thompson, Representative Butler, and Representative Poskin are appointed to replace Representative Carpenter, W., Representative Bryce, and Representative Ruiz, S. on the Conference Committee
3/26/2025HouseSenator Thompson and Senator Faust Goudeau are appointed to replace Senator Gossage and Senator Holscher on the Conference Committee
3/26/2025SenateNonconcurred with amendments; Conference Committee requested; appointed Representative Carpenter, W. , Representative Bryce and Representative Ruiz, S. as conferees
3/20/2025HouseMotion to accede adopted; Senator Gossage, Senator Clifford and Senator 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 Committee on Public Health and Welfare
3/13/2025SenateHearing: Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 8:30 AM Room 142-S
3/11/2025SenateReferred to Committee on Public Health and Welfare
2/20/2025SenateFinal Action - Passed; Yea: 119 Nay: 0
2/19/2025HouseReceived and Introduced
2/19/2025SenateCommittee of the Whole - Be passed
2/18/2025HouseCommittee Report recommending bill be passed by 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 Committee on Health and Human Services
2/5/2025House
Bill Text
As Amended by Senate Committee
As introduced
Enrolled
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