February 28, 2026 Kansas Pet Advocates Weekly Legislative Update
- Reily Goyne
- Feb 28
- 3 min read
ACT NOW: Ask your Representatives to Support
HB 2535 - TNVR Decriminalization Senate Committee Hearing is set for Monday SB 344 and RE
J
After last week’s overwhelmingly supportive vote in the House, HB 2535, decriminalizing trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) for feral cats, is scheduled for a hearing on Monday, March 2, in the Senate Judiciary Committee. KPA lobbyists are meeting with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to secure their support for HB 2535. Let Senators know how TNVR helps your community manage feral cat overpopulation and why the bill is important. KPA will issue an action alert for constituents to contact their Senators and urge them to vote YES. Keep an eye on your inbox and our social media.  KPA Executive Director Terry Humphrey and Deputy Director Reily Goyne met with Senator Kellie Warren (R-Leawood) on Wednesday, February 26, 2026 to discuss HB 2535. |
Bill to Allow Placement of Stray Neonates in Foster Care has House Committee Hearing WEDNESDAY
 The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee is hearing SB 344 on Wednesday, March 4, at 3:30 PM. SB 344, as amended, allows shelters to place stray neonatal puppies and kittens in foster homes during the stray holding period, and to place photos of the animals online and at the shelter for the public to inspect and reclaim. It also includes changes to the records retention schedule for all Animal Facilities Inspection (AFI) licensed facilities. SB 344 passed the Senate unanimously. KPA lobbyists are speaking with committee members to gain support. Below is KPA’s testimony, and we encourage you to read and sign at the link below to show your support. Please help us pass this bill bysubmitting individual testimony. You must email Committee Assistant Dana Rooney by Monday at 3:30 with your intent to submit testimony. Testimony must be submitted as a PDF via email, including the cover sheet, by 10:00 AM on Tuesday, March 3. See the committee rules here for complete instructions. |
Spay/Neuter Funding Included in House Budget
The House has passed its version of the state budget, which includes $50,000 dedicated to spay/neuter services.
The funding proposal provides:
$50,000 to reimburse shelters caring for animals seized through the Animal Facilities Inspection (AFI) program
$25,000 for spay/neuter surgeries performed by the K-State Mobile Veterinary Clinic
$25,000 for community-based spay/neuter grant funding
Any unused funds designated for seizure reimbursement will carry over into the next fiscal year to expand spay/neuter grant opportunities.
KPA is actively advocating with House and Senate budget negotiators to ensure this funding remains in the final budget for fiscal year 2027.
Committee Schedule
Monday (3.2.2026) - DAY 50
10:30 - Senate Judiciary: HB 2535 hearing
Wednesday (3.4.2026) - DAY 52
3:30 - House Agriculture and Natural Resources: SB 344 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. It is exempt from deadlines.
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. It is exempt from deadlines.
SB 344 authorizes animal shelters to place neonates 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 has a hearing in House Agriculture and Natural Resources on Wednesday, March 4.
HB 2077 exempts licensed nonprofit shelters and rescue networks from paying sales tax and extends the exemption for construction materials purchased for shelters. It had a hearing on Wednesday, February 11, in the House Taxation Committee. It is exempt from deadlines.
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. It is exempt from deadlines.
HB 2535 clarifies that trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) for feral cats does not violate the animal cruelty statute. It passed the House 98-18 and has a hearing in Senate Judiciary on Monday, March 2.
Kansas Pet Animal Advisory Board (KPAAB) Meeting
The next Kansas Pet Animal Advisory Board meeting is Wednesday. March 11, 2026, at 10:00 AM on Zoom Part of the discussion at Wednesday meeting will be the new KDA draft vet care form. Click here to view the new form. If you want to get emails about future meetings, email Heather Landsdowne and ask to be put on the meeting notice list. |
Don't Miss The Next KPA Partner Meeting
Comments