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Minutes for SB124 - Committee on Local Government, Transparency and Ethics
Short Title
Imposing unilateral annexation restrictions on cities and expanding the causes of action for landowners to challenge such annexations.
Minutes Content for Tue, Mar 18, 2025
Chairperson Bowers opened the informational hearing on SB124. Charles Reimer, staff revisor, presented a briefing on the bill.
Senator Shane testified in support of SB124. Senator Shane explained the purpose of this bill is not to take away a municipality's ability to annex or to grow. Senator Shane noted this is a challenging topic area with a lot of different interests. Senator Shane emphasized the need to make sure that the interests of both the city and also the rural property owners impacted by annexation are preserved. (Attachment 1)
Jennifer Williams testified in support of SB124. Ms. Williams noted this particular situation affects about a 20-square mile area of an unincorporated community. Ms. Williams provided some history and information regarding the legal cases related to their issue. (Attachment 2)
Jay Hall testified in support of SB124. Mr. Hall indicated one of the things that many county residents living in unincorporated areas are concerned about is they feel there should be some sort of representation from the county in this process. Mr. Hall explained right now there is no county step within that process, which he suggested may be something to consider when looking at this bill if it moves forward. (Attachment 3)
Senator Shane and Mr. Hall addressed questions from the Committee.
Written proponent testimony for SB124 was submitted by:
- Brett Kuper, Private Citizen (Attachment 4)
- Dennis Koch, Private Citizen (Attachment 5)
- Frank Bannister, Private Citizen (Attachment 6)
Dan Warner testified in opposition to SB124. Mr. Warner indicated the changes proposed in this bill undercuts a city's ability to annex land to facilitate future growth. Mr. Warner noted cities need to grow in order to keep a city's economy moving forward. Mr. Warner explained new growth helps pay for the infrastructure and services of the existing population and a city that is unable to grow and add population will see its economy stagnate. (Attachment 7)
John Goodyear testified in opposition to SB124. Mr. Goodyear indicated the League of Kansas Municipalities supports the ability of local jurisdictions to make their own decisions regarding orderly growth through annexation. Mr. Goodyear stated SB124 as written appears to prevent if not all, most unilateral annexations. (Attachment 8)
Chairperson Bowers closed the informational hearing on SB124.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:17 a.m.
