HB2544--SALESTAX SPONSOR: Patterson COMMITTEEACTION:Voted"DoPass"bytheSpecialCommitteeon Tourismbyavoteof10to0. BeginningJune1,2026,andendingJuly31,2026,thisbill authorizesasalestaxexemptionforthesaleofticketstomatches ofthe2026FIFAWorldCupsoccertournamentheldinJackson County. ThisbillissimilartoSB652(2022). PROPONENTS: Supporterssaythatthiswouldhaveanestimated$700 millioneconomicimpactonthestateandwouldboosttourism. KansasCityisonFIFA'sshortlistandweneedthisbilltopass tohelpsecureahostcityspot. TestifyingforthebillwereRepresentative Patterson;MikeKehoe, OfficeofLieutenantGovernor;RichardMartin,JeDunn Construction;SamPanettiere,CityofKansasCity;SamPanettiere, BurnsandMcDonnell;GreaterKansasCityChamberofCommerce; MetropolitanCommunityCollege;BlueCrossBlueShieldofKansas City;HallmarkCards;RichAubuchon,TheKansasCityChiefs FootballClub;JacksonCountyLegislature;KansasCityArea Transportation Authority;andtheBuilders'Association. OPPONENTS: Thosewhoopposethebillsaythatitissettingthe wrongexampleandisbadpublicpolicy. TestifyingagainstthebillwasArnieC.Dienoff. Writtentestimonyhasbeensubmittedforthisbill.Thefull writtentestimonycanbefoundunderTestimonyonthebillpageon theHousewebsite.