Kansas House Bill HB2211

Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/25
• Refer: 2/3/25

Caption

Providing funding for STAR bond districts to replace lost food sales tax revenue.

Impact

The implementation of HB2211 is expected to have significant implications for local economic development in Kansas. By compensating for lost revenues, the bill aims to support the economic stability of STAR bond districts, which often rely on sales tax to fund municipal services and infrastructure. This act also creates the STAR bonds food sales tax revenue replacement fund within the state treasury, ensuring a dedicated source for the financial transfers necessary for the districts. The provision of ongoing assistance is seen as a means to sustain local business environments while encouraging potential future developments in targeted areas.

Summary

House Bill 2211 establishes a framework to replace lost food sales tax revenue for STAR bond districts that were created before December 31, 2022. It is designed to assist local governments by providing funding that compensates for reductions in sales tax revenues associated with the sales of food and food ingredients. The bill mandates that starting from July 15, 2025, the Kansas Secretary of Revenue will certify the amount of revenue lost, providing critical data for funding decisions moving forward. This data will inform the extent of financial assistance that eligible districts will receive from the state government.

Contention

Despite its intended benefits, the bill may face scrutiny regarding its implications for taxpayer resources. Critics may argue about the responsibility of the state to cover these lost revenues, questioning whether this financial support diverts funding from other pressing state needs or programs. There may also be debates about the long-term effects of maintaining such a revenue replacement system and whether it could create dependency among local governments on state intervention. Overall, the key contention will be about balancing local fiscal responsibility with state-level assistance aimed at fostering development.

Notable_points

The bill is part of a broader strategy to enhance economic development through the use of STAR bond financing, a mechanism designed to capture future tax revenues generated by property development to finance bond repayments. HB2211 modifies the definition of tax increment to include sales tax revenues that would have been generated from food sales, thus expanding the scope of financial considerations for STAR bond districts. This amendment highlights the growing focus on ensuring that local economies can adequately fund essential services while fostering growth through targeted investments.