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Committee advances election-based alternative (HB 2396) that would let voters decide tax increases
Summary
The committee recommended favorably a Senate substitute for House Bill 2396 as amended, which the staff described as an election-version of the revenue-neutral concept: governing bodies would need voter approval at an August election to exceed property-tax revenue increases set by the Midwest CPI or 3%, whichever is lower; motion passed by voice vote with one recorded no.
The Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee advanced a Senate substitute for House Bill 2396 that staff described as the election-based counterpart to HB 2745.
Amelia told the committee that 2396 was amended to insert the content of 2745 but to make it an election provision rather than a protest-petition process: "2745 is the petition version. 2396 is the election version. We'll be picking that up after we pass this one out." She said the committee previously voted to make the election be held in August.
Under the conceptual language Amelia read, a governing body "shall not approve any budget that provides for funding by property tax revenues in an amount exceeding the amount of property tax levied for the previous tax year as adjusted to reflect the increase in the average of the consumer price index for all urban consumers in the Midwest region ... except by not more than 3% unless the governing body first makes a proposal ... and such resolution is submitted to and approved by a majority of the qualified electors ... voting at an election called and held thereon." Amelia said the bill would likely rely on KSA 10-120 for notice and calling instructions.
Procedural actions: Senators moved the register request and passage by voice vote. Senator Tyson moved (seconded by Senator Peterson) to move the substitute to the register; that motion passed by voice vote. Senator Peck then moved that the committee pass the Senate substitute for HB 2396 as amended; Senator Tyson seconded and the motion carried by voice vote. Senator Francisco asked to be recorded as voting no.
Why it matters: If enacted, the measure would require voter approval at a local August election for taxing subdivisions that seek to raise property-tax-funded budgets beyond a revenue-neutral benchmark tied to the Midwest CPI (or a 3% cap). The change would shift final authority in contested increases toward direct voter approval rather than petition-driven challenges.
Next steps: The committee-recommended substitute advances to subsequent steps in the Senate process.
