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Kansas panel extends deadline for Osawatomie to develop state‑conveyed land
Summary
The Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee advanced Senate Bill 146 to extend the state'reserved reversion date on property conveyed to the city of Osawatomie, giving the city an additional 20 years to pursue economic development on the site.
Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee advanced Senate Bill 146 on a unanimous voice vote, clearing the way for an extension of a state reversionary interest on land conveyed to the city of Osawatomie.
The measure would amend the statute enacted in 2006 that conveyed roughly 327 acres to the city and reserved a reversionary interest in the state if the property, or any portion of it, was not used for economic development by July 1, 2026. Under SB 146, the reversion date would be extended 20 years to July 1, 2046, and the Secretary for Aging and Disability Services and the city would be directed to execute amended conveyance documents and file them with the register of deeds by July 1, 2025.
The bill drew proponent testimony from Brett Glendening, City Manager of Osawatomie, who described 20 years of outreach and development efforts and said the city has extended utilities and is bidding sewer work to encourage development. "Every viable option that has been presented to the city of Osawatomie the city has put its hat into the ring," Glendening said. He told the committee the city has used part of the property for a paintball course and for a solar array that supplies 5 megawatts to the municipal utility, saving customers roughly "$20,000 to $25,000 a month in cost of electricity generated."
Committee staff summarized the bill as an amendment to the original 2006 statute to push back the reversion date for the state reserved interest to 2046, and to authorize the required conveyance amendment by the Secretary for Aging and Disability Services together with the city. Senators asked about existing uses and whether the city paid consideration; Glendening said the property was conveyed without payment and remains city-owned. He said roughly 10 acres host a paintball operation and 40–60 acres hold a solar array operated under a power‑purchase agreement with Evergy; the remaining acreage is undeveloped farm or pasture land.
Motion and committee action: Senator Tyson moved that SB 146 be passed favorably and placed on the consent calendar; Senator Gossage seconded. The committee called the question and the motion carried by voice vote; the chairman announced the vote as unanimous.
The committee chair said the bill appears noncontroversial and would be moved to the consent calendar so the city can continue seeking development for the property over the extended period.
