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House sets aside bill that would bar impact fees for school districts and charter schools
Summary
Lawmakers "circled" H.B. 259 after extended debate about fairness and municipal impacts; sponsor sought to stop inconsistent charging of impact fees to school districts and charter schools but members asked for League-led compromise amendments.
Representative Stephen Sandstrom introduced H.B. 259 to prohibit cities from charging impact fees to school districts and charter schools, saying the current system generated inconsistent and sometimes large charges to districts. Sandstrom argued the measure would correct perceived inequities, noting that some districts pay millions while others pay nothing.
Opponents — including Representative Webb, Representative Powell and others — said the bill would shift burdens to small cities and rural communities and undermine existing impact-fee statutory tools that already allow exemptions or adjustments. Powell disclosed a possible conflict of interest as a city attorney and warned the measure could create larger injustices than it fixed.
Representative Falk moved to "circle" the bill to allow the League of Cities and other stakeholders to work on recommended amendments. Backers and some skeptics agreed the bill would benefit from negotiations; the chair ruled the motion to circle passed. The bill was set aside for further work rather than advanced on the floor.
