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Minutes for HB2583 - Committee on Local Government
Short Title
Clarify the vacation of territory from city boundaries or release of easements.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 19, 2020
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
By motion of Representative Clark, second by Representative Capps, and unanimous vote of the Committee, the February 12, 2020, minutes were approved.
The Chair opened the hearing for HB2583.
Staff Mike Heim briefed the Committee on the bill. He said the intent of the bill is to clarify current statutes regarding the vacating of streets and easements and to set a time frame for any owner challenge. Responding to a question, he replied that the public hearing can be held by a planning commission or by another governing body.
Amanda Stanley, General Counsel, League of Kansas Municipalities (LKM), noting that procedures by a city to vacate a street have been largely unchanged for 100 years except that in 1957 the Kansas Legislature widened the statute to include any governing body, an addition that created uncertainty when compared with various specific city codes dealing with the same issue. She commented that the bill also adds a time limit for any landowner challenging a city's decision regarding vacating property (Attachment 1).
The Chair closed the hearing on HB2583.
