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HB 2332

Establishing a seal for the house of representatives and a seal for the senate and providing for the custody and use of each.

2025-2026 Regular Session

HB 2332 establishes the official Kansas House seal, kept by the Speaker, allows member use on official materials, must not imply House position, bans campaign use.

Approved by Governor on Friday, March 20, 2026
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Bill Summary · HB 2332

Summary — HB 2332 (2025): Establishing a Seal for the Kansas House of Representatives

Main purpose

HB 2332 formally establishes, describes, and sets rules for custody and permissible uses of the official seal of the Kansas House of Representatives. The bill codifies the seal currently affixed to the front of the podium in the House chamber.

Key provisions

  • Official seal established: The seal affixed to the front of the House podium on the law’s effective date is declared the official seal of the House.
  • Detailed description: The statute describes the seal’s imagery and elements, including:
    • A rising sun in the right-hand (east) corner;
    • Commerce represented by a river and steamboat to the left of the sun;
    • Agriculture in the foreground shown by a settler’s cabin and a man plowing with a pair of horses;
    • A train of ox-wagons heading west beyond the agricultural scene;
    • A retreating herd of buffalo pursued by two Indigenous riders in the background;
    • The motto “Ad astra per aspera” around the top with a cluster of 34 stars beneath it; and
    • The outer circle bearing the words “Kansas House of Representatives.”
  • Custody and official uses: The seal must be kept in the office of the Speaker of the House and is to be used to attest official House documents. The Speaker may approve other uses.
  • Member uses: Any House member may use the seal on official stationery, newsletters, other official communications, or for personal uses — provided such use does not convey an official position of the House.
  • Campaign prohibition: Use of the seal for campaign purposes is explicitly prohibited.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Office of the Speaker (custody/responsibility) and all members of the Kansas House of Representatives (authorized/limited use).
  • Administrative: Legislative Administrative Services reviewed the bill; the Division of the Budget’s fiscal note concluded any fiscal effect would be negligible.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Introduced: February 2025 (requested by Rep. Estes).
  • Amended in committee to add member-use permissions and the campaign-use prohibition.
  • Committee Report recommended passage as amended.
  • Passed both chambers and was signed by the Governor on May 13, 2025.
  • Effective: The act takes effect and is in force from and after its publication in the statute book.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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