TOPEKA, Kan. (KCTV) — Kansas lawmakers heard testimony Tuesday on a bill that would create a sports authority to oversee public ownership of a new Kansas City Chiefs stadium and facilities, as local leaders pushed for voting representation on the proposed oversight board.
The legislation
On Friday, Stilwell Republican Rep. Sean Tarwater introduced a bill in the Kansas House to establish the Kansas Sports Facilities Authority.
In December, the Kansas City Chiefs announced the team will be moving by the 2031 season. They plan to build the new domed stadium in Kansas City, Kansas, and the new team headquarters and practice facility in Olathe.
To bring the Chiefs to Kansas, the State and team are looking to have this be a publicly owned stadium in KCK and other facilities in Olathe.
The Chiefs, a lobbyist group called Scoop and Score, the Kansas Department of Commerce, Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, the Working Kansas Alliance, Kansas Chamber, Kansas State High School Activities Association, and the Kansas Speedway all showed support for the bill.
Two residents showed opposition, stating their concern for taxpayers and worries about this costing them in the long run.
The bill proposes creating a nine-member governing board of eight appointed members:
GovernorHouse SpeakerHouse Majority LeaderHouse Minority LeaderSenate President Senate Majority Leader Senate Minority LeaderTeam
The Secretary of Commerce serves by virtue of holding office.
Push for local input
There are also plans to have the Mayors of Olathe and Kansas City, Kansas, serve on the board since their cities are pledging local sales tax to the projects. But, they would be nonvoting members, something some felt needs to change.
“We hope that you would consider thinking about the Mayors and our participation. Representation is not valid if we have no vote. So it would be important for us to be able to have that seat. But we are looking forward to working with you,” said Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor Christal Watson.
“We ask that the mayors of the city who make their local sales tax increment pledge become voting members of the authority. Since both municipalities will have facilities for the sports teams in their community, we believe it’s reasonable that they have voting privileges,” said Kansas Department of Commerce Director of Legislative Affairs, Rachel Willis.
This bill, if passed, would give the authority the standard powers to acquire, hold, lease, sell, or dispose of property. It also includes property tax exemption language.
President of the Kansas Speedway, Patrick Warren, asked that the committee extend the offer to the Speedway and Sporting Kansas City to be a part of the authority.
The Kansas House Commerce Committee is set to meet about the bill again on Wednesday.
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