Kansas House passes Bill 2101 limiting municipal guaranteed income programs

The Senate Committee on Government Efficiency convened on March 10, 2025, to discuss House Bill 2101, which seeks to prohibit municipalities in Kansas from implementing guaranteed income programs funded by tax revenue without explicit legislative approval. The bill, which passed the House on February 20, 2025, with a vote of 86 to 37, aims to establish a new section of law that nullifies any existing ordinances related to guaranteed income programs prior to the bill's effective date of July 1, 2025.

The bill defines a guaranteed income program as one that provides regular cash payments to individuals without being mandated by federal law. A recent amendment clarified that the prohibition specifically applies to programs using tax revenue, requiring legislative consent for any such initiatives.

During the meeting, Steven Green from the Opportunity Solutions Project provided testimony in support of the bill. He emphasized that while the bill restricts tax-funded guaranteed income programs, it does not prevent cities from exploring such initiatives through private partnerships. Green noted that guaranteed income programs differ from traditional cash assistance programs, as they do not impose work requirements.

Green highlighted the growing interest in guaranteed income programs across the country, citing examples from California and cities like Des Moines, Iowa, and St. Louis, Missouri. He also referenced studies indicating mixed results regarding the effectiveness of universal basic income, including findings that health outcomes and work participation rates may decline over time for recipients.

The committee's discussions underscored the ongoing debate surrounding guaranteed income programs in Kansas, particularly as Douglas County and the city of Lawrence consider future participation in such initiatives. The meeting concluded without further questions, leaving the committee to reflect on the implications of the proposed legislation.