SESSION OF 2023
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON HOUSE BILL NO. 2336
As Amended by Senate Committee on
Commerce
Brief*
HB 2336, as amended, would amend law pertaining to
the issuance of general obligation bonds by the board of
directors of airport authorities enacted under the Surplus
Property and Public Airport Authority Act.
The bill would increase the amount of general obligation
bonds that may be issued by such boards without approval
from $1.0 million to $10.0 million and require amounts in
excess of $10.0 million to be approved by the relevant board
of county commissioners, rather than by general election.
The bill would also permit a board of county
commissioners to approve the issuance of such bonds in an
amount in excess of 1.85 percent of the assessed valuation
of tangible personal property within the county.
The bill would further specify any issuance of bonds
subject to approval by a board of county commissioners could
be petitioned by qualified electors of the county to be
submitted to a general election in the manner provided for in
continuing law.
Background
The bill was introduced by the House Committee on
Transportation at the request of Senator Dietrich.
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*Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research
Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental
note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at
http://www.kslegislature.org House Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic
Development
In the House Committee hearing, proponent testimony
was provided by representatives of the Metropolitan Topeka
Airport Authority and the Board of County Commissioners of
Shawnee County. The proponents generally stated the bill
would allow for necessary improvements to be made at
Topeka’s two airports which are not suitable for modern
aircraft and lack the buildings and facilities necessary to
attract businesses. The bonding authority threshold has not
been modified since 1978.
Written-only proponent testimony was provided by
representatives of the City of Topeka and Greater Topeka
Chamber of Commerce.
No other testimony was provided.
Senate Committee on Commerce
In the Senate Committee hearing, proponent testimony
was provided by representatives of the Metropolitan Topeka
Airport Authority and Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce.
The proponents provided testimony similar to the testimony
provided at the House Committee hearing.
Written-only proponent testimony was provided by
representatives of the City of Topeka and the Board of County
Commissioners of Shawnee County.
No other testimony was provided.
The Senate Committee amended the bill to:
●Require increases in excess of $10.0 million to be
approved by a board of county commissioners;
2- 2336 ●Allow for issuance of bonds in amounts in excess
of 1.85 percent; and
●Provide that any issuance of bonds subject to
approval by a board of county commissioners
could be submitted to a general election.
Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
the Budget on the bill, as introduced, there would be no state
fiscal effect.
The Kansas Association of Counties indicates the bill
could have an indeterminate fiscal effect on counties with an
airport authority.
Airports; bonding authority
3- 2336