Chairperson Smith opened the hearing on HB2745.

Adam Siebers provided an overview for HB2745 that would require a vote of the electors to approve increases in property tax revenues for the next year for taxing jurisdictions.(Attachment 1)

Mr. Siebers stood for questions from Committee members.

Kathleen Smith, Kansas Department of Revenue, noted the Department is estimating HB2745 would increase expenditures from the State General Fund by approximately $60.0 million in FY2027, $61.2 million in FY2028, and $62.4 million in FY2029.  Demand transfers from the State General Fund to the Property Tax Relief Fund are treated as expenditures from the State General Fund for budget purposes.  The amounts would be provided to counties for property tax relief.  

Ms. Smith stood for questions from Committee members.

Proponents:

Leah Fliter, Assistant Executive Director of Advocacy, Kansas Association of School Board, provided HB2745 proponent in-person testimony to the Committee. (Attachment 2)

John Donley, Kansas Farm Bureau, provided HB2745 proponent in-person testimony to the Committee. (Attachment 3)

Nathan Kessler, Principal Economist, Kansas Action for Children, provided HB2745 proponent in-person testimony to the Committee. (Attachment 4)

Aaron Popelka, V.P. of Legal and Governmental Affairs, Kansas Livestock Association, provided HB2745 proponent in-person testimony to the Committee. (Attachment 5)

Jim Benage, Mayor, City of Bel Aire, Kansas, provided HB2745 proponent in-person testimony to the Committee.   Mr. Benage also provided proposed changes to HB2745. (Attachment 6), (Attachment 7), (Attachment 8)

The conferees stood for question from Committee members.

Opponents:

Nathan Eberline, Executive Director and Spencer Duncan, Government Affairs Director, League of Kansas Municipalities, provided HB2745 opponent in-person testimony to the Committee. (Attachment 9)

Michael Koss, City of Overland Park, provided HB2745 opponent in-person testimony to the Committee. (Attachment 10)

Kiel Mangus, City Manager, City of Derby, provided HB2745 opponent in-person testimony to the Committee. (Attachment 11)

David Dillner, City of El Dorado, provided HB2745 opponent in-person testimony to the Committee. (Attachment 12)

Nick H. Hernandez, City of Dodge City, provided HB2745 opponent in-person testimony to the Committee. (Attachment 13)

Kimberly Gencur Svaty, Kansas Municipal Utilities, provided HB2745 opponent in-person testimony to the Committee. (Attachment 14)

Steven Brooks, City of Seneca, Kansas, provided HB2745 opponent in-person testimony to the Committee. (Attachment 15)

Jason Hannaman, Finance Director, City of Prairie Village on behalf of Johnson County cities of Mission, Merriam, Prairie Village, Roeland Park, and Westwood Hills, provided HB2745 opponent in-person testimony to the Committee.(Attachment 16)

The conferees stood for questions from Committee members.

Opponent written only testimony for HB2745 was submitted by the following:

Chad Russell, Kansas State Association of Fire Chiefs (Attachment 17)

Chief Darrell Atteberry, Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, (Attachment 18)

A thru G Cities of Kansas (Attachment 19)

H thru W City of Kansas (Attachment 20)

Neutral:

Dave Trabert, Kansas Policy Institute, provided HB2745 neutral in-person testimony to the Committee. (Attachment 21) 

Eric Stafford, VP of Government Affairs, Kansas Chamber, provided HB2745 neutral in-person testimony to the Committee. (Attachment 22)

Jay Hall, Kansas Association of Counties, provided HB2745 neutral in-person testimony to the Committee.(Attachment 23)

Mike Taylor, Kansas County Commissioners Association, provided HB2745 neutral in-person testimony to the Committee. (Attachment 24)

The conferees stood for questions from Committee members.

Chairperson Smith closed the hearing for HB2745.

Chairperson Smith adjourned the meeting at 5:24 p.m.

Next scheduled House Taxation meeting is February 16, 2026.