Conference committee moves Safe Seniors protection and military tax provision into House Bill 2044

A conference committee agreed to place two House provisions into empty shell House Bill 2044: language to keep eligible homeowners on the Safe Seniors Homestead program when their property appreciates and the income-tax provisions of House Bill 2036 that affect active-duty military stationed in Kansas.

A committee member explained the Safe Seniors change would "put the Safe Seniors Homestead continually continuing eligibility threshold into that bill," meaning a homeowner whose property increases in value but whose circumstances have not changed would not be removed from the assistance program. The change is designed to prevent loss of benefit solely because of home appreciation.

The committee also proposed adding the contents of House Bill 2036, described in the conference as the "Armed Forces Compensation Subtraction Modification." The sponsor said the provision would treat active-duty personnel stationed in Kansas in ways that affect their state income-tax status while here. Staff member Eddie clarified the scope: "House Bill 2036 does not include the change to the sales tax exemption and the replacement of the property tax exemption for veterans. This is the bill that is specific to income taxes for active duty members of the armed forces."

Members said they would wait for revisers to draft the combined language and expected a draft in roughly an hour; the committee planned to sign reports on items where language is agreed.