KPA Legislative Update February 28, 2025

General Statehouse Update

By Reily Goyne, KPA Deputy Director

After a four-day weekend, legislators returned to the Statehouse on Tuesday, February 25 to begin the second half of the session. Committees will work until Tuesday, March 18 to hold hearings and pass bills to be debated on the floor of each chamber. With the end of the session rapidly approaching, there is little time to work and several of the session’s largest policy issues, including property taxes and school funding, have yet to be debated. Reach Out to Your Senators Today About Senate Bill 130 SB 130 amends the Kansas Pet Animal Act (KPAA) statutes. This bill was "blessed", meaning it was referred to an exempt committee so it can have a hearing and be passed at any point during the remainder of the session.

This bill is a near-identical version of legislation introduced in March 2024 which did not receive a hearing. The key provisions of this bill include:

• Continuous access to water for dogs and cats, unless otherwise specified by a veterinarian

• Requiring all licensees, including those also licensed by the USDA, to meet the standards of adequate veterinary care

• Compensating shelters and rescues for care provided to animals seized by the Animal Facilities Inspection (AFI) program

• Requiring closing inspections for licensees with dogs or cats

This bill is unrelated to the proposed regulatory changes posted in August and December.

Contact your Senators today (find who your Senator is here) and urge them to ask the Chair of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee to hold a hearing on this critical bill. March 2025 Quarterly Kansas Pet Animal Advisory Board Meeting

Please attend the Kansas Pet Animal Advisory Board meeting on Wednesday, March 5 at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom. Take advantage of the public comment period at the end of the meeting to share your thoughts with the Animal Facilities Inspection (AFI) staff.

Contact Crystal Swann-Blackdeer with your thoughts about the proposed changes to the regulations on general housing requirements and indoor and sheltered housing requirements, which will be discussed at the meeting.

Agenda for March meeting

Regulation Changes under Consideration

Zoom link Bills to Watch SB 59 exempts licensed nonprofit shelters and rescue networks from paying sales tax, and extends the exemption for construction materials purchased for shelters. It has been referred to Senate Assessment and Taxation, and no hearing has been set.

SB 130 amends the Kansas Pet Animal Act. It has been introduced in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources, and no hearing has been set.

HB 2077 exempts licensed nonprofit shelters and rescue networks from paying sales tax, and extends the exemption for construction materials purchased for shelters. It has been referred to House Taxation Committee, and no hearing has been set.

HB 2395 establishes an income tax credit for medical expenses for adopted dogs and cats. It is in the House Taxation Committee and no hearing has been set yet. Rep. Angela Martinez (D-Wichita) requested this bill. Don't Miss The Next KPA Partner Meeting

Join KPA Partner Meetings

Stay informed and be involved, don't miss KPA's Monthly Partner Meetings:

Friday, March 14 at 10 a.m.

Friday, April 11 at 10 a.m.

Friday, May 9 at 10 a.m.

Please register for these meetings here.