Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB86

Introduced
1/28/25  
Refer
1/29/25  

Caption

Establishing the intercity passenger rail service program and making transfers annually to the passenger rail service revolving fund.

Impact

The passage of SB 86 would significantly reshape the landscape of state transportation law by formalizing the framework for state involvement in intercity passenger rail services. It would lead to the establishment of a dedicated funding source known as the passenger rail service revolving fund, which would receive an annual transfer of $5 million from designated state funds. This approach emphasizes the state's commitment to developing a cohesive passenger rail network that connects Kansas with neighboring states, supporting both regional and national rail systems.

Summary

Senate Bill 86 aims to establish an intercity passenger rail service program in Kansas, enabling the Secretary of Transportation to enter into agreements with Amtrak and other rail operators to enhance rail services. This bill permits the provision of loans and grants for the restoration and improvement of rail infrastructure, ultimately to promote connectivity with other states' rail systems. It's envisioned as a critical step toward advancing passenger rail services across the state, thereby potentially enhancing access to regions that may currently lack efficient public transportation options.

Contention

While the bill's supporters advocate for improved transportation options and economic growth through enhanced rail connectivity, there may be concerns regarding the allocation of state funds and the emphasis on rail service at the expense of other transportation priorities. Some stakeholders may argue about the viability and long-term sustainability of funding such programs amidst competing budgetary needs. Additionally, there may be debates about the extent to which the state should involve itself in the operational aspects of passenger rail, traditionally managed by private enterprises.

Notable_points

Key provisions within SB 86 include the authority granted to the Secretary of Transportation to enter into cost-sharing agreements and to facilitate the design and construction of rail stations that meet safety and operational standards. The bill also establishes a framework for ongoing evaluation and reporting on the effectiveness of the rail service program, as mandated by annual reports to the state legislature, ensuring legislative oversight of the implementation and impact of the proposed intercity rail service.

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 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 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 SB8

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

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 SR1702

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

KS SB3

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

Similar Bills

CA AB1706

California Interscholastic Federation: flag football pilot program.

CA AB1343

Local alternative transportation improvement program: Feather River crossing.

US SB878

Coast Guard Combat-Injured Tax Fairness Act

KS SB357

Establishing the intercity passenger rail service program and making transfers annually to the passenger rail service revolving fund.

CA SB1324

Passenger and freight rail: LOSSAN Rail Corridor: working group report.

KS SB57

Requiring certain state agencies, counties, cities and political subdivisions to reimburse the owner or operator of communications or video service facilities for the costs to modify or relocate such facilities for certain road and highway projects.

IL HB3630

TRANSIT-TO-TRAILS PROGRAM

US HB2167

Transportation Equity Act