Legislative Update by State Senator Caryn Tyson
March 10, 2023
Property Tax is on many Kansans minds as the valuation notices were recently mailed. Many will be protesting the increase. The directions for protest are on the valuation letter. Previously when property evaluations were increased your property taxes automatically increased – not anymore. In 2021, the legislature expanded Truth in Taxation for property taxes by establishing policy that local governments have to notify taxpayers and vote before they can collect a dollar more than the previous year, i.e. go above the Revenue Neutral Rate, sometimes referred to as Senate Bill (SB) 13. It keeps the property taxes revenue neutral, the same as last year. The Revenue Neutral Rate notice is a letter mailed by the County Clerk between August 20 and September 20, which includes the date, time, and location local governments will be voting on any proposed property tax increase. Property owners should show up at these meetings and hold the government responsible for tax increases.
The Property Valuation Department will be testifying in the Senate Tax Committee next week to investigate what is happening with property valuations in Kansas. There has to be a better way.
Exempting Sales Tax on manufacturer coupons passed the Senate unanimously. In Kansas, when a person uses a manufacturer coupon sales tax is charged on the entire purchase, including the coupon amount. SB 53 would exempt the coupon amount from sales tax.
Fairness in Women’s Sports passed the Senate 28 to 11. The bill establishes that only biological females could participate in women’s sports. Since it was a House Bill (HB), 2238, and there were no amendments by the Senate, it was sent to the Governor. Hopefully, she will not veto the bill as she has for the past two years.
Kansas Attorney General would be authorized to prosecute any alleged crime that occurs in two or more counties. It passed the Senate 35 to 3.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.
Caryn
