January 30, 2026 Kansas Pet Advocates Weekly Legislative Update

Reily Goyne
Jan 30
3 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

Spay/Neuter Funding Moves Forward J

KPA Partners Unite to Support Neonate Bills

On Tuesday, January 27, the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee heard SB 344, which amends the three-business-day stray hold statute to allow shelters to place neonates in foster homes during the stray hold period. Leavenworth County Humane Society’s Crystal Swann Blackdeer, SEK Humane Society’s Jasmine Kyle, Humane Society of Greater Kansas City’s Sydney Mollentine, and Kansas Pet Advocates Executive Director Terry Humphrey joined Sen. Doug Shane (R-Louisburg) in testifying in support of the bill. Watch the replay on YouTube.

Opponent testimony submitted by Kansas Pet Professionals, Petland Topeka, and several breeders focused on the bill’s inclusion of “sick and injured” animals. Opponents did not object to allowing the placement of neonates in foster homes. KPA had already worked with Sen. Shane to prepare an amendment removing this language to gain the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s support. KPA also worked with stakeholders to reach consensus on defining the term “neonate” to include in the bill.

The Committee can work on the bill over the next two weeks, but it must be passed by the Committee and the full Senate by Thursday, February 19, to meet deadlines and advance to the House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, a sister bill, HB 2581, has been introduced in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, and KPA is lobbying to secure a hearing as soon as possible.

TNVR Decriminalization Bill

Hearing on Monday for HB 2535

Decriminalizing trap-neuter-vaccinate-return

The House Judiciary Committee is hearing HB 2535 on Monday, February 2, at 3:30 PM. HB 2535 clarifies that trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) for feral cats does not violate the animal cruelty statute. Kansas Pet Advocates will testify in support of the bill alongside shelters, rescues, and animal control.

You can watch the hearing live and the replay on YouTube, and a link will be shared on Monday. Please let the committee know you support this legislation.

HEARING ALERT: SALES TAX EXEMPTION

With the support of Rep. Susan Estes (R-Wichita), the Chair of the House Taxation Committee, Rep. Adam Smith (R-Weskan), has agreed to hold a hearing on HB 2077, the sales tax exemption for licensed non-profit shelters and rescues.

The hearing is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, February 11. KPA encourages you to begin working on your testimony now. Legislators need to know the work you perform for their communities, and how much more you could do if you didn’t have to pay sales tax.

Questions? Contact Reily Goyne.

Committee Schedule

Monday, February 2

9:00 - House Appropriations: Kansas Department of Agriculture budget report
3:30 - House Judiciary: HB 2535 hearing

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 is in 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 Committee, and no hearing is set.

SB 344 authorizes animal shelters to place certain animals needing treatment or care in foster homes and requires shelters to display photographs of animals at a location other than the shelter during a holding period. It had a hearing on Tuesday, January 27, in Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources.

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 a hearing scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, in the House Taxation Committee.

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 is set.

HB 2535 clarifies that trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) for feral cats does not violate the animal cruelty statute. It has a hearing on Monday, February 2, in House Judiciary.

HB 2581 authorizes animal shelters to place certain animals needing treatment or care in foster homes and requires shelters to display photographs of animals at a location other than the shelter during a holding period. It is in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, and no hearing has been set.

HB 2582 establishes the developing veterinary medicine in rural Kansas program within the Kansas department of agriculture and provides financial assistance and support to certain veterinarians practicing in rural communities. It is in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, and no hearing has been set.

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