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Johnson County staff outlines state bills on property tax, bank investments and housing credits
Summary
County legislative staffer Erin Winn summarized action in Topeka affecting property-tax relief, a bankers bill that could reduce county interest earnings, and potential changes to housing tax credits; commissioners expressed concern about fiscal impacts and said the county will coordinate opposition where appropriate.
Erin Winn, a county staff member who delivered the legislative update, told the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 30 that state lawmakers have moved quickly on several property-tax and finance measures this session.
Winn said the Kansas House speaker announced the House will not take up a proposed constitutional amendment to cap property valuation increases. She also reported that the Kansas Senate passed two property-tax measures, including a measure discontinuing levies for the Kansas Educational Building Fund and the State Institutional Building Fund that would reduce levies by 1.5 mills and be backfilled from the state general fund.
Winn told the board that “House Bill 2152, it's being known as the bankers bill,” would change how local governments invest idle funds, extend a “first look” provision to bond proceeds and create a collateralized pool for bank collateral. “If it were enacted today it would be an estimated $5,000,000 loss in our interest earnings,” she said, describing county staff and partner organizations’ concerns and noting the county is coordinating opponent testimony with the Kansas Association of Counties and peer counties.
Winn also said the Senate passed Senate Bill 63, described as prohibiting gender-affirming care for minors, and that a bill to expand property-tax relief to renters and another to eliminate the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) were being watched closely. On the LIHTC she said the county’s adopted policy supports incentivizing development of attainable housing and that staff are coordinating with housing advocates.
Commissioners pressed for more detail on the bankers bill and potential fiscal effects. Commissioner Ashcraft said the county’s investment review committee discussed the bill and noted that interest earnings are a material part of the county budget; he and other commissioners said they want to submit testimony and explore amendments or carve-outs to protect local governments. Chairman Mike Kelly said county leaders “are working closely with our federal partners, our state partners and advocates to understand the impacts” and signaled support for continued outreach in Topeka.
The board did not take a formal vote on any state bills during the business session. Staff said hearings were scheduled in the coming days and that county representatives would continue to track and, where appropriate, oppose provisions that could reduce local revenue or complicate cash management.
Looking ahead, Winn said hearings on the bankers bill were scheduled the week after the meeting and that county staff would prepare analysis and recommended testimony for the board and its partners.
