Minutes for SB90 - Committee on Commerce

Short Title

Amending the Kansas rural housing incentive district act to permit bond funding for vertical residential renovation of older buildings in central business districts.

Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 10, 2021

Chairman Olson opened the hearing on SB90 and called for Charles Reimer for a Revisor of Statutes overview of the bill.

Chairman Olson called upon David Soffer for primary proponent testimony on the bill. Mr Soffer asserted that there existed tremendous rural housing shortages at several levels. Mr. Soffer explained how the bill would expand the types of projects allowable under the Rural Housing Incentive District statute to encourage vertical construction of second floor and above (for structures 25 years and older located in a central business district. Mr. Soffer referred the list of Rural Housing Incentive District approval since 2010.

(Attachment 1)

Chairman Olson called upon Mark Tomb who introduced James Sauder for supporting proponent testimony. Mr. Sauder expressed a need for a variety of project options to attract developers to small town downtown areas. He explained that multiple tools are necessary to fit the needs and overall scope of a project dealing with high risk existing infrastructures. Mr. Sauder pointed out that vertical development utilizes existing infrastructure and avoids the high costs of expanding a city footprint.

(Attachment 2)

Chairman Olson called upon Erik Sartorius to speak for Trey Cocking for proponent testimony from the perspective of a municipality. Mr. Sartorius estimated that approximately 99 Kansas counties could benefit from this bill by increasing 24 hour use of downtown areas at involving lower construction costs.

(Attachment 3)

Written-Only Proponent Testimony:

Andrea Krause, John O. Farmer, Inc..

(Attachment 4)

JoAnn Knight, Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation

(Attachment 5)

Written-Only Opponent Testimony:

Michael Austin, Kansas Policy Institute

(Attachment 6)

Discussion ensued. Seeing no more committee comments or questions, Chairman Olson closed the hearing on SB90.