Housing (Property Development)

This bill proposes to amend the Kansas Constitution to completely ban the state and all local governments from levying any property taxes. The measure would directly affect all property owners in Kansas by eliminating the legal authority to collect these taxes on real estate, personal property, and other taxable assets. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters, it would remove the existing system that currently classifies and assesses different types of property at specific percentages of their value.

HB 2641, the Kansas Property Rights Protection Act, requires state and local governments to pay landowners compensation when government actions (like approving projects or enacting land-use rules) reduce property value. It mandates 110% compensation for temporary impacts (e.g., construction delays) and 150% for permanent value loss (including a buyout option if value drops over 10%). Governments must pay within 90 days or face daily penalties, and can later seek reimbursement from developers responsible for the project. The law excludes actions solely for public health/safety (e.g., nuisance abatement) but covers most development projects like wind farms or data centers.

HB 2187 requires government agencies and public utilities to make a good faith compensation offer to property owners at least 30 days before filing an eminent domain lawsuit. It prohibits using eminent domain for recreational trails or park facilities and deletes the legislature's power to condemn property for economic development. If the good faith offer exceeds an appraiser's award, the property owner can appeal to retain the higher amount, but the agency cannot appeal to reduce it. These changes aim to strengthen property owner protections by mandating upfront compensation and narrowing eminent domain use.

SB 262 requires Kansas government agencies and public utilities to make a good faith compensation offer to property owners at least 30 days before filing an eminent domain lawsuit, which cannot be reduced later. It prohibits using eminent domain for economic development projects or for recreational trails and park facilities, narrowing "public use" to only true public purposes. If the good faith offer exceeds the appraiser’s award, the property owner may appeal to receive the higher amount, but the agency cannot challenge this in court. These changes amend Kansas eminent domain law to strengthen property owner protections during condemnation proceedings.