Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB486

Introduced
2/8/24  
Refer
2/9/24  

Caption

Changing the fee charged by the department of commerce for applications for certain economic development programs from a flat fee to a certain percentage of the total economic development incentive program package as determined by the secretary of commerce within a specified percentage range.

Impact

The enactment of SB486 could lead to significant shifts in how economic development programs are funded and administered. The move from a flat fee to a percentage-based structure could lead to increased revenue for the department based on the scale of the projects being pursued. It may also encourage more businesses to apply for incentives, as the costs would directly correlate to the size of their requests, potentially making the program more accessible to varying sizes of businesses and projects.

Summary

SB486 aims to modify the fee structure charged by the department of commerce for applications related to certain economic development programs. Instead of a flat fee, the bill proposes that the fee be adjusted to a certain percentage of the total economic development incentive package. This percentage would be determined by the Secretary of Commerce and set within a specified range. The intention behind this change is to align cost with the scale of the economic development initiatives being applied for, potentially making it more proportional and equitable in nature.

Contention

Debate surrounding SB486 may arise over concerns relating to transparency and fairness in how the new fee structure is implemented. Some stakeholders might argue that varying fees based on project scope could disproportionately affect smaller businesses that are seeking funding. Critics of the bill may express fears that the new structure could lead to unpredictability in budgeting for applicants, as fees may fluctuate with larger incentive packages. There may also be discussions about the potential for the Secretary of Commerce to have too much discretion in setting the percentage fees, raising questions about accountability and oversight.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS HB2775

Changing the fee charged by the department of commerce for applications for certain economic development programs from a flat fee to a certain percentage of the total economic development incentive program package as determined by the secretary of commerce within a specified percentage range.

KS HB2304

Requiring local governments to report certain local economic development incentive program information to the secretary of commerce, defining such programs, requiring the secretary of commerce to post such information on the economic development incentive program database maintained by the secretary and requiring certain search result presentation and report formats.

KS HB2788

Requiring cities and counties to report local economic development incentive program information to the secretary of commerce and providing that such information be posted on the department of commerce economic development incentive program database, requiring certain changes to that database regarding the presentation of search results, providing for a summary report by the secretary of commerce on certain economic development incentive program data and requiring the secretary of administration to include on the Kansas taxpayer transparency act website certain information concerning grants.

KS HB2414

Substitute for HB 2414 by Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development - Developing postsecondary engineering programs, providing scholarships for engineering students at certain public and private institutions of higher education by establishing a matching grant program to be administered by the secretary of commerce and creating the engineering graduate incentive fund.

KS SB91

Enacting the Kansas film and digital media industry production development act, providing a tax credit, sales tax exemption and loans and grants to incentivize film, video and digital media production in Kansas, establishing a program to be administered by the secretary of commerce for the purpose of developing such production in Kansas and requiring the secretary of commerce to issue reports on the economic impact of the act.

KS SB2001

Economic development; provide incentives for certain economic development projects.

KS HB1

Economic Development; provide incentives for certain economic development projects.

KS HB1

Economic development; provide incentives for certain economic development projects.

KS HB2346

Substitute for HB 2346 by Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development - Establishing the Kansas sports tourism grant program administered by the secretary of commerce to provide matching grants to communities for developing and continuing sporting events, providing for funding of such grants from the state economic development initiatives fund or from the state general fund if funds are not available therefrom.

KS SB467

Increasing the membership appointed by the governor on the council on travel and tourism and updating the house committee assignment required for house members from the committee on agriculture and natural resources to the committee on commerce, labor and economic development;reducing the required allocation of funds from the department of commerce's matching grant program for the promotion of tourism by public and nonprofit entities and removing the restriction on the percentage of such funds granted to a single entity.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.