March 14, 2026 Kansas Pet Advocates Weekly Legislative Update

Reily Goyne
Mar 14
3 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

Neonate Foster Care Bill Passes House Committee!

The House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources amended and passed out SB 344 on Tuesday, March 10 (watch here). SB 344 allows shelters to place stray neonates in foster homes during the three-day stray-hold period, and to post photos at the shelter and online (if the shelter has a website) during the hold period.

After last week’s hearing, KPA learned that a representative was considering an amendment requiring the Animal Facilities Inspection (AFI) program to provide two hours’ notice before conducting routine inspections. KPA opposed the amendment and urged committee members to reject the amendment if it were introduced. Several shelters also contacted their representatives to express support for SB 344 and opposition to the potential amendment.

During the Committee’s discussion, Reps. Doug Blex (R-Independence) and Fred Gardner (R-Garnett) stated that they want to amend the inspection process. However, Reps. Angel Roeser (R-Manhattan) and Brett Fairchild (R-St. John) encouraged the Committee to pass the bill and discuss the inspection process at another time. In the end, no amendments to the inspection process were offered, and the Committee voted to pass the bill out with no opposition.

Write your Representative NOW

KPAAB Discusses Proposed New Vet Care Form

The Kansas Pet Animal Advisory Board (KPAAB) held its first meeting of the year on Wednesday, March 11, via Zoom. The most significant portion of the meeting involved a discussion of the proposed new vet care form that the Animal Facilities Inspection (AFI) program is updating to address the new regulations currently being processed.

AFI Program Director Dr. Sasha Thomason indicated that the vet care form is still being revised, and they will also solicit feedback from the two vets on the Board.

KPA encourages shelters and rescues to share the new form with their vet of record and send your comments to KDA.AFI@ks.gov.

AFI also shared program updates and ongoing initiatives affecting the state’s agriculture industry (slide deck here).

The next meeting will be on June 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM on Zoom

If you want to get emails about future meetings, email Heather Landsdowne and ask to be put on the meeting notice list.

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 was passed out of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday, March 11.

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 was passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, March 5.

Mark Your Calendar for Future KPA Partner Meetings