Bill > HB2451

This bill amends existing Kansas law to prohibit government officers and employees from using public resources, such as public funds, vehicles, equipment, or their compensated work time, to advocate for or against proposed amendments to the Kansas Constitution or any ballot question submitted to voters. The bill clarifies that "public funds" includes money from state, county, city, school district, or other political subdivisions. It also mandates that any informational material about a proposed bond issue paid for with public funds must include a detailed fiscal disclosure statement or a link to one, providing neutral, factual information about the financial impact, including the principal amount, total estimated cost with interest, repayment duration, outstanding debt, estimated annual debt service, and the estimated property tax impact in actual dollar amounts. Furthermore, it prevents publications funded with public money from implying that a bond issue won't raise taxes based solely on mill levy calculations without also providing the actual dollar cost to property owners and explaining that a stable mill levy can still mean a tax increase if property valuations rise. The bill explicitly states that this information must be presented in plain language and be clearly visible, and that nothing in this section permits the use of public funds for advocacy, with all required information being strictly informational and neutral. It also clarifies that this prohibition does not apply to an incumbent officer campaigning for their own reelection or to personal staff of elected officials, nor does it limit the freedom of speech of individuals speaking in their personal capacity, and allows government entities to present factual information to educate voters on ballot questions.

Government Affairs

Elections (House)

https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2451/