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HB 2109KANSASSession 2025-2026State BillSigned into law
Enacted

Kansas authorizes law enforcement equipment on utility poles and shields utilities from civil liability

Original title: AN ACT concerning law enforcement; relating to public utilities; exempting public utilities from civil liability relating to the attachment, access, operation, maintenance or removal of law enforcement equipment on any utility pole or other structure that is owned or operated by the public utility.

Last action · April 10, 2025: Approved by Governor on Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Does

Kansas law requires public utilities to enter into s with law enforcement agencies allowing them to install equipment on utility poles in public rights-of-way, while granting utilities immunity from related civil liability. Under the measure, law enforcement agencies must utilities, pay for actual costs and electricity, and remain solely responsible for obtaining necessary court orders. The provisions of this section are set to expire on July 1, 2027.

Why it matters

Law enforcement agencies gain statutory access to utility infrastructure for equipment mounting, while utility companies receive legal immunity from civil lawsuits arising from that equipment, shifting financial and legal responsibility entirely onto the participating agencies.

Background
  • House Bill 2109 addresses the legal and operational framework for mounting surveillance and law enforcement technology on utility infrastructure within public rights-of-way in Kansas. context

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Public utilities

Must enter into pole attachment agreements upon request, gain civil liability immunity, and are permitted to recover actual costs and electricity charges.

Directly affected

Law enforcement agencies

Must indemnify utilities, assume sole responsibility for court orders and legal compliance, and cover actual costs for equipment attachment and operation.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can public utilities charge law enforcement agencies for using utility poles?
Utilities cannot charge for the physical space required for law enforcement attachments, but they may charge reasonable fees to recover actual costs incurred for work related to the equipment, as well as charges for electricity if power is supplied.
Who is responsible if a court order is needed for law enforcement equipment operation?
The law enforcement agency is solely responsible for determining the need for any court order and for securing it when appropriate.
Are public utilities liable if the law enforcement equipment causes damage to utility infrastructure?
No, law enforcement agencies are generally liable for damages to utility systems or infrastructure caused by the equipment, unless the damage is determined to have been caused solely by the public utility.

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

23 actions
  1. Apr 10, 2025HouseEnrolled
    Approved by Governor on Tuesday, April 1, 2025
  2. Mar 27, 2025House
    Enrolled and presented to Governor on Friday, March 28, 2025
  3. Mar 26, 2025House
    Engrossed on Tuesday, March 25, 2025
  4. Mar 24, 2025House
    Concurred with amendments
  5. Mar 20, 2025Senate
    Committee of the Whole - Now working on
  6. Mar 20, 2025SenateFloor
    Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
Show 17 earlier actions
  1. Mar 20, 2025Senate
    Committee of the Whole - Motion to refer to committee failed
  2. Mar 20, 2025Senate
    Committee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by
  3. Mar 20, 2025SenateFloor
    Committee of the Whole - Amendment by was adopted
  4. Mar 20, 2025SenateFloor
    Committee of the Whole - Be passed as further amended
  5. Mar 20, 2025Senate
    fa_fabc_912
  6. Mar 20, 2025SenateFloor
    Emergency Final Action - Passed as amended
  7. Mar 13, 2025SenateFloor
    Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by
  8. Mar 5, 2025Senate
    Hearing: Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 1:30 PM — Room 548-S
  9. Feb 18, 2025SenateCommittee
    Referred to Senate Committee on Utilities
  10. Feb 17, 2025SenateIntroduced
    Received and Introduced
  11. Feb 14, 2025HouseFloor
    Final Action - Passed
  12. Feb 13, 2025House
    Committee of the Whole - Now working on
  13. Feb 13, 2025HouseFloor
    Committee of the Whole - Be passed
  14. Feb 7, 2025HouseFloor
    Committee Report recommending bill be passed by
  15. Feb 4, 2025House
    Hearing: Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 9:00 AM — Room 582-N
  16. Jan 28, 2025HouseIntroduced
    Introduced
  17. Jan 28, 2025HouseCommittee
    Referred to House Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Connected Entities

K.S.A. 75-6101, Legislature of the State of Kansas, K.S.A. 60-473 and 3 more
otherK.S.A. 75-6101“Statute citation for the Kansas tort claims act”Map →
OrganizationLegislature of the State of Kansas“Enacting legislative body”Map →
otherK.S.A. 60-473“Statute defining law enforcement personnel”Map →
OrganizationHouse Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications“Bill sponsor”Map →
otherKansas tort claims act“Statutory act referenced for public utility liability limitations”Map →
otherK.S.A. 66-104“Statute defining public utility”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.kslegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance60
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy25
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz15
    Current news / social attention level

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