February 13, 2026 Kansas Pet Advocates Weekly Legislative Update
- Reily Goyne
- Feb 13
- 5 min read
ACT N: Ask your Representatives to Suppo and RE
Advocacy Efforts Bring TNVR Decriminalization to the Floor for Debate and a Passing Vote! J
Spay/Neuter Funding Included in House Budget Recommendations House Chamber Vote Next The House Appropriations Committee finished work on its budget proposal to be voted on by the full chamber. Included in the budget is $50,000 to compensate shelters for caring for animals seized by the Animal Facilities Inspection (AFI) program, $25,000 for spay/neuter surgeries performed by the K-State Mobile Veterinary Clinic, and $25,000 for community spay/neuter grants. Any unused seizure compensation funding will roll over to the next fiscal year to be used for spay/neuter grants. KPA is working to ensure this funding stays in the budget proposal as it’s debated on the House floor and in negotiations between the House and Senate budget committees. Keep an eye out for action alerts sent via email and shared on our social media channels! |
Bill Allowing Neonates in Foster Homes During Stray Hold Halfway Through Legislative Process
The Senate debated and unanimously passed SB 344 on Wednesday, February 11.
SB 344 allows shelters to place neonates in foster homes during the three-day stray hold period, provided they post photos of the animals online and at the shelter to satisfy owner notification. Neonates are defined as “a newborn animal that is less than eight weeks of age and dependent on such animal's mother or a caregiver due to undeveloped biological functions related to feeding, regulation of body temperature and elimination of waste.” The bill was also amended to include a change to the records retention schedule.
It now goes to the House, where it will be assigned to a committee, likely Agriculture and Natural Resources. KPA is working with Chairman Ken Rahjes (R-Agra) and bill sponsor Senator Doug Shane (R-Louisburg) to secure a hearing when legislators return after Turnaround.
Pictured to the right is KPA Deputy Director/Lobbyist Reily Goyne talking with Senator David Haley (D-Kansas City) after a conversation about SB 344.
Shelter & Rescue Sales Tax Exemption Gets Hearing
The House Taxation Committee heard HB 2077, the sales tax exemption for licensed nonprofit shelters and rescues, on Wednesday, February 11 (watch here). KPA Deputy Director Reily Goyne was joined by Danielle Husted of Great Plains SPCA, Vanessa Cowie of Prairie Paws Animal Shelter, Jasmine Kyle of SEK Humane Society, and Sydney Mollentine of the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City in testifying in support of the bill. Everyone did an excellent job and presented the strongest case possible for licensed nonprofit shelters and rescues to be exempt from sales tax.
Due to the Turnaround deadline next Thursday, the House Taxation Committee will not meet next week to discuss this bill; however, KPA is working with Chairman Adam Smith (R-Weskan) to pass it out of Committee. Since HB 2077 is a Tax bill, it is not subject to deadlines and can be advanced at any time.
Click the button below to send a direct email to your Representative who serves on the Tax Committee, urging them to support the bill.
TNVR Decriminalization Advances to House Floor
The House Judiciary Committee passed HB 2535 unanimously on Monday, February 9. HB 2535 decriminalizes trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) for feral cats. KPA is working with Rep. Lauren Bohi (R-Olathe) to learn when the bill will be debated on the floor of the House. We will send out an action alert to contact your representatives when the bill is scheduled for debate.
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. The Senate passed it unanimously, and it has been assigned to the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
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 is awaiting referral to a Senate committee.
HB 2581, sister bill to 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 missed the Turnaround deadline and is dead for the session.
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 missed the Turnaround deadline and is dead for the session.
HB 2698 provides for permanent seizures of animals in instances when the owner violates county resolutions. It missed the Turnaround deadline and is dead for the session.
HB 2707 modifies the definition of abuse in the protection from abuse act to include certain acts or threats related to pets and specifies that courts may include orders relating to pets in protection from abuse act orders. It missed the Turnaround deadline and is dead for the session.
Kansas Pet Animal Advisory Board (KPAAB) Meeting
The next Kansas Pet Animal Advisory Board meeting is 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. |
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