Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB488

Introduced
2/5/26  

Caption

Enacting the Kansas property tax freedom act of 2026, providing for the phased elimination of property taxation and for revenue replacement grants to taxing subdivisions, establishing the Kansas fair share purchase surcharge and providing such revenue to taxing subdivisions, the state general fund and the new property tax freedom reserve fund and providing for freedom dividend rebates.

Impact

The enactment of SB488 would have significant implications for both state and local government financing. Local governments, which heavily rely on property tax revenue for essential services like education, public safety, and infrastructure maintenance, could face considerable budget shortfalls. The proposed grants and surcharge intend to mitigate this impact, but concerns have been raised regarding the adequacy and sustainability of these replacements over time. Critics worry that the elimination of property taxes could lead to unequitable funding for local services, particularly affecting lower-income communities that depend more on property tax revenue.

Summary

SB488, titled the Kansas Property Tax Freedom Act of 2026, aims to progressively eliminate property taxation in Kansas. The bill proposes a phased approach to completely eradicate property taxes, replacing the lost revenue through various mechanisms, including revenue replacement grants to local taxing subdivisions. Additionally, it introduces the Kansas Fair Share Purchase Surcharge, which will also contribute to the funding of local taxing entities, the state general fund, and a new property tax freedom reserve fund. This initiative represents a substantial shift in the state's taxation landscape, highlighting a commitment toward tax relief for property owners.

Contention

Reactions to SB488 are polarized, with supporters championing it as a necessary reform aimed at easing the financial burden on property owners and encouraging economic development. Conversely, opponents argue that the bill could destabilize local economies by stripping vital revenue streams. They express concern that the removal of property taxes will not only lead to reduced funding for schools and community services but also create a system that disproportionately favors wealthier communities capable of subsidizing their services through alternative means. The dialogue around SB488 continues to evolve as stakeholders weigh the potential benefits against the risks associated with such a radical tax reform.

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 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 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 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 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 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 HB2002

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

KS SB6

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

KS SR1701

Providing for the organization of the Senate for the 2024 special session of the Legislature.

KS SB8

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

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