All Roll Calls
Yes: 179 • No: 17
KansasSB 2412025–2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Providing that restrictive covenants in certain contracts are enforceable and not considered a restraint of trade in certain circumstances.
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
judiciary
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Tougher non-solicit rules for owners
Written non-solicit promises by owners are presumed enforceable. A promise not to recruit a company’s employees or owners can last up to four years after the ownership ends. A promise not to contact the company’s customers is enforceable only for customers the owner had material contact with, and for no more than four years. A written promise to give advance notice before selling or ending an ownership stake is also enforceable. These rules protect a company’s staff and customers, but they can limit an owner’s actions after leaving.
Some industries exempt from restraint law
The law exempts some groups from the Kansas restraint of trade act. These include cooperative marketing groups, Capper-Volstead farm associations, certain electric cooperatives and wholesale providers owned by multiple cooperatives, credit union associations, entities under the Packers and Stockyards Act, and franchise agreements and covenants not to compete. These arrangements are not treated as unlawful restraints under state law.
Stronger non-solicit rules for workers
Written non-solicit promises between an employer and an employee are easier to enforce. A ban on recruiting a company’s employees or owners is presumed valid if it protects trade secrets, confidential info, or goodwill, or if it lasts no more than two years after the job ends. A ban on contacting customers is presumed valid if it is limited to customers the worker had material contact with and lasts no more than two years. These rules make some post-job limits on workers easier to enforce.
New court rules on covenants and antitrust
Courts judge restraints by what is reasonable under all the facts and cannot allow restraints that harm public welfare. If a covenant is too broad or not needed, the court must narrow it and enforce only what is reasonably necessary. Employees and owners can still raise any legal or fairness defenses, and existing private suits and attorney general actions remain. Kansas follows U.S. Supreme Court antitrust rulings, except the new subsection (c) rules control if there is a conflict. The law defines key terms and replaces the prior version of K.S.A. 50-163.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 38 Nay: 0
Yes: 38 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 101 Nay: 17
Yes: 101 • No: 17
Senate vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 40 Nay: 0
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Enrolled and presented to Governor on Friday, April 4, 2025
4/10/2025SenateApproved by Governor on Tuesday, April 8, 2025
4/10/2025SenateConcurred with amendments; Yea: 38 Nay: 0
3/25/2025SenateCommittee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
3/20/2025HouseCommittee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
3/20/2025HouseEmergency Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea: 101 Nay: 17
3/20/2025HouseCommittee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Committee on Judiciary
3/19/2025HouseHearing: Thursday, February 27, 2025, 3:30 PM Room 582-N
2/27/2025HouseReceived and Introduced
2/20/2025HouseReferred to Committee on Judiciary
2/20/2025HouseCommittee of the Whole - Be passed
2/19/2025SenateEmergency Final Action - Passed; Yea: 40 Nay: 0
2/19/2025SenateCommittee Report recommending bill be passed by Committee on Judiciary
2/17/2025SenateHearing: Friday, February 14, 2025, 10:30 AM Room 346-S
2/14/2025SenateReferred to Committee on Judiciary
2/7/2025SenateIntroduced
2/6/2025Senate
Bill Text
As Amended by House Committee
As introduced
Enrolled
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