Chair Alley opened the hearing on SB 369.

Staff provided an overview of the bill. (Attachment 1)

Proponents:

Kristy Baughman, Executive Director, United Community Services (UCS), spoke in favor of the bill. (Attachment 2) The bill would ensure that landlords disclose all fees and rental costs up front, before accepting an application fee or security deposit from a potential tenant sets a cap on late fees of 5%, and allows a 5-day grace period before late fees are assessed.

Rachel Russell, self, appeared in support of the bill. (Attachment 3) The bill provides a reasonable and balanced solution.

Molly Mendenhall, Director of Statewide Initiatives, stood in support of the bill. (Attachment 4) The bill offers transparency in fees related to rental housing.

Myranda Agnew, Regional Coordinator, Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition, spoke in support of the bill. (Attachment 5) She supports the bill because hidden fees, excessive late penalties, and the lack of grace period are directly contributing to housing instability and in many cases, homelessness.

Sister Amy Wilcott, Director, Depaul USA Leavenworth Attainable Housing, spoke in support of the bill. (Attachment 7) The bill offers practical protections that help keep people housed and prevent avoidable housing instability.

Brandi Galbreath, Community Housing Coordinator, City of Emporia, spoke in support of the bill. (Attachment 8) The bill provides a balanced approach that protects Kansas renters from exploitation and other predatory and illegal practices while allowing landlords to protect their interests and ensure fair competition.

Testimony was provided by KIFA. (Attachment 29)

Written testimony in support of the bill was received from:

Mike Hoheisel, Council Member, City of Wichita (Attachment 6)

Senator Dinah Sykes (Attachment 9)

Katie Killen, Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City (Attachment 10)

Jim McDonald, United Way of Greater Kansas City (Attachment 11)

Sierra Lashbrook, Self (Attachment 12)

Emma Shankland, Impact Strategist - Policy, Health Forward Foundation (Attachment 13)

Casey Johnson, Director of Advocacy and Litigation, Kansas Legal Services (KLS) (Attachment 14)

Adalia Carter, self (Attachment 15)

Christine English-Baird, Haysville, Kansas (Attachment 16)

Johnathan Smith, Private Citizen (Attachment 17)

Dalton Black, Executive Director, United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties (Attachment 18)

Michelle Furry, Sedgwick County Resident (Attachment 19)

Cameron Erlandson, CEO, Avenue of Life (Attachment 20)

Cat Butler, self (Attachment 21)

Talita Leikam, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Attachment 22)

Michael Mascorro, Sedgwick County Resident (Attachment 23)

Dakota Horner, Wichita, Kansas (Attachment 24)

Dustin Hare, Kansas Action for Children (Attachment 25)

Sara Lilian Shine, Overland Park, Kansas (Attachment 26)

Opponent:

Ed Jaskinia, President, The Associated Landlords of Kansas (TALK) spoke in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 28) Section of the Residential Landlord Tenant Act of 1975, a model of fair law for both Landlords and Tenants were provided. Mr. Jaskinia requested that a interim study be done before several of the landlord/tenant bills be passed in the 2026 Legislative session.

Opponent written only:

Martha Smith, Executive Director, Kansas Manufactured Housing Association (Attachment 27)

Chair Alley closed the hearing on SB 369.