Legislative Update Wk #2 - January 24, 2025
- Reily Goyne
- Jan 24
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 5
By Reily Goyne, AIA Kansas Advocacy Manager
General Statehouse Update
The House Appropriations Committee has stated that it hopes to complete the budget by Feb. 13th. Time will tell if that deadline is met, and what it takes to get there.
The Legislature Makes the Rules
Every two years, both chambers approve the Joint Rules for the biennium, and each chamber approves its own rules after the election. This week, a fairly typical process was anything but in the House.
For the first time since 2013, the Midnight Rule was not included in the House’s rules. The Midnight Rules states that no debates can occur from midnight to 8 am, and came about after Rep. Bob Bethell died in a car crash in 2012 while driving home after a series of late-night sessions. In recent years, this rule has been repeatedly suspended, usually at the end of a session, to pass significant and controversial legislation into the early hours of the morning, including the tax package passed in 2024.
Property Tax Takes Over
The House and Senate Tax Committees are taking their charges to reduce property taxes seriously. Several proposals have been drafted, including a constitutional amendment to cap property tax increases, or removing property tax mill levies that fund K-12 education and state building construction (including university buildings).
The issue is finding the best plan to reduce Kansans’ property taxes without risking the state’s necessary services and financial stability.
Next Week's Committees
Wednesday, January 29
9:00 AM - House Local Government: HB 2025 Hearing
Thursday, January 30
9:30 AM - Senate Local Government, Transparency, and Ethics: SB 37 Hearing
If you want to testify on any of these bills and would like assistance, please contact Reily Goyne at reily@aiaks.org or 316-243-6256.
Bills to Watch
AIA Kansas monitors several bills throughout the session that could impact the design and construction industry.
SB 35 discontinues the state property tax levies for the Kansas educational building fund and the state institutions building fund finances it through the state general fund. It was passed by the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee on January 23, and now sits on General Orders in the Senate.
SB 37 repeals cities' zoning authority for the three miles outside their borders. It has a hearing scheduled in Senate Local Government, Transparency, and Ethics on Thursday, January 30 at 9:30 AM in room 142-S.
HB 2025 repeals cities' zoning authority for the three miles outside their borders. It has a hearing in House Local Government on Wednesday, January 29 at 9:00 AM in room 281-N.
HB 2066 requires businesses to register and use e-verify for employment. It has been referred to House Federal and State Affairs, and no hearing has been set yet.
HB 2088 requires local governments to meet deadlines for issuing building permits and other approvals for real estate development. It is referred to House Local Government, and no hearing has been set yet.
AIA Kansas GAC Member Presents to Committee
On Thursday, January 24, 2025, Chris Burger, member of the AIA Kansas Government Affairs Committee (GAC) and lawyer with Stevens and Brand, was invited to present about eminent domain in front of the House Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications. If you have 20 minutes and want to learn more about eminent domain, you can watch the recording on the Kansas Legislature’s YouTube page.
Government Affairs Committee
February 21 at 10 AM
If you are interested in joining this committee and staying on top of what is happening at the statehouse, please contact Reily Goyne.
About AIA Kansas
AIA Kansas is a state chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
The organization provides services and programs to meet the professional development needs and interests of Kansas architects and to develop public awareness for the value of architects and architecture.
Our 700-plus members are leaders in building healthy, sustainable communities that will serve our citizens into the future.
www.aiaks.org | 785-357-5308 | info@aiaks.org
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