Chairperson Smith opened the hearing for HB2782.

Adam Siebers provided an overview for HB2782. (Attachment 12)

Mr. Siebers stood for questions from the Committee.

Chairperson Smith noted that HB2782 has no fiscal effect on state property tax revenues or its operations.

Proponents:

Representative Hoffman, District 116, testified as a proponent for HB2782 that would provide appraisers more tools to accurately classify rural land all around the state.  Representative Hoffman clarified that the Committee may want to add an amendment to clarify this is on agriculture rural land.  HB2782 will allow the appraiser to ask for a lease to prove agriculture use in the event the reclassification is challenged by someone who is not working the land themselves and not renting it out to anyone to work it in agriculture production. He noted the issue is there has been an influx of out-of-state buyers, many of them hunting enthusiasts, coming into communities and buying farmland and pasture land at prices that the locals cannot compete with causing a sizable shift in land ownership and use.(Attachment 13)

John Donley, Kansas Farm Bureau testified as a proponent for HB2782 to allow county appraisers to require documentation to verify properties in question are being used for agricultural use. (Attachment 14)

Mark Lohrding, Lohrding Three Bar Ranch, testified by Webex as a proponent for HB2782 noting Agricultural based property tax should only apply to agricultural use properties.  The land is purchased at inflated prices and taken out of agricultural production while still being able to pay property tax at the Ag rate. (Attachment 15)

Aaron Popelka, Kansas Livestock Association, testified as a proponent for HB2782 stating they support the bill but there are details the Committee should address when taking action on the bill listed in his testimony.  (Attachment 16)

The conferee stood for questions from the Committee.

Written proponent testimony for HB2782 was submitted by Steve Schurle, Kansas County Appraisers Association. (Attachment 17)

There being no opponent or neutral conferees, Chairperson Smith closed the hearing for HB2782.