Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2466

Introduced
1/15/26  
Refer
1/15/26  
Report Pass
2/5/26  
Engrossed
2/11/26  
Refer
2/12/26  
Report Pass
3/16/26  
Enrolled
4/9/26  

Caption

Enacting the Kansas sports authority act, authorizing STAR bond projects in major amusement park areas and extending the expiration date of the STAR bonds financing act.

Impact

The bill allows cities and counties to issue special obligation bonds to finance STAR bond projects, which will be vital in promoting local tourism and economic activity. It asserts that funds generated will not be state debts but will depend solely on the specific project revenues. Local governments will have the discretion to utilize various revenue streams, including local sales taxes, to support these initiatives. Importantly, it specifies that state funds cannot be pledged for repayment of these bonds, emphasizing fiscal prudence while promoting local economies.

Summary

House Bill 2466, known as the Kansas Sports Authority Act, establishes a sports authority aimed at facilitating the construction, financing, and management of sports facilities within the state. The legislation primarily targets enhancing professional sports infrastructure while also catering to various civic and commercial activities. By enhancing these facilities, the act seeks to create venues that can host professional sporting events and supplementary community activities, thereby supporting economic development across Kansas.

Sentiment

General sentiment about the bill seems supportive among stakeholders expecting economic benefits through improved sports facilities and infrastructure. Proponents argue that such developments can attract tourists, create jobs, and significantly enhance local economies. Conversely, there is concern regarding the reliance on public funding for what some perceive as private ventures, with opponents urging for more accountability and transparency concerning how funds will be spent and the potential impact on local businesses.

Contention

Notably, there are provisions within the bill that restrict the use of eminent domain, stipulating that no city or county may use it to acquire real property for a STAR bond project. Additionally, the bill includes significant administrative oversight, requiring detailed reporting on fiscal activities associated with the STAR bonds and the impact on local sales tax revenues. The tension between immediate economic growth prospects and long-term fiscal responsibility creates a point of contention worth monitoring as the bill progresses.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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 HB2002

Expanding medical assistance eligibility and enacting the cutting healthcare costs for all Kansans act.

KS HB2004

Authorizing counties to propose an earnings tax for ballot question.

KS SB5

Authorizing counties to impose an earnings tax.

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 SCR1602

Approving the creation of a port authority in Wyandotte County Kansas.

KS SCR1604

Proposing to amend section 1 of article 11 of the constitution of the state of Kansas to limit property tax valuation increases for real property and personal property mobile homes.

KS SCR1603

Proposing to amend section 1 of article 11 of the constitution of the state of Kansas to limit property tax valuation increases for residential property.

KS SR1702

A resolution honoring the life, career and trailblazing achievements of Kansas icon Ed Dwight.

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