All Roll Calls
Yes: 768 • No: 212
KansasHB 23332025–2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Enacting the Kansas intellectual rights and knowledge act, providing a civil cause of action and penalties for violations of such act and authorizing students and student associations to exercise political and ideological beliefs, values and missions.
Sponsored By: Committee on Insurance
Became Law
senate committee on financial institutions and insurancehouse committee on insurance
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Money damages for campus speech violations
People whose expressive rights are violated, or the Kansas attorney general, can sue colleges and their agents acting officially. Courts can stop violations and award damages, reasonable court costs, and attorney fees; institutions have no immunity under this act. Required damages are at least $500 for the initial violation, plus $50 for each continuing day. Daily damages start the day after the complaint is served and include days a violating policy stays in effect. When several people are harmed, the court divides damages fairly among them.
Stronger free speech protections on campus
Kansas colleges must treat generally accessible outdoor areas as public forums and cannot confine lawful expression to special speech zones. Time, place, and manner rules must be published, content- and viewpoint-neutral, narrowly serve a significant campus interest, and leave ample alternatives. They must allow spontaneous gatherings and literature distribution. Colleges may restrict major disruptions, constitutionally unprotected speech, and unwelcome harassment so severe, pervasive, and offensive that it effectively denies equal educational access; brief, minor, nonviolent outdoor disruptions do not qualify as major disruptions. For events requiring permits, security fees must follow published, neutral rules—not the message or expected reaction; location, audience size, and alcohol service are allowed factors.
Student groups gain campus benefit protections
Kansas colleges cannot deny religious, political, or ideological student groups benefits because of belief-based membership or leadership rules. This covers sincerely held beliefs, values, missions, and related conduct standards. Eligible groups consist of admitted students, hold or seek official recognition, and receive or seek campus benefits. Protected benefits include recognition, meeting space, communication channels, and funding available to other student groups. Affected students or groups can sue for relief, including money damages, or raise violations as defenses or counterclaims in civil or administrative cases.
Colleges must explain campus speech practices
Kansas colleges must publish speech policies online, in handbooks, and in orientation programs, and prepare responsible staff to follow them. Annual reports to the governor and legislature are due by the first day of each regular legislative session. Reports must cover compliance, barriers, disruptions, and related discipline while protecting students' personal information. The public must reach reports within three links from the college homepage, without registration. Colleges sued over alleged First Amendment violations must submit complaints and amended complaints within 30 days after receiving filing notice.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Committee on Insurance
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 85 Nay: 38
Yes: 85 • No: 38
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 85 Nay: 39
Yes: 85 • No: 39
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 40 Nay: 0
Yes: 40 • No: 0
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 117 Nay: 6
Yes: 117 • No: 6
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 28 Nay: 12
Yes: 28 • No: 12
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 29 Nay: 11
Yes: 29 • No: 11
Senate vote • 4/9/2026
Motion to override veto prevailed
Yes: 29 • No: 11
House vote • 4/9/2026
Motion to override veto prevailed
Yes: 85 • No: 38
House vote • 3/27/2026
Conference Committee Report was adopted
Yes: 85 • No: 39
Senate vote • 3/27/2026
Conference Committee Report was adopted
Yes: 28 • No: 12
Senate vote • 3/18/2025
Final Action - Passed as amended
Yes: 40 • No: 0
House vote • 2/20/2025
Final Action - Passed
Yes: 117 • No: 6
Actions Timeline
Engrossed on Sunday, March 29, 2026
4/9/2026HouseEnrolled and presented to Governor on Monday, March 30, 2026
4/9/2026HouseVetoed by Governor; Returned to House on Wednesday, April 8, 2026
4/9/2026HouseMotion to override veto prevailed; Yea 85, Nay 38, Absent 2
4/9/2026HouseMotion to override veto prevailed; Yea 29, Nay 11
4/9/2026SenateConference Committee Report was adopted; Yea 28, Nay 12
3/27/2026SenateConference committee report now available
3/27/2026SenateConference Committee Report was adopted; Yea 85, Nay 39, Absent 1
3/27/2026HouseConference committee report now available
3/26/2026SenateConference Committee Report agree to disagree adopted; Sen. Renee Erickson, Sen. Adam Thomas and Sen. Dinah Sykes appointed as second conferees
3/26/2026SenateConference Committee Report agree to disagree adopted; Rep. Susan Estes, Rep. Kyle McNorton and Rep. Jerry Stogsdill appointed as second conferees
3/26/2026HouseSen. Renee Erickson, Sen. Adam Thomas, and Sen. Dinah Sykes are appointed to replace Sen. Brenda Dietrich, Sen. Michael Fagg, and Sen. Marci Francisco on the Conference Committee
3/25/2026SenateRep. Susan Estes, Rep. Kyle McNorton, and Rep. Jerry Stogsdill are appointed to replace Rep. Bill Sutton, Rep. Brian Bergkamp, and Rep. Cindy Neighbor on the Conference Committee
3/23/2026HouseNonconcurred with amendments; Conference Committee requested; appointed Rep. Bill Sutton, Rep. Brian Bergkamp and Rep. Cindy Neighbor
3/20/2025HouseMotion to accede adopted; Sen. Brenda Dietrich, Sen. Michael Fagg and Sen. Marci Francisco appointed as conferees
3/20/2025SenateFinal Action - Passed as amended; Yea 40, Nay 0
3/18/2025SenateCommittee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
3/17/2025SenateCommittee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
3/17/2025SenateCommittee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance
3/11/2025SenateHearing: Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 9:30 AM — Room 546-S
3/4/2025SenateReferred to Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance
2/26/2025SenateReceived and Introduced
2/25/2025SenateFinal Action - Passed; Yea 117, Nay 6, Absent 2
2/20/2025HouseCommittee of the Whole - Be passed
2/19/2025HouseCommittee Report recommending bill be passed by House Committee on Insurance
2/18/2025House
Bill Text
As Amended by Senate Committee
As Introduced
Enrolled
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