Kansas House Bill HB2489

Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/8/24
• Refer: 1/8/24
• Refer: 1/16/24
• Refer: 2/16/24
• Refer: 2/19/24
• Failed: 4/30/24

Caption

Limiting the legislative option to purchase school district buildings to buildings that were formerly used as attendance centers.

Impact

The passage of HB 2489 is likely to streamline the legislative process for school property acquisitions. This bill amends existing laws, particularly K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 72-1439, and sets specific stipulations on how the state can respond to school districts' intentions to dispose of buildings. The requirement for legislative resolution will create a more formalized process whereby the state can monitor and manage school property more effectively, thereby influencing how educational resources are allocated and utilized across the state.

Summary

House Bill 2489 is a legislative measure focused on the acquisition of school district buildings by the state. The bill limits the state's ability to purchase school district properties exclusively to those that were formerly used as attendance centers, thereby laying a clear framework for how the state engages with school property disposals. As school districts adopt resolutions to dispose of such buildings, they are mandated to notify the legislature with a detailed report outlining the building's prior use and the rationale for its disposal, ensuring transparency in the process.

Contention

While supporters of HB 2489 argue that it clarifies and restricts property acquisition to ensure that the state only intervenes with buildings that have served educational purposes, critics may view it as an unnecessary limitation on both state flexibility and local control. There may be concerns about the implications this has for school districts, particularly smaller or rural areas that may find the process cumbersome or restrictive. Additionally, the timeline established for property acquisition—180 days, with potential extensions—might also be a point of contention for stakeholders needing more timely decisions regarding school property management.