Kansas House Bill HB2255

Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/4/25
• Refer: 2/4/25
• Report Pass: 2/18/25
• Engrossed: 2/25/25
• Refer: 2/26/25
• Report Pass: 3/19/25
• Enrolled: 4/10/25
• Passed: 4/10/25

Caption

Amending definitions concerning weights and measurers increasing minimum invoice fees, requiring licenses and education for service company operators and mandating annual device inspections, except for devices with a nominal capacity of 250 pounds or greater used in grain elevators; increasing the CREP acreage cap to 60,000 acres, clarifying eligibility and criteria, allowing exceptions for specific conditions and modifying reporting requirements to cover the last five years.

Impact

The proposed legislation will consolidate existing definitions related to weights and measures, leading to clearer guidelines and expectations for operators and consumers alike. By enforcing annual testing and inspection requirements, the bill seeks to uphold standards that will protect consumers from deceptive practices, thereby enhancing public trust in the commercial sector. Furthermore, it opens avenues for enhanced education and training requirements for technical representatives, which could lead to improved measurement accuracy statewide.

Summary

House Bill 2255 aims to modernize and enhance the regulation of weights and measures in Kansas by consolidating definitions and creating more rigorous licensing requirements for service companies operating within this realm. One of the notable changes is an increase in the minimum invoice fee charged to $70, which reflects an adjustment to operational costs in administering these regulations. The bill mandates annual inspections for commercial devices, ensuring they are accurately measuring and weighing, thus promoting fair trading practices across the state.

Sentiment

Overall sentiment surrounding HB 2255 tends to be positive among stakeholders who advocate for stricter regulations and better consumer protections. Supporters believe the bill will bring necessary improvements to Kansas’ regulatory framework, making it more robust and compliant with contemporary practices. However, some concerns have emerged regarding the financial burden increased fees may impose on small service companies and whether this could translate into higher costs for consumers.

Contention

Some points of contention include the potential pushback from service companies who may argue that the increased fees and mandatory licensure stipulations could reduce competition in the marketplace. They might raise concerns regarding the feasibility of compliance, particularly for smaller entities already operating on thin margins. Furthermore, discussions around how the conservation reserve enhancement program’s acreage cap and related environmental concerns will be managed in the context of increased agricultural demands could also lead to debates among agricultural stakeholders.