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Minutes for SB432 - Committee on Government Efficiency
Short Title
Updating certain provisions of the Kansas dental practices act relating to in-person practice requirements in a dental office owned by a licensee.
Minutes Content for Mon, Feb 9, 2026
Chair Erickson opened the hearing on SB 432.
Staff provided an overview of the bill. (Attachment 1)
Proponents:
Mike O'Neal provided oral proponent testimony on behalf of the Association of Dental Support Organizations. (Attachment 2) There remains on the books an outdated and facially unconstitutional barrier to the ability of dentists to expand access to general and specialty dental care in Kansas. This act eliminates the 20% rule, which effectively prevents a dentist owner from expanding dental care much beyond his or her home office.
Dr. Daniel Thomas, Periodontal Specialists, P.A. testified in support of the bill, citing the removal of the "20% Rule". (Attachment 3) The provision of skilled, honest and accountable dental care is the sole responsibility of the licensed dentist. The "20% Rule" does not and indeed cannot, guarantee the skill, integrity or knowledge of the provider, and therefore, its value as a regulation is questionable.
Samuel G. MacRoberts, Litigation Director, Kansas Justice Institute (KJI), provided oral testimony in support of the bill. (Attachment 4) The "20% Rule" is unreasonable, irrational, arbitrary, oppressive, protectionist, and not appropriately tailored to serve a legitimate public interest. The KJI respectfully urges this Committee to abandon the outdated and arbitrary "20% Rule," by adopting this bill.
Written only testimony in support of the bill:
William Wilk, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Kansas Chamber of Commerce (Attachment 5).
Opponents:
Kevin Robertson, Executive Director, Kansas Dental Association (KDA), provided opponent testimony. (Attachment 6) The 20% rule is a unique requirement for dentistry, but it exists for a reason - to ensure that dentist-owners are engaged and providing oversight to their employee-dentists and the patients they serve. The KDA believes this best protects the dentist-patient relationship.
Dr. Adam Lukens, President of the KDA, provided oral testimony in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 7) The repeal of the 20% rule in our Dental Practice Act is not good for Kansans. We don't need unchecked growth of corporate dental franchises in our state. We want to maintain our small businesses in order to do our part to support the Kansas economy.
Dr. Pete Ziegler, DDS, Ziegler Family Dentistry, testified in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 8) I firmly believe that if this bill is passed, many small businesses will be harmed. By opposing this bill, you are showing support to small businesses across the state. We know small businesses are the backbone of America. Local dental offices do not have the resources available to compete with private-equity backed national or regional advertising campaigns.
Chair Erickson closed the hearing on SB 432.
