Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB486

Introduced
2/8/24  
Refer
2/9/24  

Caption

Changing the fee charged by the department of commerce for applications for certain economic development programs from a flat fee to a certain percentage of the total economic development incentive program package as determined by the secretary of commerce within a specified percentage range.

Impact

The enactment of SB486 could lead to significant shifts in how economic development programs are funded and administered. The move from a flat fee to a percentage-based structure could lead to increased revenue for the department based on the scale of the projects being pursued. It may also encourage more businesses to apply for incentives, as the costs would directly correlate to the size of their requests, potentially making the program more accessible to varying sizes of businesses and projects.

Summary

SB486 aims to modify the fee structure charged by the department of commerce for applications related to certain economic development programs. Instead of a flat fee, the bill proposes that the fee be adjusted to a certain percentage of the total economic development incentive package. This percentage would be determined by the Secretary of Commerce and set within a specified range. The intention behind this change is to align cost with the scale of the economic development initiatives being applied for, potentially making it more proportional and equitable in nature.

Contention

Debate surrounding SB486 may arise over concerns relating to transparency and fairness in how the new fee structure is implemented. Some stakeholders might argue that varying fees based on project scope could disproportionately affect smaller businesses that are seeking funding. Critics of the bill may express fears that the new structure could lead to unpredictability in budgeting for applicants, as fees may fluctuate with larger incentive packages. There may also be discussions about the potential for the Secretary of Commerce to have too much discretion in setting the percentage fees, raising questions about accountability and oversight.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS HB2304

Requiring local governments to report certain local economic development incentive program information to the secretary of commerce, defining such programs, requiring the secretary of commerce to post such information on the economic development incentive program database maintained by the secretary and requiring certain search result presentation and report formats.

KS HB2346

Substitute for HB 2346 by Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development - Establishing the Kansas sports tourism grant program administered by the secretary of commerce to provide matching grants to communities for developing and continuing sporting events and providing for funding of such grants from the state economic development initiatives fund.

KS SB2001

Economic development; provide incentives for certain economic development projects.

KS HB1

Economic development; provide incentives for certain economic development projects.

KS HB1861

Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive Act; revise method of determining tax incentive for certain qualified economic development projects.

KS SB9

House Substitute for SB 9 by Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development - Prohibiting foreign principals from acquiring interests in real estate in proximity to military installations, state agencies and local government from purchasing drones or critical components of drones from foreign principals or that are manufactured in countries of concern and foreign principals from receiving benefits from economic development programs.

KS HB4476

Economic development; findings; establishing program within the Oklahoma Film and Music Office; tracks; program funds; state contribution percentages; collaboration with the Department of Career and Technology Education; creating the Community Music Infrastructure and Events Development Revolving Fund; effective date.

KS HB1493

Economic development incentives; procedures for certain acts, economic development authorities.

KS HB2038

Enacting the Kansas film and digital media industry production development act, providing a tax credit and sales tax exemption to incentivize film, video and digital media production in Kansas, establishing a program to be administered by the secretary of commerce for the purpose of developing such production in Kansas and requiring the secretary of commerce to issue reports to the legislature regarding the program.

KS SB52

Enacting the Kansas film and digital media industry production development act, providing a tax credit and sales tax exemption to incentivize film, video and digital media production in Kansas, establishing a program to be administered by the secretary of commerce for the purpose of developing such production in Kansas and requiring the secretary of commerce to issue reports to the legislature regarding the program.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.