Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB280

Filed/Introduced
8/8/26  
Introduced
2/26/25  

Caption

Requiring the approval by a majority of electors voting at an election in order for the governing body of any taxing entity to increase its total amount of property tax to be levied by more than the annual rate of inflation.

Impact

If enacted, SB280 will significantly influence state laws regarding property taxation, particularly by decentralizing authority and empowerment of local electorates. It will require taxing entities to hold elections to gain voter approval for tax increases exceeding the inflation rate, effective from January 1, 2026. This could lead to challenges for local governments in financing ongoing and future services, as obtaining voter consent might hinge on various local political dynamics. The legislation also excludes tax revenue increases arising from new construction and improvements, potentially allowing local governments to maintain some level of revenue growth without displacing the need for voter approval.

Summary

Senate Bill 280 introduces a new requirement for taxing entities in Kansas, stipulating that any increase in the total amount of property tax levied must receive the approval of a majority of qualified electors. This legislative measure aims to ensure that any rise in property tax beyond the annual rate of inflation, calculated based on the consumer price index, is subjected to direct voter consent. This approach is positioned as a means of enhancing democratic oversight of tax increases and fostering fiscal responsibility among local governing bodies.

Contention

The bill has raised discussions regarding its potential impacts on local governance and service delivery. Proponents argue that it will enhance accountability and ensure that taxpayers have a direct voice regarding taxation, aligning with principles of grassroots democracy. However, critics contend that it may impede local governments' ability to respond to fiscal needs promptly, potentially leading to budget shortfalls for essential services. Another notable area of contention is the efficiency and practicality of holding annual elections for tax approvals, which opponents argue may burden the electoral process and lead to voter fatigue.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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 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 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 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 SB4

Requiring all advance voting ballots be returned by 7:00 p.m. on election day.

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 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 HB2004

Authorizing counties to propose an earnings tax for ballot question.

KS SB5

Authorizing counties to impose an earnings tax.

KS SB6

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

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.