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Minutes for HB2506 - Committee on Ethics, Elections and Local Government
Short Title
Rehabilitation of abandoned property by cities.
Minutes Content for Tue, Mar 13, 2018
Chairperson Bowers opened the hearing on HB2506. Mike Heim, staff revisor, provided a briefing on the bill. Mr. Heim addressed questions from the Committee.
Whitney Damron testified in support of HB2506. Mr. Damron reviewed some of the history of the bill. Mr. Damron indicated that every year this legislation has been refined trying to take into account the concerns of the opponents and ideas from proponents. Mr. Damron described and commented on suggested amendments to HB2506 by Americans for Prosperity (AFP). Mr. Damron addressed questions from the Committee. (Attachment 1)
Doug Gerber testified in support of HB2506. Mr. Gerber stated this has been and continues to be an important piece of legislation for the City of Topeka. Mr. Gerber indicated this bill if adopted, even with the compromises, will provide one more tool in the toolbox to allow them to continue to work with their neighborhoods and associations to make improvements across the city. Mr. Gerber addressed questions from the Committee. (Attachment 2)
Patrick Vogelsberg testified in support of HB2506. Mr. Vogelsberg indicated this bill strengthens protection by using a three-prong test: 1) two years delinquent taxes; 2) unoccupied for 15 months; and 3) have a blighting influence. Mr. Vogelsberg stated we need to weigh and try to balance the property right interests of everyone involved in these communities. Mr. Vogelsberg addressed questions from the Committee. (Attachment 3)
Mike Taylor testified in support of HB2506. Mr. Taylor stated the goal of this legislation is not to take a property from somebody, it's to take a property that no one wants and to save it and get it returned to the market as a house where a family or person can live and make a nice residence. Mr. Taylor stated this legislation is the result of years of work and compromise. Mr. Taylor addressed questions from the Committee. (Attachment 4)
Amanda Stanley testified in support of HB2506 emphasizing this is not just a large city problem. Ms. Stanley stated this is a substantial problem across the state. Ms. Stanley commented on the suggested AFP amendments; and explained an amendment they would like considered. Ms. Stanley indicated they want people in these homes; they want to fix this problem Ms. Stanley addressed questions from the Committee. (Attachment 5)
Dick Carter testified in support of HB2506. Mr. Carter stated they have had the opportunity to provide input on this legislation, and are supportive given the changes that have occurred over the past several years. Mr. Carter stated they believe this bill creates an important tool and provides more flexibility for cities to address unmaintained and abandoned housing that is causing a detrimental impact on neighborhoods in our communities and surrounding properties. Mr. Carter addressed questions from the Committee. (Attachment 6)
Written testimony in support of HB2506 was submitted by:
Ed Klumpp on behalf of Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, Kansas Sheriffs Association, and Kansas Peace Officers Association (Attachment 7)
Chairperson Bowers drew the Committee's attention to a document Jill Shelley and Katelin Neikirk, research staff, prepared that compares HB2506 to similar bills from 2017, 2016, and 2013. (Attachment 8)
After questions from the Committee were addressed, Chairperson Bowers announced those in opposition and neutral will be heard tomorrow. Chairperson Bowers suspended the hearing on HB2506.
