Kansas Association of Beverage Retailers: Legislative Lunch and Retailer Meeting
Monday, February 16 - Topeka
The Pennant, 2nd floor private room, 915 S Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS 66612
11:00 a.m. KABR Business and Policy meeting - Board Members and KABR Members
12:00 - 1:15 p.m. Legislators Luncheon - State Legislators and Retailers
Please use the rest of the day to meet with your legislators if they are unable to meet you at the lunch.
Since the Beer Law, retailers have not been as active with the Kansas Legislature, but it is time to get back into action. There are many new legislators in the House of Representatives who need to see and learn from their retailers. Come to Topeka for a short business meeting and lunch with legislators.
Last week, three new bills of interest were introduced:
Municipalities would be able to charge a privilege tax for the privilege of selling alcoholic beverages, food and food ingredients and tobacco within a community improvement district in addition to the sales taxes to pay off the bonds for the development. See SB 490.
Anheuser-Busch requested legislation to cut the gallonage tax in half for beer produced in the United States - calling it the American Beer Act. See HB 2714.
A group of legislators requested legislation to allow cities to levy up to an additional 2% enforcement tax on alcohol sales to offset property tax reduction. See HB 2630.
These are added to the following bills already being tracked by KABR.
The Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee introduced SB 56- the Walmart Home Delivery legislation in 2025. So far, no hearing has been scheduled.
The Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control sponsored legislation in 2025. to require cereal malt beverage licenses to be issued at the state level - instead of the current process of local licensing and a state permit. HB 2376 passed House Federal and State Affairs committee last session and may see further action this year. A bill is expected in the Senate.
A new bill will allow alcohol sales 23 hours a day 7 days a week during the FIFA World Cup from June 11 to July 19, 2026. A county may pass an ordinance to opt out. Read SB 393 here. We do not know if a hearing will be scheduled for this bill.
Other legislation includes a bill to amend the prohibition for licensing individuals with felony history to own retail liquor stores, drinking establishments and caterers - read SB 261. Senate Federal and State Affairs held a hearing February 3.
Retailers must communicate with policymakers to represent our small businesses for these issues and those that will be coming up in the future. Most legislators enjoy getting to know their local business owners - and this is a great opportunity to say hello!
Dress is business casual.
Contact: Amy Campbell - 785-969-1617
