House Status:
Senate Status:
Senate Status:
Minutes for HB2238 - Committee on Local Government
Short Title
Eliminating the dollar limitation for acceptance of gifts by donors to school districts or cities, or both, for library purposes.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 17, 2021
The Chair opened the hearing on HB2238.
Mr. Heim reviewed the focus of the bill by saying that the short title summarizes the bill. He noted that current law restricts any gifts to a school district or city library to $500,000. The bill would remove that restriction.
Representative Ken Collins, District 2, spoke in support of the bill (Attachment 2). He stated that the small communities in his district are enriched when they can support a library, and the generosity of citizens should not be hampered by the present limitation.
Amanda Stanley, General Counsel for the Kansas League of Kansas Municipalities, offered support for the bill (Attachment 3). Noting that the present statute dates back to 1968 and has never been updated nor has the dollar cap been indexed, she commented that recently city managers have approached the League to address this limitation. Responding to a question,she replied that the bill applies only to libraries.
Via WebEx John Zafuta, City Administrator, City of Frontenac, added support for the bill by saying that in 2019 a local couple left a significant legacy enabling the city to build a library; however, the $500,000 cap precluded going forward with that plan. This bill would remove that barrier (Attachment 4). Responding to a question, Mr. Zafuta replied that the money is still available.
The Chair noted written-only testimony by Leah Fliter, Director of Government Relations, Kansas Association of School Boards (Attachment 5).
The Chair closed the hearing on HB2238.
