CHAPTER 107
Senate Bill No. 403
An Act concerning motor vehicles; relating to license plates; providing for the pheasants forever and quail forever and delta waterfowl distinctive license plates; restricting the use of material or objects covering a license plate; relating to the Kansas uniform commercial drivers’ license act; modifying the definition of conviction in the uniform act; amending K.S.A. 8-133, 8-2,128 and 8-15,110 and repealing the existing sections.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
New Section 1. (a) On and after July 1, 2026, any owner or lessee of one or more passenger vehicles or trucks registered for a gross weight of 20,000 pounds or less who is a resident of Kansas, upon compliance with the provisions of this section, may be issued one license plate authorized by pheasants forever, inc., and established pursuant to this section for each such passenger vehicle or truck. Such license plate shall be issued for the same time as other license plates upon proper registration and payment of the regular license fee as provided in K.S.A. 8-143, and amendments thereto, and the payment to the county treasurer of the logo use royalty payment.
(b) Pheasants forever, inc., may authorize the use of the organization’s logos to be affixed on license plates as provided by this section. Any motor vehicle owner or lessee shall pay an amount of not less than $25 nor more than $100, as determined by pheasants forever, inc., as a logo use royalty payment for each such license plate to be issued. The logo use royalty payment shall be paid to the county treasurer.
(c) Subject to the approval of the director of vehicles, pheasants forever, inc., is authorized to establish two new distinctive license plates. Each such plate shall be subject to the provisions of K.S.A. 8-1,141, and amendment thereto. The plates are intended to promote:
(1) Pheasants forever; and
(2) quail forever.
(d) Any applicant for a license plate authorized by this section may make application for such license plate not less than 60 days prior to such person’s renewal of registration date, on a form prescribed and furnished by the director of vehicles, and any applicant for such license plate shall pay to the county treasurer the logo use royalty payment. Application for registration of a passenger vehicle or truck and issuance of the license plate under this section shall be made by the owner or lessee in a manner prescribed by the director of vehicles upon forms furnished by the director.
(e) No registration or license plate issued under this section shall be transferable to any other person.
(f) The director of vehicles may transfer a pheasants forever inc., authorized license plate from a leased vehicle to a purchased vehicle.
(g) Renewals of registration under this section shall be made annually, upon payment of the fee prescribed in K.S.A. 8-143, and amendments thereto, and in the manner prescribed in K.S.A. 8-132(b), and amendments thereto. No renewal of registration shall be made to any applicant until such applicant provides to the county treasurer the annual royalty payment. If such annual royalty payment is not made to the county treasurer, the applicant shall be required to comply with the provisions of K.S.A. 8-143, and amendments thereto, and return the license plate to the county treasurer of such person’s residence.
(h) Pheasants forever, inc., with the approval of the director of vehicles, shall design the plates to be issued under the provisions of this section.
(i) As a condition of receiving the pheasants forever license inc., authorized license plate and any subsequent registration renewal of such license plate, the applicant shall consent to the division authorizing the division’s release of motor vehicle record information, including the applicant’s name, address, royalty payment amount, plate number and vehicle type to pheasants forever, inc., and the state treasurer.
(j) The collection and remittance of annual royalty payments by the county treasurer shall be subject to the provisions of K.S.A. 8-1,141(h), and amendments thereto.
New Sec. 2. (a) On and after January 1, 2027, any owner or lessee of one or more passenger vehicles or trucks registered for a gross weight of 20,000 pounds or less who is a resident of Kansas, upon compliance with the provisions of this section, may be issued one delta waterfowl license plate for each such passenger vehicle or truck. Such license plate shall be issued for the same time as other license plates upon proper registration and payment of the regular license fee as provided in K.S.A. 8-143, and amendments thereto, and the payment to the county treasurer of the logo use royalty payment.
(b) The board of directors of delta waterfowl may authorize the use of the organization’s logo to be affixed on license plates as provided by this section. Any motor vehicle owner or lessee shall pay an amount of not less than $25 nor more than $100, as determined by the board of directors of delta waterfowl, as a logo use royalty payment for each such license plate to be issued. The logo use royalty payment shall be paid to the county treasurer.
(c) Any applicant for a license plate authorized by this section may make application for such license plate not less than 60 days prior to such person’s renewal of registration date, on a form prescribed and furnished by the director of vehicles, and any applicant for such license plate shall pay to the county treasurer the logo use royalty payment. Application for registration of a passenger vehicle or truck and issuance of the license plate under this section shall be made by the owner or lessee in a manner prescribed by the director of vehicles upon forms furnished by the director.
(d) No registration or license plate issued under this section shall be transferable to any other person.
(e) The director of vehicles may transfer a delta waterfowl license plate from a leased vehicle to a purchased vehicle.
(f) Renewals of registration under this section shall be made annually, upon payment of the fee prescribed in K.S.A. 8-143, and amendments thereto, and in the manner prescribed in K.S.A. 8-132(b), and amendments thereto. No renewal of registration shall be made to any applicant until such applicant provides to the county treasurer the annual royalty payment. If such annual royalty payment is not made to the county treasurer, the applicant shall be required to comply with the provisions of K.S.A. 8-143, and amendments thereto, and return the license plate to the county treasurer of such person’s residence.
(g) The board of directors of delta waterfowl, with the approval of the director of vehicles, shall design a plate to be issued under the provisions of this section.
(h) As a condition of receiving the delta waterfowl license plate and any subsequent registration renewal of such license plate, the applicant shall consent to the division authorizing the division’s release of motor vehicle record information, including the applicant’s name, address, royalty payment amount, plate number and vehicle type to the board of directors of delta waterfowl and the state treasurer.
(j) The collection and remittance of annual royalty payments by the county treasurer shall be subject to the provisions of K.S.A. 8-1,141(h), and amendments thereto, except that payments from the delta waterfowl license plate royalty fund shall be made on a monthly basis to the delta waterfowl foundation.
Sec. 3. K.S.A. 8-133 is hereby amended to read as follows: 8-133. (a) The license plate assigned to the vehicle shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle and shall be displayed during the current registration year or years. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), a Kansas registered vehicle shall not have a license plate attached to the front of the vehicle.
(b) The following classes of vehicles shall attach a license plate in the location or locations specifically stated:
(1) The license plate issued for a truck tractor shall be attached to the front of the truck tractor;
(2) a model year license plate issued for an antique vehicle, in accordance with K.S.A. 8-172, and amendments thereto, may be attached to the front of the antique vehicle;
(3) a personalized license plate issued to a passenger vehicle or truck pursuant to K.S.A. 8-132(c), and amendments thereto, may be attached to the front of the passenger vehicle or truck;
(4) the license plate issued for a motor vehicle used as a concrete mixer truck may be attached to either the front or rear of the vehicle; and
(5) the license plate issued for a motor vehicle used as a dump truck with a gross weight of 26,000 pounds or more shall be attached to the front of the vehicle. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to such vehicle if such vehicle is registered as a farm truck.
(c) Every license plate shall at all times be securely fastened to the vehicle to which it is assigned, to prevent the plate from swinging, and at a height not less than 12 inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of such plate. The license plate shall be fastened in a place and position to be clearly visible, and shall be maintained free from foreign materials and in a condition to be clearly legible.
(d) During any period in which the construction of license plates has been suspended pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 8-132, and amendments thereto, the plate, tag, token, marker or sign assigned to such vehicle shall be attached to and displayed on such vehicle in such place, position, manner and condition as shall be prescribed by the director of vehicles.
(e) A law enforcement officer shall issue a warning citation to anyone violating the provisions of subsection (b)(5). The provisions of this subsection shall expire and have no effect on and after January 1, 2022.
Sec. 4. K.S.A. 8-2,128 is hereby amended to read as follows: 8-2,128. As used in this act:
(a) “Alcohol” means any substance containing any form of alcohol, including, but not limited to, ethanol, methanol, propanol and isopropanol;
(b) “alcohol concentration” means:
(1) The number of grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood; or
(2) the number of grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath;
(c) “commercial driver’s license” means a commercial license issued pursuant to K.S.A. 8-234b, and amendments thereto;
(d) “commercial driver license system” means the information system established pursuant to the commercial motor vehicle safety act of 1986 to serve as a clearinghouse for locating information related to the licensing and identification of commercial motor vehicle drivers;
(e) “instruction permit” means a permit issued pursuant to K.S.A. 8-294, and amendments thereto;
(f) “commercial motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle designed or used to transport passengers or property, if:
(1) The vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds or such lesser rating, as determined by rules and regulations adopted by the secretary, but shall not be more restrictive than the federal regulation;
(2) the vehicle is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or
(3) the vehicle is transporting hazardous materials and is required to be placarded in accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 172, subpart F;
(g) “controlled substance” means any substance so classified under K.S.A. 21-5701, and amendments thereto;
(h) “conviction” means an unvacated adjudication of guilt or a determination that a person has violated or failed to comply with the law and in a court of original jurisdiction or an administrative proceeding, an unvacated forfeiture of bail or collateral deposited to secure the person’s appearance in court, a plea of guilty or nolo contendere accepted by the court, the payment of a fine or court cost, or violation of a condition of release without bail, regardless of whether the penalty is rebated, suspended or probated;
(i) “disqualification” means any of the following:
(1) The suspension, revocation, or cancellation of a commercial driver’s license by the state or jurisdiction of issuance;
(2) any withdrawal of a person’s privileges to drive a commercial motor vehicle by a state or other jurisdiction as the result of a violation of state or local law relating to motor vehicle traffic control, other than parking, vehicle weight or vehicle defect violations;
(3) a determination by the federal motor carrier safety administration that a person is not qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle under 49 C.F.R. § 391;
(j) “drive” means to drive, operate or be in physical control of a motor vehicle in any place open to the general public for purposes of vehicular traffic. For purposes of K.S.A. 8-2,137, 8-2,138, 8-2,142, 8-2,144 and 8-2,145, and amendments thereto, “drive” includes operation or physical control of a motor vehicle anywhere in the state;
(k) “driver” means any person who drives, operates or is in physical control of a commercial motor vehicle, in any place open to the general public for purposes of vehicular traffic, or who is required to hold a commercial driver’s license;
(l) “driver’s license” means any driver’s license or any other license or permit to operate a motor vehicle issued under, or granted by, the laws of this state, including:
(1) Any temporary license or instruction;
(2) the privilege of any person to drive a motor vehicle whether or not such person holds a valid license; or
(3) any nonresident’s operating privilege;
(m) “employer” means any person, including the United States, a state or a political subdivision of a state, who owns or leases a commercial motor vehicle or assigns a person to drive a commercial motor vehicle;
(n) “endorsement” means an authorization to an individual’s commercial driver’s license required to permit the individual to operate certain types of commercial motor vehicles;
(o) “felony” means any offense under state or federal law that is punishable by death or imprisonment for a term exceeding one year;
(p) “gross vehicle weight rating” means the value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum loaded weight of a single or a combination (articulated) vehicle. The gross vehicle weight rating of a combination (articulated) vehicle (commonly referred to as the “gross combination weight rating”) is the gross vehicle weight rating of the power unit plus the gross vehicle weight rating of the towed unit or units;
(q) “hazardous materials” means any material that has been designated as hazardous under 49 U.S.C. § 5103 and is required to be placarded under subpart F of 49 C.F.R. part 172 or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 C.F.R. part 73;
(r) “motor vehicle” means every vehicle which that is self-propelled, and every vehicle which that is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires but not operated upon rails, except vehicles moved solely by human power and motorized wheel chairs;
(s) “out-of-service order” means a temporary prohibition against driving a commercial motor vehicle, which that is imposed when a driver has any measured or detected alcohol concentration while on duty, or operating, or in physical control of a commercial motor vehicle or a declaration by an authorized enforcement officer of a federal, state, Canadian, Mexican or local jurisdiction that a driver, a commercial motor vehicle or a motor carrier operation, is out-of-service pursuant to 49 C.F.R. part 386.72, 392.5, 395.13, 396.9 or such compatible laws, or the North American out-of-service criteria;
(t) “residence” means the place which that is adopted by a person as the person’s place of habitation and to which where, whenever the person is absent, the person has the intention of returning. When a person eats at one place and sleeps at another, the place where the person sleeps shall be considered the person’s residence;
(u) “secretary” means the secretary of the Kansas department of revenue;
(v) “serious traffic violation” means:
(1) Excessive speeding, which is defined as 15 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit;
(2) reckless driving, as defined under K.S.A. 8-1566, and amendments thereto;
(3) a violation of any state or local law relating to motor vehicle traffic control, other than a parking violation, arising in connection with an accident or collision resulting in death to any person;
(4) changing lanes of traffic illegally or erratically, as defined under K.S.A. 8-1548, and amendments thereto;
(5) following another vehicle too closely, as defined under K.S.A. 8-1523, and amendments thereto;
(6) a violation of subsection (a) of K.S.A. 8-2,132, and amendments thereto; or
(7) any other violation of a state or local law relating to motor vehicle traffic control, other than a parking violation, which that the secretary determines by rule and regulation to be serious;
(w) “state” means a state of the United States and the District of Columbia;
(x) “state of domicile” means that state where a person has such person’s true, fixed and permanent home and principal residence and to which where such person has the intention of returning whenever such person is absent;
(y) “tank vehicle” means a tank vehicle, as defined in 49 C.F.R. § 383.5, as in effect on the date of this act or such later version as adopted by rules and regulations of the secretary pursuant to K.S.A. 8-2,140, and amendments thereto;
(z) “United States” means the 50 states and the District of Columbia;
(aa) “division” means the division of vehicles of the Kansas department of revenue;
(bb) “director” means the director of the division of vehicles of the Kansas department of revenue;
(cc) “foreign country” means any jurisdiction other than the United States;
(dd) “nonresident commercial driver’s license” means a license issued pursuant to K.S.A. 8-2,148, and amendments thereto;
(ee) “fatality” means the death of a person as a result of a motor vehicle accident;
(ff) “noncommercial motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles not defined by the term commercial motor vehicle in subsection (f); and
(gg) “school bus” means a commercial motor vehicle used to transport preprimary, primary or secondary school students from home to school, from school to home or to and from school-sponsored events. “School bus” does not include a bus used as a common carrier.
Sec. 5. K.S.A. 8-15,110 is hereby amended to read as follows: 8-15,110. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to attach and or display on any vehicle, or to operate a vehicle with, a license plate, as required under article 1 of chapter 8 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto:
(1) Which is covered, in whole or in part, with any clear or opaque material or any other plastic-like material that affects the plate’s visibility or reflectivity; or
(2) with any frame or other object on or around the plate affecting the visibility or legibility as required in subsection (b).
(b) Every license plate shall at all times be securely fastened to the vehicle to which it is assigned, to prevent the plate from swinging, and at a height not less than 12 inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of such plate. The license plate shall be fastened in a place and position to be clearly visible, and shall be maintained free from foreign materials and in a condition to be clearly legible.
(c) As used in this section, “clearly legible,” “clearly visible,” “legibility” or “visibility” means the ability to determine the alphanumeric registration number assigned, the state of issue, the month of expiration on the registration decal, the color of the registration decal and any other required decal from a reasonably safe distance. “Clearly legible,” “clearly visible,” “legibility” or “visibility” does not include the ability to determine the abbreviated state designation on the registration decal, the expiration year on the registration decal and plate number on the registration decal.
(d) A law enforcement officer shall issue a warning citation to anyone violating the provisions of subsection (a)(2). The provisions of this subsection shall expire and have no effect on and after January 1, 2027.
(e) This section shall be a part of and supplemental to the uniform act regulating traffic on highways.
Sec. 6. K.S.A. 8-133, 8-2,128 and 8-15,110 are hereby repealed.
Sec. 7. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its publication in the statute book.
Approved April 9, 2026.
