March 7, 2026 Kansas Pet Advocates Weekly Legislative Update

Reily Goyne
Mar 7
4 min read

ACT NOW: Ask your Representatives to Support

ACT NOW! Ask Your Representative to Support SB 344 and Reject Any Amendment to Eliminate Unannounced Inspections  SB 344 and REJ

Write your Representative NOW!!

On Wednesday, March 4, the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee heard SB 344 (watch here). 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.

KPA has learned that a representative may attempt to use SB 344 to eliminate the statutory requirement for unannounced inspections of Licensees under the Act. KPA opposes this and is educating the committee on it. Unannounced inspections enable regulators to observe genuine operating conditions rather than staged compliance, ensuring that health, safety, and consumer protection standards are met consistently.

Email your representatives NOW to urge them to support the bill and oppose any amendment to eliminate unannounced inspections. KPA lobbyists have spoken with several committee members who have indicated their support for the bill. It will be worked on on Tuesday, March 10.

KPA Deputy Director Reily Goyne testified, joined by Sydney Mollentine, Humane Society of Greater Kansas City, Emily Wallace, Great Plains SPCA, and Jasmine Kyle, SEK Humane Society. Sen. Doug Shane (R-Louisburg) also presented testimony as the bill’s sponsor. There were no opponents.

Written testimony was provided by Ashley Flores, Great Plains SPCA; Ellen Querner, Pals Animal Rescue and Spay/Neuter Kansas; Jane Dockery, Olathe Animal Shelter; Jacqueline Morino, Great Plains SPCA; Trent Eddy, Great Plains SPCA; and Vanessa Cowie, Prairie Paws Animal Shelter.

It was clear that Committee members want to know more about the work shelters and rescues do for their communities. Members asked several questions of the shelter representatives about their operations and how they provide care for vulnerable pets.

The League of Kansas Municipalities is proposing an amendment that does not require shelters to post photos on a website if they do not have one. KPA does not oppose this amendment.

Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) Bill Passes the Senate Judiciary Committee

On Monday, March 2, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 2535, a bill decriminalizing trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) for feral cats (watch here). KPA Executive Director Terry Humphrey testified, joined by Dr. Heidi Bradford, Topeka Community Cat Fix, Jasmine Kyle, SEK Humane Society, and Nika Orebaugh, animal control officer.

Written proponent testimony was provided by Midge Grinstead, Humane World for Animals; Christy Fischer, Wichita Animal Action League; Crystal Swann Blackdeer, Leavenworth County Humane Society; and Zack Pistora, Kansas Sierra Club. There were no opponents.

Committee members asked thoughtful questions and showed interest in learning more about TNVR and shelter operations.

On Thursday, March 5, the Senate Judiciary Committee worked on the bill and voted unanimously to pass it out of committee. Chair Kellie Warren (R-Leawood) offered one amendment to change the bill’s effective date from publication in the statute book (which occurs in the summer) to publication in the Kansas Register, which is issued weekly.

The bill now awaits debate and a vote by the full Senate. KPA is working with Senate leadership to have the bill scheduled for floor debate.

Committee Schedule

Tuesday (3.10.2026) - DAY 58

3:30 - House Agriculture and Natural Resources: SB 344 work session
3:30 - House Taxation: Sales tax informational briefing

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 had a hearing in House Agriculture and Natural Resources on Wednesday, March 4, and will be voted on by the 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 had a hearing in Senate Judiciary on Monday, March 2, and was passed out of Committee on Thursday, March 5.