Why It Matters: Following the short veto session, the Kansas legislative session has adjourned until next January. This year, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) was active in the Sunflower State, hosting two legislative events, growing Caucus membership, working to advance legislative priorities, and successfully secured a pro-sportsmen’s victory with the passage of House Bill 2501, allowing for continued and unimpeded lawful acquisition, ownership, and use of suppressors for hunters and recreational shooters.
Highlights:
- The 2026 legislative session has come to a close in Kansas.
- It was a successful session for sportsmen in the Sunflower State, with two of CSF’s legislative priorities advancing.
- House Bill 2501 (HB 2501) was signed into law by Governor Laura Kelly, while House Bill 2543 (HB 2543) passed through committee and has built momentum for next session.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation had a busy legislative session in Kansas. The Kansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted two successful legislator events and introduced two CSF legislative priorities, one of which passed.
After passing both the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support, Governor Laura Kelly signed House Bill 2501 on April 9. HB 2501 removes the criminal prohibition against firearm suppressors in Kansas. By removing the criminal prohibition against suppressors, HB 2501 reconciles any potential issues with state statutes that may arise if suppressors are no longer regulated through the National Firearms Act. This clarification of state statute allows for continued and unimpeded lawful acquisition, ownership, and use of suppressors for hunters and recreational shooters. CSF, along with several partner organizations, supported the legislation in various forms since the start of the legislative session.
Legislation to reimburse the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) for free and discounted licenses was also introduced as House Bill 2543. HB 2543 was assigned to the House Committee on Appropriations after being introduced by Representative Will Carpenter, Kansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair. This legislation was heard and passed out of committee, but was unable to make it to the House floor for a vote before the session ended.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation would like to thank Governor Kelly and the members of the Kansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus for their support of sportsmen and women this legislative session. Although HB 2543 did not see the Governor’s pen this year, its passage out of Committee has laid a solid footing for next session, where CSF will work to capitalize on its forward momentum.
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