Kansas Senate approves tax and forfeiture bills, adopts Article V convention resolution; appoints conference committee on SB 4

The Kansas Senate on Feb. 27, 2025, recorded multiple floor actions: it passed Substitute Senate Bill 33, an act concerning sales taxation; passed Senate Bill 137, concerning asset seizure and forfeiture; adopted a concurrent resolution applying to Congress for a convention to propose constitutional amendments; and directed a conference committee on house amendments to Senate Bill 4.

The clerk opened by announcing the passage of several measures transmitted from the House earlier in the day, including House Bills 2107, 2291 and 2056, and a senate bill noted as passed as amended. Later, the clerk read the titles for the two substitute bills considered on a roll call: Substitute Senate Bill 33 (sales taxation) and Senate Bill 137 (Kansas standard asset seizure and forfeiture act).

On the roll call for Substitute Senate Bill 33, the clerk recorded 40 senators voting in favor and none opposed; the measure was declared passed. On Senate Bill 137, the clerk recorded 39 in favor and one opposed; the measure was declared passed. The chamber took the votes publicly on the record.

The Senate also considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 1604, a concurrent resolution applying to the U.S. Congress to call a convention for proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution that would impose limits on the federal government. Senators delivering floor explanations argued both for and against such a convention. One senator warned that delegates to a convention would not be legally bound by state-imposed limits and cited instances of states rescinding applications; another senator argued that Article V exists to allow states to initiate amendments and framed the resolution as a step to address federal overreach and the national debt. The clerk closed the roll with 29 senators voting in favor and 11 opposed; the concurrent resolution was adopted.

On motions to address differences with the House on Senate Bill 4, the Senate moved to nonconcur in the House amendments and requested a conference committee. The motion to nonconcur was adopted by voice vote, and the chamber appointed conferees on behalf of the Senate (names announced on the floor). The clerk also reported committee recommendations and introductions, including introduction of Senate Bill 281 (an act concerning the state treasurer) and committee reports recommending passage of House Bill 2261 and Senate Bill 213.

The Senate adjourned pro forma until 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 28, 2025.

Votes at a glance - Substitute Senate Bill 33 (sales taxation): Passed; recorded roll call 40–0. - Senate Bill 137 (Kansas standard asset seizure and forfeiture act): Passed; recorded roll call 39–1. - Senate Concurrent Resolution 1604 (apply to Congress to call an Article V convention to propose limits on the federal government): Adopted; recorded roll call 29–11. - Motion to nonconcur with House amendments to Senate Bill 4 and appoint conference committee: Adopted (voice vote); conferees appointed by the Senate.