Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
March 28, 2025
The 2025 regular session ended. Veto session starts April 10th and is scheduled to last two days. Below are a few of the items we worked on last week. All legislation can be found at www.KSLegislature.gov.
Property Taxes the statewide 1.5 mill levy used for building maintenance will be eliminated if CCR 35 becomes law. The Senate passed the tax cut in January. In March, the House gutted the bill and put language in that would repeal transparency (often referred to as Revenue Neutral that requires local governments to vote on property tax increases) and created an option to petition counties and cities to restrict property tax increases over inflation plus new development plus some bonding, but the Senate saw too many issues so asked for a conference committee. The House agreed in conference to put the Senate version back, eliminating the statewide 1.5 mill levy tax cut. Some legislators complained because it is a minimal cut, but a cut is a step in the right direction. Keep in mind, it is a cut that will save you more each year, because you will no longer pay 1.5 mill on your increased valuations. All property taxes will now be to fund local governments, including schools, not state government.
The Senate also passed constitutional amendments that would have gone on a ballot for voters to decide if they want to limit property taxable valuation increases. The county valuation of your property could still increase but the taxable value of your property would be limited in growth each year. The Senate passed it three times by 2/3 majority (in SCR 1603 and HCR 5011, with a 3% limit on a bipartisan vote; and CCR 5011 with a 4% limit). It doesn’t make sense the Senate passed each one with 2/3 majority, and the House rejected the opportunity for voters to decide. The House passed a more clunky version to limit taxable value increases using an average of several years that could still result in double digit increases and would have taken longer to implement because the number of years would have to be defined in statute. The House could still move on SCR 1603 in veto session, but the odds are slim because lobbyists for the Kansas Realtors and others are putting out inaccurate information. SCR 1603 would allow voters to decide if they want a taxable valuation limit of 3%. I say, let the voters decide.
Foreign Adversaries would not be able to own property within 100 miles of a military facility in Kansas and drones or parts for drones made by foreign adversaries could no longer be purchased by government entities, including law enforcement, if CCR 9 becomes law. This would restrict foreign governments from spying. The Senate sent it to the Governor’s desk on a vote of 39 to 1. I voted Yes.
Right To Try experimental drugs if you are out of health options passed the Senate unanimously and was sent to the Governor.
Contingent Fee Contracts by political subdivisions would have a higher level of scrutiny if HB 2228 becomes law. That sounds good, but the bill had some suspicious dates like back dating to July 1, 2024, and sunsetting in 2029. Only 9 other Senators had concerns, so the bill passed with 28 yes votes. I voted No.
Campaign Contribution Limits to candidates would double if the Governor signs CCR 2054 into law. It would also increase contribution limits to political parties. We do not need increased contribution limits. It passed 26 to 14. I voted No.
Kansas Court of Appeals appointment of Lori Bolton Fleming from southeast Kansas, passed the Senate unanimously, which finalized her appointment.
Kansas Supreme Court Justices could be elected if voters decide to amend the Kansas Constitution on the August 2026 ballot. SCR 1611 passed both chambers with 2/3 majority. I voted Yes.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn