Kansas House pass Sports Authority bill; proposal moves to Senate

The Kansas House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a bill creating a new Kansas Sports Authority, a key step in the state’s effort to potentially bring the Kansas City Chiefs across the state line.The proposal now heads to the Kansas Senate for consideration.The bill would establish a governing body to oversee the planning, financing and long-term management of a professional football stadium and surrounding development. Lawmakers say the authority would help structure and monitor a deal that could involve billions of dollars in investment, particularly in Wyandotte County.During floor debate, supporters framed the measure as a way to add oversight — not to approve a specific stadium deal.“This is simply a very limited, transparent governing body overseeing the deal that already is done,” said Rep. Sean Tarwater, R-Stilwell. “This does not provide any additional tax breaks or any property tax handouts. This is just our opportunity to put guardrails on it and have oversight on this project.”Tarwater also spoke on the potential economic impact.“Four billion dollars will be spent in one of the poorest communities in the state of Kansas,” he said. “We’re talking about 20,000 careers here.”Before final passage, lawmakers adopted an amendment that would give the mayors of Kansas City, Kansas, and Olathe voting seats on the authority’s board.Rep. Timothy Johnson, R-Basehor, who introduced the amendment, said local leaders should have a direct role in decisions.“The representatives of those two cities deserve a voting seat at the table,” Johnson said. “That’s the way it should be. They are making all of the changes and supporting their communities. They need to be voting members.”Another amendment clarified the authority would be subject to Kansas open meetings and open records laws.Some lawmakers raised concerns about public risk, transparency and potential impacts on taxpayers.Rep. Alexis Simmons, D-Topeka, pointed to concerns about team ownership influence.“Jackson County said they were tired of subsidizing it,” Simmons said. “I support the people having a voice at the table.”She added, “I don’t support this at all… the Hunt family would have a longer and more aggressive voice at the table. They would be the only owner to have a voting voice at the table in the financing decision.”Rep. Henry Helgerson, D-Eastborough, questioned whether the state could afford the risk without clearer guarantees.“If it’s not 100 percent (guaranteed to succeed), you don’t gamble the future of this state,” Helgerson said. “You don’t gamble whether you’ll have the money available to take care of public education.”Rep. Ford Carr, D-Wichita, also warned about the potential impact on residents near a future stadium site.“These families are going to be at the point where their property taxes are going to rise,” Carr said. “Many of those are seniors on fixed incomes…and no one has come up with a plan to assist them.”

TOPEKA, Kan. —

The Kansas House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a bill creating a new Kansas Sports Authority, a key step in the state’s effort to potentially bring the Kansas City Chiefs across the state line.

The proposal now heads to the Kansas Senate for consideration.

The bill would establish a governing body to oversee the planning, financing and long-term management of a professional football stadium and surrounding development.

Lawmakers say the authority would help structure and monitor a deal that could involve billions of dollars in investment, particularly in Wyandotte County.

During floor debate, supporters framed the measure as a way to add oversight — not to approve a specific stadium deal.

“This is simply a very limited, transparent governing body overseeing the deal that already is done,” said Rep. Sean Tarwater, R-Stilwell. “This does not provide any additional tax breaks or any property tax handouts. This is just our opportunity to put guardrails on it and have oversight on this project.”

Tarwater also spoke on the potential economic impact.

“Four billion dollars will be spent in one of the poorest communities in the state of Kansas,” he said. “We’re talking about 20,000 careers here.”

Before final passage, lawmakers adopted an amendment that would give the mayors of Kansas City, Kansas, and Olathe voting seats on the authority’s board.

Rep. Timothy Johnson, R-Basehor, who introduced the amendment, said local leaders should have a direct role in decisions.

“The representatives of those two cities deserve a voting seat at the table,” Johnson said. “That’s the way it should be. They are making all of the changes and supporting their communities. They need to be voting members.”

Another amendment clarified the authority would be subject to Kansas open meetings and open records laws.

Some lawmakers raised concerns about public risk, transparency and potential impacts on taxpayers.

Rep. Alexis Simmons, D-Topeka, pointed to concerns about team ownership influence.

“Jackson County said they were tired of subsidizing it,” Simmons said. “I support the people having a voice at the table.”

She added, “I don’t support this at all… the Hunt family would have a longer and more aggressive voice at the table. They would be the only owner to have a voting voice at the table in the financing decision.”

Rep. Henry Helgerson, D-Eastborough, questioned whether the state could afford the risk without clearer guarantees.

“If it’s not 100 percent (guaranteed to succeed), you don’t gamble the future of this state,” Helgerson said. “You don’t gamble whether you’ll have the money available to take care of public education.”

Rep. Ford Carr, D-Wichita, also warned about the potential impact on residents near a future stadium site.

“These families are going to be at the point where their property taxes are going to rise,” Carr said. “Many of those are seniors on fixed incomes…and no one has come up with a plan to assist them.”