Property Tax and Water Bills Reviewed

By Scout Nelson

The Kansas Legislature is rapidly moving bills through committees as it nears the halfway point of the session. During the last full week of committee meetings before turnaround, the Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) testified several bills affecting agriculture, property taxes, water management, and rural veterinary programs.

Agricultural corporations were a primary focus as KLA testified in opposition to SB 465 in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. The bill would prohibit the use of limited liability partnerships (LLPs) for agricultural land ownership in Kansas. KLA opposed the measure, citing unnecessary government interference and the lack of a grandfather's clause for existing operations.

Property tax legislation has also advanced. HB 2745 would require voter approval for taxing jurisdictions seeking to increase property tax revenues above 3% and create a property tax relief fund starting at $60 million in 2026. KLA supported the bill to help limit property tax increases and promote alternative revenue sources. HB 2011, also supported by KLA, would cap annual school property tax growth at 3% and raise the residential property tax exemption from $75,000 to $100,000.

Rural veterinary programs were addressed with HB 2582, creating the Developing Veterinary Medicine for Rural Kansas Program. The program provides loan repayment for veterinarians in rural communities or those with at least 50% food animal patients, up to $100,000 per applicant and capped at $300,000 annually. The bill passed committee with a six-year sunset and is now eligible for full House consideration.

Water funding - HB 2558 funds the state water plan with $60 million from the state general fund, emphasizing stockwater protection for rural communities. HB 2114 on dam inspections passed after amendments addressing KLA concerns. Conversely, KLA opposed HB 2363, which would allow local governments to approve or deny conservation easements, potentially infringing property rights.

KLA continues to guide legislators in balancing agricultural growth, property rights, and rural community needs while reviewing bills through committees.

Photo Credit: kansas-livestock-foundation