Kansas 2024 1st Special Session

Kansas House Bill HB2001

Introduced
6/18/24  
Engrossed
6/18/24  
Enrolled
6/18/24  

Caption

Authorizing the secretary of commerce to enter into agreements with major professional sports franchises to establish STAR bond projects for a major professional sports complex, providing for additional revenue sources, expanding the powers and discretion of the secretary and making other changes to the STAR bonds financing act to facilitate such projects, limiting the secretary’s authority to approve such projects to one year unless extended by the legislative coordinating council, authorizing the Kansas development finance authority to issue STAR bonds for such projects, transferring funds under certain circumstances from the state gaming revenues fund to the attracting professional sports to Kansas fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and, if approved by the legislative coordinating council, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

Impact

The bill modifies existing STAR Bonds financing law by broadening revenue sources and providing the Secretary of Commerce with increased discretion for approving projects. Its passage signifies a shift in state policy towards encouraging professional sports in Kansas, which could lead to job creation and increased tax revenue from tourism and related activities. By allowing the financing of sports complexes, state funds could also be leveraged to facilitate economic development initiatives that benefit local communities directly, albeit with a degree of control maintained by state oversight.

Summary

House Bill 2001 is an economic development measure aimed at facilitating the establishment of STAR bond projects involving major professional sports franchises. The bill authorizes the Kansas Secretary of Commerce to enter into agreements with up to two professional sports teams to develop STAR bond projects, which are used to finance large-scale improvements and developments that are expected to enhance tourism and economic activity. Key aspects of the bill allow the Secretary to finance projects independently or in cooperation with local governments, thereby expanding the potential for revitalizing areas through new sports complexes.

Contention

points of contention arise regarding the concentration of authority in the Secretary of Commerce and the potential impact on local governance. The stipulation that local sales, use, or guest taxes cannot be pledged for repayment of bonds without local approval aims to address concerns about local autonomy. Opponents may argue that the bill could lead to financial burdens on local economies if the anticipated revenue from these projects does not materialize, potentially resulting in unsustainable debt levels.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS HB2466

Enacting the Kansas sports authority act, authorizing STAR bond projects in major amusement park areas and extending the expiration date of the STAR bonds financing act.

KS SB197

House Substitute for Substitute for SB 197 by Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development - Setting visitor origin requirements for STAR bond projects and providing for enforcement of such requirements, expanding transparency of such projects, authorizing the Kansas development finance authority to issue bonds for such projects, making certain other changes and extending the expiration date of the STAR bonds financing act.

KS HB2292

Providing for food sales tax revenue replacement for STAR bond districts established prior to December 31, 2022, establishing the STAR bonds food sales tax revenue replacement fund, providing for transfers from the state general fund to such revenue replacement fund and transfers from such revenue replacement fund in the amount of food sales tax revenues lost to the applicable cities or counties and extending the sunset date of the STAR bonds financing act to July 1, 2031.

KS HB2793

Enacting the Kansas sports authority act to establish a sports authority to provide for the construction, financing and management of certain sports facilities and sports facility infrastructure and create venues for professional sports and other events.

KS SB125

Making and concerning supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2025 and appropriations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 for various state agencies, authorizing certain capital improvement projects and fees, authorizing certain transfers authorizing the payment of certain claims against the state.

KS SB00001

An Act Making Adjustments To The State Budget For The Biennium Ending June 30, 2027, Making Deficiency Appropriations For The Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2026, Authorizing And Adjusting Bonds Of The State And Concerning Provisions Relating To Revenue, School Construction And Other Items To Implement The State Budget.

KS HB2513

Making and concerning supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2026 and appropriations for fiscal years 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030 for various state agencies, authorizing certain capital improvement projects and fees, authorizing certain transfers.

KS SB200

A Bond And Capital Improvements Act Of The State Of Delaware And Certain Of Its Authorities For The Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2026; Authorizing The Issuance Of General Obligation Bonds Of The State; Appropriating Funds From The Transportation Trust Fund; Authorizing The Issuance Of Revenue Bonds Of The Delaware Transportation Authority; Appropriating Special Funds Of The Delaware Transportation Authority; Appropriating General Funds Of The State; Reprogramming Certain Funds Of The State; Specifying Certain Procedures, Conditions And Limitations For The Expenditure Of Such Funds; And Amending Certain Statutory Provisions.

KS SB30

A Bond And Capital Improvements Act Of The State Of Delaware And Certain Of Its Authorities For The Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2026; Authorizing The Issuance Of General Obligation Bonds Of The State; Appropriating Funds From The Transportation Trust Fund; Authorizing The Issuance Of Revenue Bonds Of The Delaware Transportation Authority; Appropriating Special Funds Of The Delaware Transportation Authority; Appropriating General Funds Of The State; Reprogramming Certain Funds Of The State; Specifying Certain Procedures, Conditions And Limitations For The Expenditure Of Such Funds; And Amending Certain Statutory Provisions.

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 and providing for funding of such grants from the state economic development initiatives fund.

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