The Kansas Legislature adjourned its regular session on April 11, 2025. NFIB State Director Dan Murray held a virtual event to recap the legislative session. During the event, Murray outlined several victories, challenges, and opportunities for reform in future legislative sessions.

Below are a handful of the small business victories, challenges, and opportunities discussed during the event.

VICTORIES

• SB 35: Broad Based Property Tax Relief

Ahead of the legislative session, NFIB Kansas members identified property tax relief as their number one priority, with more than eighty-eight percent of members reducing the statewide property tax mill levy. SB 35, which was passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor, would reduce property taxes by $80-$100 million.

• Sub for SB 54: Greater Transparency in Kansas’ Legal Landscape

According to NFIB’s annual survey, 86% of Kansas members who participated in the survey believe Kansas should require the disclosure of third parties with a financial interest in litigation. Sub for SB 54, which was passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor, requires the disclosure and study of the growing practice of third parties, such as hedge funds and foreign actors, investing in litigation as an investment.

• HB 2291: Regulatory Relief for Kansas Start-Ups

Following the lead of several other states, HB 2291 will allow certain businesses to “play” in a regulatory sandbox without the burdensome rules and regulations that impede business development and growth. The Legislature passed and overrode the Governor’s veto of HB 2291.

CHALLENGES

There were multiple bills introduced this session that would have made it harder for you to own and operate your small business, including new taxes, employer mandates, and minimum wage hikes.

• SB 108: New Earnings Tax on Residents and Non-Residents

This bill authorizes Kansas counties to implement an earnings tax of up to 1% per year on both residents and non-residents who work in the county.

• SCR 1609: Repeal Right to Work

This constitutional amendment would repeal the “right to work” provision of the Kansas Constitution. Our state’s “right to work” status protects individual workers’ right to choose whether or not to join a union and pay dues.

• HB2264: Unleash a Patchwork of Regulation on Kansas Small Businesses

This bill would undo existing prohibitions on local governments from adopting ordinances over wages, compensation, and benefits. NFIB fought for these prohibitions in previous sessions to ensure greater certainty in the regulatory landscape.

Though these bills did not pass, it is safe to assume they will be re-introduced next year. NFIB will continue to oppose these bills.

OPPORTUNITIES

• SB 109: Compensate Retailers for Collecting Kansas’ Taxes

Currently, retailers are unpaid tax collectors for Kansas. SB 109 would allow for a 1.5% credit to retailers for each remittance of sales and use tax they are required to make, up to $300 a month. This is a reasonable effort to compensate retailers for their time and effort to collect taxes for the state. NFIB supports SB 109 and will continue advocating on this issue.

• HB 2089: Eliminate Credit Card Swipe Fees On Taxes and Tips

Currently, credit card companies are profiting off merchants who collect Kansas’ taxes and workers’ hard-earned tips. HB 2089, the Consumer Inflation Reduction and Tax Fairness Act, would exclude sales tax and tips from costly swipe fees (also known as interchange fees) charged by credit card networks. NFIB supports HB 2089 and will continue advocating on this issue.

• HB 2343: Provide Greater Certainty for No-Impact Home-Based Businesses

Roughly 60% of all non-employee small businesses in the United States are considered home-based. Nearly 70% of startups begin in the home or as a home-based business. HB 2343 ensures that municipalities cannot impose onerous regulations and ordinances on home-based businesses. NFIB supports HB 2343 and will continue advocating on this issue.

CLICK HERE to watch the full virtual event. CLICK HERE for the one-pager.

KEY TAKEAWAY: Stay Engaged With Your State Lawmakers

While there are many pro-small business lawmakers in the Kansas Legislature, your advocacy makes a difference! This session, NFIB Kansas secured several important victories and warded off some harmful proposals through our direct advocacy at the Capitol in Topeka. We hope you’ll continue to actively reach out and voice your concerns with lawmakers!