(Feb. 10, 2026) – Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 463, which prohibits certain individuals from recovering damages in certain civil actions and imposes requirements for actions involving negligent security. The committee heard from proponent O.H. Skinner, executive director of the Alliance for Consumers Action Fund. Opponent testimony was provided by David Morantz and Matthew Birch with the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association.

The committee also held a hearing on Senate Bill 462, which prohibits certain public nuisance claims, requires the attorney general to bring nuisance actions that are not wholly contained within a single political subdivision, requires special injury for certain public nuisance actions, and provides an accrual period for the statute of limitations in public nuisance actions.

Testimony was received by:

Proponents:

O.H. Skinner, executive director of the Alliance for Consumers Action Fund.

Opponents:

Nathan Eberline, Kansas League of Municipalities
Michael Koss City Attorney for Overland Park

Neutral:

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach highlighted the Opioid Settlement Funds and other examples of the need for this legislation.

The House Judiciary Committee is slated to hold a hearing on House Bill 2593, which would require a political subdivision to hold an open meeting to discuss a contingency-fee contract for legal services before approving it and would require the attorney general to approve such contracts.