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Committee hears bill to grant sales tax exemption for Johnson County Christmas Bureau purchases and sales
Summary
Senate Bill 210 would amend KSA 79-3606 to provide a sales tax exemption for purchases made by or on behalf of the Johnson County Christmas Bureau Association and for sales by the organization; nonprofit leaders testified about services and fiscal needs.
Senate Bill 210 would amend KSA 79-3606 to exempt from sales tax tangible personal property and services purchased by or on behalf of the Johnson County Christmas Bureau Association for use in providing food, clothing, cleaning supplies, personal-care items and other necessities to people in need, and to exempt sales of tangible personal property by or on behalf of that organization.
Why it matters: the Johnson County Christmas Bureau is a long-running local charitable program that provides a holiday “shop” with free items and distributes groceries, coats, clothing and personal care items to residents in need. Proponents told the committee the exemption would reduce organizational costs and direct more resources to recipients.
Testimony and examples: Roseanne Newcomer, a longtime volunteer and former recipient, described personal experience with the bureau and urged lawmakers to support the bill: "My mom was actually a recipient of Johnson County Christmas Bureau, and I know firsthand the value of receiving literally a brand new coat." Newcomer said volunteering and serving on the board reinforced the program's neighborhood impact.
Jonathan Sublett, founder and executive director of Scent Inc., asked the committee to amend SB 210 to include his organization. "We have a low barrier client choice food pantry that feeds 600 families a month... We continue to provide holistic care for the community," Sublett said, and he requested the committee consider expanding eligibility to similar nonprofits; the committee asked for a fiscal note if the bill were amended to include his organization.
Nina Kimbrough, executive director of the Johnson County Christmas Bureau, said the bureau has operated since 1960 and provided services to more than 58,000 individuals in the past five years. She told senators the bureau spent about $260,000 to set up its holiday shop last year and that the fiscal note for the exemption implementation was roughly $17,000. "We spend about $260,000 to set up a holiday shop so that people can shop with dignity for their family," Kimbrough said.
Next steps: supporters asked the committee to adopt the exemption; the hearing closed with no opponents present and with written testimony filed by other organizations. The committee did not take a vote at this meeting.
Ending: Proponents urged the committee to approve the sales-tax exemption to reduce operating costs and increase the program's ability to serve vulnerable residents during the winter and holiday season.
