Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2138

Introduced
1/28/25  

Caption

Authorizing school districts to levy an annual tax levy of up to two mills for the purposes of school building safety, security and compliance with the Americans with disabilities act and including such levy in the capital outlay state aid determination for such school districts.

Impact

The proposed tax levy is significant as it equips school districts with a dedicated revenue stream specifically earmarked for essential safety and accessibility projects in public schools. Supporters of the bill argue that this measure is crucial for improving school safety and ensuring that all schools meet federal standards under the ADA. However, the bill's reliance on local taxation could exacerbate disparities in funding between wealthier districts with a broader tax base and those in less affluent areas, creating challenges in ensuring equitable access to safe and compliant school facilities throughout the state.

Summary

House Bill 2138 authorizes school districts in Kansas to levy an annual tax of up to two mills on taxable tangible property. This tax is intended to fund school building expenses that ensure safety and security, as well as compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The bill aims to address urgent needs in school infrastructure, particularly concerning safety measures necessitated by recent national trends and ADA compliance. The revenue generated from this tax will also be included in the calculations for capital outlay state aid determinations provided to school districts, helping to stabilize funding and support necessary improvements.

Contention

Although the bill is largely viewed as a positive step towards ensuring student safety and compliance with federal regulations, some stakeholders have raised concerns regarding the tax implications for local taxpayers. The possibility of a petition opposing the tax levy, which could lead to a public vote, reflects the contentious nature of local taxation initiatives. Critics worry that the additional tax burden could pose financial strain on families and may not adequately address systemic funding issues in education.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SB1

Modifying income tax rates for individuals, exempting all social security benefits from Kansas income tax, increasing the Kansas standard deduction and the Kansas personal exemption, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, decreasing the privilege tax normal tax, excluding internal revenue code section 1031 exchange transactions as indicators of fair market value for property tax valuation purposes, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund and abolishing the local ad valorem tax reduction fund and the county and city revenue sharing fund.

KS SB2

Eliminating the income limit to qualify for the subtraction modification exempting social security benefits, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, citing the increased property tax homestead refund claim section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, decreasing the normal privilege tax rate, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, decreasing the rate of ad valorem tax imposed by a school district; providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund, reducing the state rate of tax on sales of food and food ingredients and modifying the percent credited to the state highway fund from revenue collected.

KS HB2003

Establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, modifying the definition of household income and increasing the appraised value threshold for eligibility of seniors and disabled veterans related to increased property tax claims and citing the section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, providing property tax exemptions for certain personal property including watercraft, marine equipment, off-road vehicles, motorized bicycles and certain trailers, excluding internal revenue code section 1031 exchange transactions as indicators of fair market value, providing for certain exclusions from the prohibition of paying taxes under protest after a valuation notice appeal and providing four prior years' values on the annual valuation notice.

KS HB2001

Authorizing the secretary of commerce to enter into agreements with major professional sports franchises to establish STAR bond projects for a major professional sports complex, providing for additional revenue sources, expanding the powers and discretion of the secretary and making other changes to the STAR bonds financing act to facilitate such projects, limiting the secretary’s authority to approve such projects to one year unless extended by the legislative coordinating council, authorizing the Kansas development finance authority to issue STAR bonds for such projects, transferring funds under certain circumstances from the state gaming revenues fund to the attracting professional sports to Kansas fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and, if approved by the legislative coordinating council, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

KS SB8

Exempting the sale of firearms, firearms accessories, ammunition, firearm safes and firearm safety devices from the retatilers' sales tax.

KS HB2004

Authorizing counties to propose an earnings tax for ballot question.

KS SB5

Authorizing counties to impose an earnings tax.

KS SB7

Authorizing federally licensed firearm dealers, in addition to county sheriffs, to receive applications for concealed carry licenses and forward such applications to the attorney general, prohibiting sheriffs from assessing any fee related to application services and allowing dealers to assess a fee related to application services not to exceed $20.

KS SB6

Providing a sales tax exemption for sales of electricity to residential premises by municipally owned or operated utilities.

KS SR1703

Recognizing November 14, 2024, as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.

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