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SB 398KANSASSession 2025-2026State BillSigned into law

Enacted

Kansas requires proponents to prove expert testimony is more likely than not helpful and reliable before trial

Original title: AN ACT concerning the rules of evidence; relating to testimony in the form of opinion; requiring a proponent to demonstrate that it is more likely than not that certain specialized knowledge will help the trier of fact to understand the evidence before certain qualified witnesses may testify; amending K.S.A. 60-456 and repealing the existing section.

Last action · April 9, 2026: Enrolled and presented to Governor on Monday, March 30, 2026

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Does

Kansas law now requires anyone offering expert witness testimony to demonstrate to the court that it is more likely than not that the expert's specialized knowledge, data, methods, and application will help the understand the evidence.

Why it matters

Litigants in Kansas courts face a stricter standard for admitting expert witness testimony, requiring formal proof of reliability and helpfulness before an expert may take the stand.

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

litigants

Litigants must provide formal proof of an expert witness's reliability and helpfulness before testimony can be admitted in court.

Directly affected

expert witnesses

Expert witnesses are subject to stricter statutory admissibility requirements regarding their data, methods, and application.

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

What must a proponent prove before an expert witness can testify?

The must demonstrate to the court that it is more likely than not that the expert's specialized knowledge will help the , is based on sufficient data, is the product of reliable principles and methods, and reflects a reliable application of those methods to the case.

Does this law affect non-expert witnesses?

Yes, non-expert witnesses are limited to opinions or inferences that are rationally based on their perception, helpful to a clear understanding, and not based on scientific, technical, or specialized knowledge.

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

22 actions

Apr 9, 2026Senate
Enrolled and presented to Governor on Monday, March 30, 2026
Apr 9, 2026SenateEnrolled
Approved by Governor on Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Mar 26, 2026Senate
Concurred with amendments in conference
Mar 23, 2026Senate
Nonconcurred with amendments; Conference Committee requested; appointed , and
Mar 23, 2026HouseFloor
Motion to accede adopted; Representative Humphries, Representative Williams, Representative Osman, , appointed as conferees
Mar 18, 2026House
Committee of the Whole - Now working on

Show 16 earlier actions

Mar 18, 2026HouseFloor
Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
Mar 18, 2026HouseFloor
Committee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
Mar 18, 2026HouseFloor
Motion to advance to Emergency Final Action adopted
Mar 18, 2026HouseFloor
Emergency Final Action - Passed as amended
Mar 12, 2026HouseFloor
Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by
Mar 3, 2026House
Hearing: Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 3:30 PM — Room 582-N
Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced
Received and Introduced
Feb 19, 2026HouseCommittee
Referred to House Committee on Judiciary
Feb 18, 2026Senate
Committee of the Whole - Now working on
Feb 18, 2026SenateFloor
Committee of the Whole - Be passed
Feb 18, 2026Senate
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Feb 18, 2026SenateFloor
Emergency Final Action - Passed
Feb 10, 2026SenateFloor
Committee Report recommending bill be passed by
Feb 5, 2026Senate
Hearing: Thursday, February 5, 2026, 10:30 AM — Room 346-S
Jan 28, 2026SenateCommittee
Referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary
Jan 27, 2026SenateIntroduced
Introduced

Version history

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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.

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