Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HCR5035

Introduced
3/9/26  

Caption

Proposing to amend section 1 of article 11 of the constitution of the state of Kansas to provide a property tax exemption from all school district levies for residential property that is owned by and the principal place of residence of a person who is 60 years of age or older.

Impact

Upon approval, HCR5035 would exempt eligible seniors from school district property taxes, which could have a significant impact on the overall taxation framework within Kansas. This amendment would require adjustments in current property tax assessments and potentially reduce revenue for school districts, which have traditionally relied on property taxes as a primary funding source. This shift could necessitate increased funding from other sources to compensate for the revenue lost due to the tax exemption.

Summary

HCR5035, also known as the Save Our Seniors Amendment, proposes an amendment to section 1 of article 11 of the Kansas constitution. This amendment seeks to provide a property tax exemption from all school district levies specifically for residential properties that are owned by individuals aged 60 years and older, thus identifying the principal place of residence for such individuals. This bill aims to alleviate the financial burden of property taxes on senior citizens, thereby making home ownership more affordable for this demographic.

Rationale

Supporters claim that the bill represents a necessary step towards acknowledging and addressing the unique challenges that elderly homeowners face, including fixed incomes and rising living costs. The advocacy for HCR5035 reflects a broader trend of legislative efforts aimed at protecting the financial interests of vulnerable populations, ensuring seniors can remain in their homes without the strain of excessive property taxation.

Contention

Notably, discussions surrounding HCR5035 have surfaced concerns regarding the implications of reducing revenue for school districts. Opponents of the bill argue that while the initiative seeks to help seniors, it could adversely affect the funding of public education. Critics stress the importance of finding balanced solutions that do not jeopardize the financial stability of educational institutions. The bill's proponents counter that supporting seniors should take precedence and advocate for additional funding mechanisms to maintain educational budgets.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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 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 SB6

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

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 SB8

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

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 SCR1602

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

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