KLA staff had a busy week testifying and monitoring key bills as the Legislature continues with a number of bill hearings.
Foreign ownership of land - KLA testified neutral in the House Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development on HB 2290, which would prohibit any country of concern from acquiring any interest in real property in the state of Kansas within 100 miles of a military installation or utilizing any economic development program, unless such interest is de minimis. KLA’s concern with the bill in its current form is its impact on existing meat processing facilities if they require an expansion due to a regulatory action. KLA proposed an amendment that creates an exception for companies that already have undergone review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and were determined not to be a threat. It was not adopted in committee; however, KLA will continue to work with legislators on an appropriate fix. The bill was placed into a Senate shell, SB 9, passed out of committee and approved by the House Committee of the Whole.
Labor and immigration - KLA joined the Kansas Business Coalition for Immigration Reform in opposing SB 196 in the Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs. The bill would require use of the E-Verify program for all business entities and employ strict penalties harmful to the business community. The federal government has not recommended or required E-Verify and considers Form I-9 a legal and legitimate process for employment verification. KLA’s policy is clear that the state should not adopt immigration rules different or more stringent than those of the federal government.
Poultry fees - SB 89, which would enable KDA to charge fees for services being provided to the poultry industry, such as poultry disease prevention plans and diagnostic testing, had a hearing in the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources. KLA testified in support of the bill because these poultry services currently are funded through the animal disease control fund, with fees assessed on cattle and other livestock.
Water - KLA testified in support of SB 58 in the House Committee on Water. SB 58 would modify the current multi-year flex account statute to discontinue the use of historical water use to determine the base allocation and move to a formula that uses net irrigation requirements. The water committee passed the bill favorably out of committee.
Energy - KLA provided neutral joint testimony with Kansas Farm Bureau for HB 2107 in the Senate Committee on Utilities. HB 2107 codifies current law in statute regarding liability for damage caused by wildfires due to the fault of a public utility. KLA initially opposed the bill due to concerns it would limit the recovery of landowners when their property is damaged or destroyed by a fire. KLA was able to work with the electric utilities that drafted the legislation on an amendment in the House that struck problematic language regarding how economic damages would be calculated.
KLA-supported SB 92 passed the full House of Representatives 120-2. This bill would extend the timeline from 120 days to 180 days in which the Kansas Corporation Commission can make a final order on a transmission line siting application. Extending the timeline could allow additional opportunities for public and landowner input and promote clarity in the process.
Property tax - KLA staff provided written proponent testimony for SB 280 in the Senate Committee on Assessment and Taxation. SB 280 would require an election to approve local taxing authority budgets in excess of the rate of inflation, with an exception for revenues attributable to new construction. KLA policy supports increased reliance on other non-property tax sources to fund government. Placing limits on increases in local budget authority is one way to address the issue of rising property tax liability.
KLA staff will continue to monitor bills of interest to KLA members and provide input to legislators. Members can stay up to date on what’s happening during the session by following @newsfromKLA on X and Facebook and the hashtag #KLAattheCapitol.