Chairperson Smith opened the hearing for HB2470.

Adam Siebers, Office of Revisor of Statutes provided an overview for HB2470 that will provide that municipalities with a population of less than 10,000 shall be allowed to designate the entire municipality as being within a neighborhood revitalization area under the Kansas Neighborhood Revitalization Act. (Attachment 1)

Mr. Siebers stood for questions from Committee members.

The Department of Commerce and the Department of Revenue both state that HB2470 would not have a fiscal impact.

Proponents:

In response to a question raised earlier, Mr. Eisenhauser clarified HB2470 only applies to the local portion and is only the municipalities that adopt or opt into the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan.

Tyson Eisenhauer testified via Webex as a proponent for the Neighborhood Revitalization Act, HB2470, is to promote revitalization and encourage development of properties and also operates as a property tax rebate program.  The rebate goes to the taxpayer that does the work to create the increment.

Pratt County is currently developing a new Neighborhood Revitalization Plan and the municipalities within the county believe there is evidence to justify including the entire county as a Neighborhood Revitalization area.  The concern is from an Attorney General Opinion 96-38 which states that an entire municipality cannot be designated as a Neighborhood Revitalization area.  Mr. Eisenhauer stated HB2470 solves the problem by providing small municipalities local control to legally designate the entire municipality as a neighborhood revitalization area.  (Attachment 2)

Mr. Eisenhauer stood for questions from Committee members.

Proponent written only testimony for HB2470 was submitted by the following:

J. W. Wells, Ag Division Coordinator & Government Relations Assistant, Kansas Bankers Association, (Attachment 3)

Jay Hall, Deputy Director and General Counsel, Kansas Association of Counties, (Attachment 4)

Spencer Duncan, Government Affairs Director, League of Kansas Municipalities, (Attachment 5)

There was no opponent or neutral testimony submitted for HB2470.

Chairperson Smith closed the hearing for HB2470 and adjourned the meeting.