[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6339334,"mediaKeyId","2262186-5224503894bf8c0b31b1b16bfeb0f903","parentId",2262186,"title","Kansas committee hears bill to reinstate habitat tax credit, expand qualifying programs and public-access incentive","audioSeconds",2244,"startMs",63000,"endMs",2307000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2262186-5224503894bf8c0b31b1b16bfeb0f903&start=63&end=2307","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2262186-5224503894bf8c0b31b1b16bfeb0f903/thumbnail_63000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6339334/Kansas/Kansas-committee-hears-bill-to-reinstate-habitat-tax-credit-expand-qualifying-programs-and-public-access-incentive","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339334-55a2698711a875f22104c2ca0668d34f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775742987&Signature=MHx7xvpcz9QAQclkM3b7QdTmVN3GfWEFBmoRPhw6iD9H0xUzK5vjp76wNl0yjW4AupYD8fnPyYIbQG3Z7fiv81Rvk0akbHsSBpYqfW~WlZABOwb-wrJjXdFuBGLKYFeYaCg3QFWg5Nt1xf6tBX6VU8t28SH9nXt6qhtBcsqA6U7XUVUkL8TxbNmZHeMjVAOxLAvO3pRJ31AFMKM~BrOYBRnkJNK54yi23GpJG1TUGSy5kYRFyYj3SVZlqWuBjrhhDLEYVILdoEiztCDzkDE0y4vqPkCxoWU-~k1~LLw--lD-EhdcJs2Ptwl-PyJHy2ZpAcAhxf4MVkaf6HsLewKyAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","KS Legislature","date","2025-02-11T00:00:00Z","article","House Bill 2097 would reinstate a nongame and endangered species habitat income tax credit that previously existed in statute and add a separate property-tax-based credit for private land that provides public access for hunting, fishing or other public use.

The bill, introduced to the Committee on Taxation for hearing, would (1) revive an income tax credit that originally took effect in 1998 and was later sunset, and (2) create a second credit equal to the property taxes paid on land enrolled in a program that provides public access for hunting or fishing. The measure directs the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to post on its website a list of department programs and conservation organizations that meet standards for ecological benefit and integrity and therefore qualify for the credit. The bill also requires that applicable critical habitat be identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to qualify certain management activities.

Why it matters: proponents told the committee the bill is designed to expand habitat management and public access on private land in Kansas — a state that has relatively little public land — and to provide a financial incentive for landowners to open property to hunters and anglers. Proponents argued the measure would support conservation work on working agricultural lands and help sustain outdoor recreation that benefits rural economies and families who hunt for food.

Fiscal impacts and agency notes: Kathleen Smith of the Department of Revenue told the committee the fiscal effect is bifurcated. The department expects minimal negative fiscal impact from the reinstated income tax credit based on historic low usage. For the access-based property tax credit, Revenue said KDWP identified roughly 1,100,000 acres in its walk‑in access programs and multiplied that by a statewide agricultural-land tax per acre of about $6.29 to reach a preliminary gross estimate of roughly $6.9 million. Revenue then estimated one‑third of that amount would be an allowable credit against taxpayers’ liability in a given year, producing an estimated negative impact of about $2.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and a like amount in fiscal year 2028. The bill would allow unused credits to be carried forward.

Testimony and main objections: Representative Carpenter, who identified experience on the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission and said he is a lifelong outdoorsman, and representatives of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and the Nature Conservancy testified in favor. Kurt Ratzliff of the Kansas chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers described the proposal as “a win‑win proposition for everybody,” saying it helped small hunters gain access to lands increasingly leased by large outfitters. Justin Cobb of the Nature Conservancy emphasized the public benefits of private habitat and supported the bill’s broader definition of qualifying conservation programs to meet a diversity of landowner needs.

Committee members pressed proponents and agency staff on details: Representative Smith clarified that the proposal targets private land (most state property is not subject to property tax). Representative Wolfe asked whether landowner concerns about vetting users on open properties had been addressed and whether the fiscal effect would increase hunting-license fees; proponents and staff said vetting and access controls depend on the specific walk‑in program and that the fiscal note reflects a state tax‑credit cost to the general fund but does not specify an offset. Committee members also discussed that the credit would be prorated for the portion of the year access is provided (for example, nine months of access would be a 75% credit), a detail proponents said could reduce the Revenue estimate.

Outcome: the item was heard; the committee did not take final action on House Bill 2097 during this session.

Ending: supporters asked the committee to consider the bill as a tool to sustain habitat and access on private lands; Revenue and KDWP were identified as key implementers if the credit is enacted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Committee on Taxation 02/11/2025","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 2097 would reinstate a nongame and endangered species habitat income tax credit and create a separate property‑tax credit for private land enrolled to provide public hunting, fishing or other public access.","taxTitle","Committee on Taxation, Standing, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Kansas","taxId",19125,"location","Kansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6339324,"Tax committee advances 10‑year property tax exemption for new energy storage systems after date amendment",585,2612000,3197000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2262186-5224503894bf8c0b31b1b16bfeb0f903&start=2612&end=3197","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2262186-5224503894bf8c0b31b1b16bfeb0f903/thumbnail_2612000.jpg","/articles/6339324/Kansas/Tax-committee-advances-10year-property-tax-exemption-for-new-energy-storage-systems-after-date-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339324-23c08210262fdb637014918bea53649d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775742987&Signature=jFjG5f2jxWUj2jIbqwt~QJnjtTuEqm6zvrvDlSjgz9mR27wiUefFKaogickwJGPsgmyh40CXYBNM8nJQ46J8glbCM1tW9HVEd~0nZC5HEM72LQ747W0vDNTbVtvls7~OqrF6QYxIH7SutzoO0YhSx5OpvV2mK7E6K9dBJ9fS~ZPodwrhCmIdOmufyJGMbE27Jqjx4KTanmKm60Iq-tEJ8uuqt-F6yHaBZryuTpLljpafJciK-1bFIOYrsL2WYSE6jHTA~zRU6e1upL6uLHgpzAqCdSR5jdUARveXfGnR8jV0J~rLhnGyzYdP33b3WQP-yNqsGv3g-15KpvNGFFqa0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 2083 would make new energy storage systems eligible for a 10‑year property tax exemption and explicitly exclude such systems from lifetime treatment under the state commercial and industrial machinery and equipment (CIME) exemption.

Reviser summary and amendment: The reviser told the committee the bill would provide a 10‑year exemption for new energy storage systems and remove them from the CIME lifetime exemption. Representative Poe Heisel offered an amendment to change the bill’s effective date forward to Jan. 1, 2025 so the statutory cap would apply to projects built after that date; the amendment was adopted.

Committee debate: Members questioned the public policy tradeoffs. Representative Turner argued energy‑storage projects are market investments that largely serve to buy low and sell high in wholesale markets and suggested tabling the bill until federal and regional regulators (FERC and SPP) clarify classification and rating rules; Turner later withdrew a motion to table and the committee voted down the tabling motion. Other members said the exemption provides certainty for investors and could promote construction where desired.

Fiscal and implementation notes: The reviser’s summary and testimony during the hearing described the change in tax treatment and the cutoff dates for construction and county approvals; the amendment adjusted those dates to 2025. The committee did not receive a detailed fiscal estimate in the hearing record included in the transcript, but members discussed potential effects on local revenue and questioned job and manufacturing impacts for storage projects.

Committee action: After debate the committee approved the Poe Heisel amendment and voted to pass House Bill 2083 favorably as amended; Representative Poe Heisel moved the final motion and Representative Hsu seconded. The chair announced the ayes had it and the motion carried.

Ending: Committee members asked staff to monitor classification work at FERC and SPP and discussed the idea of revisiting policy next year if federal/regional rulings change treatment of energy storage.","House Bill 2083 would subject new energy storage systems to a 10‑year property tax exemption and remove them from the CIME exemption; the committee approved an amendment moving enactment to Jan. 1, 2025 and reported the bill favorably as amended.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6339329,"Committee approves head‑of‑household exemption bill with amendment raising disabled‑veteran exemption",294,2314000,2608000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2262186-5224503894bf8c0b31b1b16bfeb0f903&start=2314&end=2608","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2262186-5224503894bf8c0b31b1b16bfeb0f903/thumbnail_2314000.jpg","/articles/6339329/Kansas/Committee-approves-headofhousehold-exemption-bill-with-amendment-raising-disabledveteran-exemption","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339329-2490f4f3ad9716649b458e4eb915a3cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775742987&Signature=FvmZZxvgyfM8Hgx1MdaxxhyUO95sv1ytrsJOiBoqFoLcOTkLHmxdi6Kk4N4a80WcHVjyfgexRU-poZPtoyp9aq737aLFVxOTH~RpXlbr9FCEshQDz6Ien6lEETuGVSSpiThGWJ9pm6h9~ala8qGyKYW8hFTZ2qCTAmENXdBpq~q4Ph1VpR5aHHCZCRtEsuBZwW8Y2-Cu~eP0IpKIIHunrbU0oZb47ADbvmp04SouxLGDG3natMKvibmxmbzsN-24rL5z1wfrHCCR9646LJdY2VjOggysBCRCRmNkOnBBRy6mQyGeURDDkCH6eI9d56q27ivnrQ~5E2PlZ8oyOv5kZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Taxation voted to advance House Bill 2231, which provides head‑of‑household tax filers an additional Kansas exemption of $2,320 for tax year 2024 and going forward, and includes an amendment that increases an additional exemption for honorably discharged disabled veterans.

Reviser summary and amendment: The reviser told the committee the bill would apply the additional exemption beginning with tax year 2024. Representative Howerton offered a balloon amendment to update an existing disabled‑veteran exemption amount to align with the new head‑of‑household figure; the amendment was distributed and explained as a technical update that raises the dollar amount used for that veteran exemption starting in tax year 2025.

Fiscal note: Kathleen Smith of the Department of Revenue said the amendment changing the disabled‑veteran exemption would have a small fiscal impact — around $21,000 — and that approximately 8,300 veterans would be eligible to claim the increased exemption.

Committee action: Representative Francis moved that House Bill 2231 be passed favorably as amended; Representative Howerton seconded. The voice vote was taken and the motion carried.

Context and committee discussion: Representatives asked whether the statutory change would affect taxpayers who already filed for 2024; committee members and staff indicated the change reflects current department interpretation and would not require adjustments for returns already filed. During debate members compared the change to federal head‑of‑household treatment and described the amendment as bringing statutory language into alignment with existing practice.

Ending: The committee advanced the bill to the next stage with the approved amendment; the Department of Revenue provided the committee with the primary fiscal estimate for the amended provision.","The Committee on Taxation voted to pass House Bill 2231 favorably as amended; the bill creates an additional Kansas exemption for head‑of‑household filers ($2,320) effective for tax year 2024 and raises an honorably discharged disabled‑veteran exemption amount, a change Revenue estimated would cost about $21,000 annually.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Kansas committee hears bill to reinstate habitat tax credit, expand qualifying programs and public-access incentive

Tax committee advances 10‑year property tax exemption for new energy storage systems after date amendment

Committee approves head‑of‑household exemption bill with amendment raising disabled‑veteran exemption