Prohibiting certain public nuisance claims

State Bills: Kansas

Published April 9th, 2026

Detected April 2nd, 2026

Summary

Kansas SB462 modifies public nuisance law by restricting who may file certain public nuisance claims. The bill designates the Attorney General as the primary party authorized to file public nuisance claims affecting areas beyond a single political subdivision, unless such authority is delegated. The legislation also imposes a special injury requirement for certain public nuisance actions.

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What changed

Kansas SB462 establishes a new framework for public nuisance claims in the state. The bill specifically limits the ability to file public nuisance claims that are not wholly contained within one political subdivision to the Attorney General alone, with authority to delegate. It also mandates that plaintiffs demonstrate special injury to bring certain public nuisance actions.

Legal practitioners and affected parties should note that this legislation significantly narrows standing to pursue public nuisance claims in Kansas. Private parties seeking to file such claims outside their jurisdiction must now obtain authorization from the Attorney General. The bill passed with varying levels of legislative support across multiple votes, indicating some controversy around the restriction of litigation rights.

What to do next

Review existing and anticipated public nuisance litigation to assess impact of new standing requirements
Consult with legal counsel regarding delegation procedures if affected by multi-jurisdictional nuisance claims
Update litigation strategies to account for special injury requirements

Source document (simplified)

ChangeBridge / Kansas / SB462 Enrolled SB462 Senate Bill Enrolled 2026-04-09

Prohibiting certain public nuisance claims, providing that only the attorney general may file claims regarding public nuisances that are not wholly contained in one political subdivision unless the attorney general delegates authorization to file such claims and requiring special injury for certain public nuisance actions.

Bill Details

State Kansas

Session 2025-2026 Regular Session

Chamber Senate

Official Source kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb462/

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Action History

2026-04-09 S Senate Enrolled and presented to Governor on Monday, March 30, 2026 2026-03-27 S Senate Conference Committee Report was adopted; Yea: 29 Nay: 10 2026-03-27 H House Conference Committee Report was adopted; Yea: 86 Nay: 37 2026-03-27 H House Conference committee report now available 2026-03-27 S Senate Conference Committee Report agree to disagree adopted; Senator Warren, Senator Titus and Senator Corson appointed as second conferees 2026-03-26 H House Conference Committee Report agree to disagree adopted; Representative Humphries, Representative Williams, L. and Representative Osman appointed as second conferees 2026-03-26 H House Conference committee report now available 2026-03-23 H House Motion to accede adopted; Representative Humphries, Representative Williams, L. and Representative Osman appointed as conferees 2026-03-23 S Senate Nonconcurred with amendments; Conference Committee requested; appointed Senator Warren , Senator Titus and Senator Corson as conferees 2026-03-18 H House Emergency Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea: 84 Nay: 40 2026-03-18 H House Committee of the Whole - Be passed as amended 2026-03-18 H House Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted 2026-03-18 H House Committee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by Representative Osman 2026-03-12 H House Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Committee on Judiciary 2026-03-04 H House Hearing: Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 3:30 PM Room 582-N 2026-02-25 H House Referred to Committee on Judiciary 2026-02-25 H House Received and Introduced 2026-02-18 S Senate Emergency Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea: 29 Nay: 11 2026-02-18 S Senate Committee of the Whole - Be passed as amended 2026-02-18 S Senate Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted 2026-02-16 S Senate Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Committee on Judiciary 2026-02-10 S Senate Hearing: Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 10:30 AM Room 346-S 2026-02-04 S Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary 2026-02-03 S Senate Introduced

Votes

2026-02-18 Senate Emergency Final Action - Passed as amended - Yea: 29 Nay: 11 Yea: 29 Nay: 11 2026-03-18 House Emergency Final Action - Passed as amended - Yea: 84 Nay: 40 Yea: 84 Nay: 40 2026-03-27 House Conference Committee Report was adopted - Yea: 86 Nay: 37 Yea: 86 Nay: 37 2026-03-27 Senate Conference Committee Report was adopted - Yea: 29 Nay: 10 Yea: 29 Nay: 10

Committee Referrals

2026-02-04 S Judiciary 2026-02-25 H Judiciary

Amendments

2026-02-16 Senate Committee on Judiciary Report 2026-03-12 House Committee on Judiciary Report 2026-03-18 House Floor Amendment (Committee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by Representative Osman) 2026-03-26 Conference Committee Report 2026-03-27 Conference Committee Report