Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB12

Introduced
1/16/25  

Caption

Requiring each member of a municipal governing body whose district territory includes land being acquired to approve the exercise of eminent domain for such acquisition when such land is to be used for a recreational project.

Impact

SB12 will substantially alter the existing process for eminent domain in the state, emphasizing local governance and community involvement in the approval of land acquisitions for public purposes. By requiring the approval of every commissioner representing the affected district, the bill aims to protect the interests of local constituents and enhance the transparency of governmental actions pertaining to land use. This could lead to more robust discussions and considerations before any condemnation process is initiated, thus potentially limiting the number of properties targeted for eminent domain.

Overall

In summary, SB12 is a significant legislative proposal that aims to reshape the exercise of eminent domain, reinforcing community involvement in land acquisition decisions for public projects. If enacted, SB12 could lead to a more collaborative approach to local governance in Kansas, while also ensuring that the interests of various stakeholders are considered during the eminent domain process.

Summary

Senate Bill 12 (SB12) introduced by Senator Shallenburger focuses on the governance surrounding the exercise of eminent domain by municipalities specifically for recreational projects. The bill mandates that before a county can approve the exercise of eminent domain, a vote must be conducted where each commissioner whose district includes the land targeted for acquisition must vote in the affirmative. This approach aims to ensure that local representatives have a direct say in decisions that will affect their districts, particularly when the land in question is intended for public recreational use such as nature areas, entertainment venues, and libraries.

Contention

While this law seeks to foster local control, it may raise questions regarding efficiency and the timely execution of recreational projects. Proponents argue that this bill is a necessary safeguard against arbitrary government actions that can displace community members. However, critics may contend that the additional layer of required approvals could delay important projects, hinder municipal planning, and complicate the process for necessary land acquisitions aiming to benefit the community as a whole. As such, the debate surrounding SB12 reflects a broader tension between local governance and streamlined governmental processes.

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 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 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 HB2004

Authorizing counties to propose an earnings tax for ballot question.

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 SB5

Authorizing counties to impose an earnings tax.

KS SB3

Clarifying the procedures and restrictions on accepting a nomination for an elected office.

KS SCR1602

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

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.