Kansas HB2505: Providing an exception for Kansas department of wildlife and parks records regarding the location of any species that is threatened, endangered or in need of conservation from the disclosure requirements of the Kansas open records act

What the bill says

An act concerning public records; providing an exception for Kansas department of wildlife and parks records regarding the location of any species that is threatened, endangered or in need of conservation from the disclosure requirements of the Kansas open records act; amending K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 45-221 and repealing the existing section.

From the introduced text, January 21, 2026:

AN ACT concerning public records; providing an exception for Kansas department of wildlife and parks records regarding the location of any species that is threatened, endangered or in need of conservation from the disclosure requirements of the Kansas open records act; amending K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 45-221 and repealing the existing section. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas: Section 1. K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 45-221 is hereby amended to read as follows: 45-221. (a) Except to the extent disclosure is otherwise required by law, a public agency shall not be required to disclose: (1) Records the disclosure of which is specifically prohibited or restricted by federal law, state statute or rule of the Kansas supreme court or rule of the senate committee on confirmation oversight relating to information submitted to the committee pursuant to K.S.A. 75-4315d, and amendments thereto, or the disclosure of which is prohibited or restricted pursuant to specific authorization of federal law, state statute or rule of the Kansas supreme court or rule of the senate committee on confirmation oversight relating to information submitted to the committee pursuant to K.S.A. 75-4315d, and amendments thereto, to restrict or prohibit disclosure. (2) Records that are privileged under the rules of evidence, unless the holder of the privilege consents to the disclosure. (3) Medical, psychiatric, psychological or …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Blake Carpenter (R) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. April 10, 2026: Died on Calendar
2. March 26, 2026: Conference Committee Report agree to disagree adopted; Rep. Ken Rahjes , Rep. Lance W. Neelly and Rep. Linda Featherston appointed as second conferees
3. March 26, 2026: Conference Committee Report agree to disagree adopted; Sen. Virgil Peck , Sen. Craig Bowser and Sen. Marci Francisco appointed as second conferees
4. March 26, 2026: Sen. Craig Bowser is appointed to replace Sen. Larry Alley on the Conference Committee
5. March 25, 2026: Rep. Ken Rahjes , Rep. Lance W. Neelly , and Rep. Linda Featherston are appointed to replace Rep. Tom Kessler , Rep. Rebecca Schmoe , and Rep. Heather Meyer on the Conference Committee
6. March 24, 2026: Motion to accede adopted; Sen. Virgil Peck , Sen. Larry Alley and Sen. Marci Francisco appointed as conferees
7. March 23, 2026: Nonconcurred with amendments; Conference Committee requested; appointed Rep. Tom Kessler , Rep. Rebecca Schmoe and Rep. Heather Meyer
8. March 19, 2026: Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea 39, Nay 1
9. March 18, 2026: Committee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
10. March 18, 2026: Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted

Votes

• Final Action Amended (March 19, 2026): 39 yea, 1 nay, passed
• Final Action - Passed as amended (February 18, 2026): 124 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB2505?

HB2505 is a bill in the Kansas Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Providing an exception for Kansas department of wildlife and parks records regarding the location of any species that is threatened, endangered or in need of conservation from the disclosure requirements of the Kansas open records act.

What does HB2505 do?

In its own words: An act concerning public records; providing an exception for Kansas department of wildlife and parks records regarding the location of any species that is threatened, endangered or in need of conservation from the disclosure requirements of the Kansas open records act; amending K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 45-221 and repealing the existing section.

What is the status of HB2505?

In committee as of April 10, 2026. Latest action: Died on Calendar (April 10, 2026).

Who sponsored HB2505?

Blake Carpenter (R).

Where is the official record for HB2505?

On the Kansas Legislature website: https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2505/