Kansas negotiators propose sweeping 3% cap on local property tax increases
Conference committee strips rural hospital bill, replaces it with property tax language
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Legislative negotiators have proposed a sweeping cap on local property tax increases that would limit any taxing jurisdiction in Kansas to raising no more than 3% above the prior year's levy, with an exception for new construction.
The proposal emerged from a conference committee report on SB 82, which originally dealt with nursing facility waivers for rural emergency hospitals but was stripped and replaced with the property tax language — a common late-session legislative maneuver.
Under the proposal, any local governing body that wants to exceed the 3% cap would need approval from at least 80% of its members in a public roll-call vote. The results would be published on the state Department of Administration's website. The cap would apply to cities, counties, school districts and other taxing jurisdictions statewide.
Property tax relief remains one of the most politically potent issues at the Statehouse. Republican leaders have pushed aggressively for constraints on local taxing authority, while local government officials have warned that rigid caps could hamstring public services.
The conference report was submitted in the Senate on March 23, late in the legislative session. A separate measure, a proposed constitutional amendment to limit property tax valuation increases (SCR 1603), is also heading to a conference committee, signaling that property taxes will dominate the session's closing days.
Brought to you by
Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:
