KC Tech Council Policy Update

As we move through the 2026 legislative sessions in Kansas and Missouri, the KC Tech Council continues to monitor and engage on legislation with implications for our region’s tech ecosystem. Below is a summary of key issues and actions at the state and federal levels. Please reach out to Christine Murray at christine@kctechcouncil.com if you have issues you’d like us to be aware of. 

Federal 

Join us for the DC Fly-In – April 14-15

KC Tech Council is heading to Washington, DC on April 14-15 for the annual DC Fly-In in conjunction with TECNA, and we want you to come with us. This is one of the best opportunities of the year to sit down directly with members of Congress and federal stakeholders on issues that matter to our tech community – AI policy, H1-B visa issues, workforce, R&D incentives, and more. We encourage members to bring company leaders along for the trip.

Register here or contact Christine at christine@kctechcouncil.com to get more details.

Kansas 

The Kansas Legislature convened in January and is now past turnaround, the critical deadline by which bills must clear their chamber of origin or they’re essentially done for the year. The pace is fast and the window to act is short. Because this is an even-numbered year, the Kansas Constitution limits the session to 90 calendar days, meaning adjournment is expected in late March. Attention has shifted to floor debate, and the finish line is coming up quickly.

• Angel Investor Tax Credit – HB 2466 – Kansas’s Angel Investor Tax Credit program has been a key tool for connecting accredited investors with early-stage Kansas companies since 2004 but it’s set to expire at the end of this year without legislative action. HB 2466 would extend the sunset on the program from 2026 to 2031, keeping it alive for another five years. The bill passed out of the House Committee of the Whole on February 10 and appears to have momentum heading into the Senate. We’re watching it closely given its importance to Kansas’s startup ecosystem.
• Artificial Intelligence Legislative Task Force HB 2592– KC Tech Council is participating on the Kansas Legislative AI Task Force, an active group convened by Rep. Sean Willcott that brings together legislators, the executive branch, the attorney general’s office, higher education, and private sector representatives. The task force is working across three areas: AI regulation and guardrails, legislative use of AI, and budget and funding considerations. We’ll keep members posted on how this work develops.
• Other Bills We’re Watching – We’re monitoring a number of other bills this session with implications for the tech sector – across areas like cybersecurity, tech regulations, school technology use, and utility infrastructure. We’ll flag anything that needs member attention as the session moves forward. As always, if you’re tracking something specific on the Kansas side, we’d love to hear from you.

Missouri 

The Missouri General Assembly kicked off its 2026 session in January and runs through mid-May. Governor Kehoe’s headline priority is phasing out Missouri’s individual income tax, which is generating a lot of conversation and will shape budget discussions throughout the session. Today, February 27, is also the last day to file Senate bills for this session, so the legislative landscape is coming into focus.

• Missouri Angel Investment Incentive Act – HB 1845 – Rep. Sherri Gallick (R) has introduced HB 1845, which would create a new angel investment tax credit starting in 2027 – 40% of an investment in a qualified Missouri business (50% for rural). Individual investors would be capped at $75,000 per company and $300,000 total per year, with MTC administering the program under a $6 million annual cap. It’s a solid bill for early-stage companies and investors in our region and one we’re watching closely.
• Missouri Technology Corporation – New Leadership – Big news out of Jefferson City: Missouri State Senator Travis Fitzwater has been named the new Executive Director of the Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC). Fitzwater served nearly 12 years in the legislature and is stepping away from his Senate seat to take on this role. He brings a real entrepreneurial background and strong relationships across the state’s innovation community. We’re looking forward to working with him. Funding for MTC continues to be a priority for the KC Tech Council. 
• Innovation & Entrepreneurship Day at the Capitol – March 3 – The KC Tech Council team heads to Jefferson City this Tuesday, March 3, for NEXT Missouri’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship Day at the Capitol. It’s a great day to connect with legislators and make the case for tech-based economic development across Missouri. Have an issue you want us to raise? We’d love to carry your priorities into those conversations. Reach out to Christine at christine@kctechcouncil.com by Monday, March 2 and let us know what’s on your mind.

Local Focus: Data Center Policy – Data Center Alliance 

KC Tech Council has launched a Data Center Alliance Group to help coordinate industry engagement on the growing number of data center-related policies coming up at the local, state, and regional levels. If your organization has a stake in data center development, siting, energy, or related policy, we’d love to have you involved. Reach out to Erin Christensen Erin@kctechcouncil.com to learn more about the Alliance.