TOPEKA
March 23, 2026
Progress continues the State Budget. The House and Senate negotiated last Friday on the difference between the two budgets. The conference committee will meet again first thing on Monday morning and hope to have an agreement by Monday evening.
A few of the bills which passed the Senate last week were:
S Sub for HB 2501 passed and is designed to protect federally licensed firearm dealers (gun shops) from being sued when they return a firearm to its lawful owner after a temporary hold. If a gun was held (for safekeeping or another legal reason) this bill says the dealer cannot be held civilly liable for giving the firearm back once the hold ends, as long as they are following the law.
The bill gives gun dealers legal protection when they are simply returning someone’s property after a lawful hold period is over, helping ensure they are not exposed to lawsuits for carrying out that responsibility properly.
HB 2378 is headed to the Governor and creates the Removal of Squatters Act to help property owners deal with people who are living in a home without permission. Under this bill, an owner or agent can file a sworn affidavit with law enforcement stating that someone is unlawfully occupying the property. From there, the sheriff can issue a notice to vacate and remove the person without requiring the owner to go through the full, often lengthy eviction court process.
At the same time, the bill includes safeguards to prevent abuse. It makes it a crime to file a false affidavit, and it allows someone who was wrongly removed to sue for damages, including attorney fees and potentially punitive damages.
HB 2374 is also headed to the Governor's desk. This bill is designed to help Kansas address shortages in key medical specialties by creating a new student loan program for future doctors who agree to practice in underserved areas. Under the bill, the University of Kansas Medical School of Medicine can offer loans (and stipends) to medical students who commit to working full-time in needed specialties, like psychiatry or other high-demand fields in part of the state that lack sufficient providers, particularly rural areas.
The bill also streamlines existing programs by combining separate funding streams (like those for OB_GYN and psychiatry) into one flexible specialty medical loan repayment fund, allowing the state to better target workforce needs as they evolve.
SB 366 will restrict the use of handheld cell phones while driving in certain high-risk areas, such as school zones and active construction zones. Under the bill, drivers would not be allowed to use a mobile phone in these areas except in limited situations (like hands-free use or emergencies), and law enforcement would be allowed to stop and cite drivers who violate the rule.
I am honored and grateful to represent the 40th Senate District in Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email: rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov or call me with your questions or concerns. My office number is 785-296-7399 or my cell number is 785 899-4700. If you are in Topeka, stop by my office at 545-S.