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HB 2253KANSASSession 2025-2026State Billdead
Did Not Advance

Kansas HB 2253 classifies livestock and farm equipment theft as a felony and authorizes property forfeiture

Original title: AN ACT concerning crimes, punishment and criminal procedure; relating to theft of property; providing that the violation the theft of livestock or implements of husbandry is a severity level 5, nonperson felony; allowing for the forfeiture of property used in the commission of theft of an implement of husbandry; amending K.S.A. 21-5801 and 22-4807a and repealing the existing sections.

Last action · April 10, 2026: Died in Committee

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

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What This Bill Proposed

The bill classifies the theft of livestock or implements of husbandry as a severity level 5 nonperson felony and authorizes the forfeiture of property used in or acquired through such thefts.

Why it matters

Changes criminal penalties and asset seizure rules for agricultural crimes, directly impacting farmers, ranchers, and individuals charged with property theft.

Background
  • The measure was introduced by the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources during the 2025-2026 legislative session and ultimately died in committee. context

Who It Would Have Affected

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

Directly affected

Farmers and Ranchers

Agricultural producers experience changes in legal protections and asset recovery rules regarding livestock and farm equipment.

Directly affected

Individuals Charged with Theft

Offenders face enhanced felony classifications and broad asset forfeiture provisions for stealing livestock or implements of husbandry.

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 penalty does the bill establish for stealing livestock or farm equipment?
The bill establishes the theft of livestock or an as a .
What animals are included under the definition of livestock in this measure?
Livestock is defined to include cattle, swine, sheep, goats, horses, mules, domesticated deer, and s not indigenous to the state such as ostriches, emus, and rheas, along with their carcasses and parts.
Can jointly titled property be seized if only one owner is involved in the theft?
Yes, property with two parties on the title or a cosigner is subject to forfeiture if one party uses it in the commission of the felony or receives titled property as proceeds, even if the second party claims no knowledge or involvement.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died in committee.

Procedural history

4 actions
  1. Apr 10, 2026House
    Died in Committee
  2. Feb 13, 2025House
    Hearing: Thursday, February 13, 2025, 3:30 PM — Room 582-N
  3. Feb 4, 2025HouseIntroduced
    Introduced
  4. Feb 4, 2025HouseCommittee
    Referred to House Committee on Judiciary

Version history

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

View official text →

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.

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift95% confidence

Expansion of Agricultural Asset Forfeiture

The bill explicitly expands property forfeiture provisions to cover any conveyances, records, and jointly owned property connected to the theft of livestock or farm equipment.

Connected Entities

House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, United States
OrganizationHouse Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources“Legislative committee sponsoring House Bill 2253”Map →
locationUnited States“Mentioned in the definition of mail service”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.kslegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance20
    Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
  • Controversy50
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz30
    Current news / social attention level

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