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Commerce committee advances SB197 after debate over Star Bonds reporting and limits on bond-funded construction
Summary
The Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development voted to pass Senate Bill 197 favorably as amended, adopting a new reporting requirement on businesses moving into and out of Star Bond districts and removing mall and port-authority language. Members debated limits on bond-funded vertical construction and statutory questions about additional bond issuances.
TOPEKA — The Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development voted to pass Senate Bill 197 favorably as amended after lawmakers debated changes to the state's Star Bond program, including new reporting requirements and limits on certain bond-funded vertical construction.
Mike Ditch of the Legislative Research Department opened the meeting with a review of statutory changes since 2021, noting the program's scheduled sunset and several new requirements for feasibility studies and reporting. "I'll cover changes to the star bonds program since 2021," Ditch said, summarizing higher capital-investment and gross-sales thresholds and new disclosure rules.
The measure's most prominent amendment, introduced by Rep. Christy Williams, directs the Department of…
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