[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6330211,"mediaKeyId","2314991-df239f100bc990ac4249eafa66f8ff24","parentId",2314991,"title","Committee passes bill to remove degree requirements from state hiring; strips Civil Service Board appeal provisions","audioSeconds",582,"startMs",2014000,"endMs",2596000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2314991-df239f100bc990ac4249eafa66f8ff24&start=2014&end=2596","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2314991-df239f100bc990ac4249eafa66f8ff24/thumbnail_2014000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6330211/Kansas/Committee-passes-bill-to-remove-degree-requirements-from-state-hiring-strips-Civil-Service-Board-appeal-provisions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6330211-c474db6dd472b71c746065d47439244d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770854799&Signature=o3szcbDP5M1mtY9UH5OG63UK47BiuSelyaVd1Xd3zhDbq1nudUV8hOmH~3dQoYkdnOoVdnbjQOSGMkzYKRa88x~ebr3IJtS7hNs~qhHrYb3EdK~ykTkWre1lMOw8p0sbGx5NXF1taElpC-CN5c8HDJiWJdiHYqwdPhGeEHOKwhXqhCkW2DCVaveuE6PPNHE5fusVTEzxBnMGfF7Yi4xxElPIT2MamqpPiQq-DsSRqvc378CFB6XeqYsd-xZcuPCRyxWJM~ZszUqDbt4ayniDb-L0aI7FgMY-aZ-EM2t3mZeanquQQ83LHmpTHQmrepqKna4cjaU08PPtzC1Mbs9lOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kansas Legislature","date","2025-02-14T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 166 — titled in committee as the Fostering Competitive Career Opportunities Act — was amended and passed out of committee. The bill removes postsecondary degree requirements from consideration in state hiring practices for most positions, while excluding the Judicial Branch, the Legislative Branch and political appointees. Committee members adopted an amendment that deleted sections creating a Civil Service Board cause of action and related appeal procedures.

Proponents said the change could broaden the applicant pool and reduce barriers that exclude candidates with substantive work experience but without degrees. Opponents cautioned that the legislature should not become the routine arbiter of human resources decisions, warned of potential increases in litigation or claims against the state if hiring disputes rise, and suggested studying state hiring practices further (including via an interim review) before making broad structural changes.

An amendment offered on the bill removed provisions that would have increased duties or created an appeal path through the Civil Service Board; the senator offering the amendment said the change was intended to avoid putting those additional duties on the civil service board while preserving the bill’s intent to broaden applicant access. The amendment was moved, seconded, and approved. The committee then voted to pass SB166 as amended out of committee.

Committee members also noted that Legislative Post Audit and the Board of Regents had provided input on state hiring practices; some members urged additional study or an interim review to address implementation details and litigation risk before broader statewide implementation.

Why it matters: Removing degree requirements can widen the candidate pool for state jobs and affect hiring practices statewide; deleting the Civil Service Board appeal route narrows potential legal remedies and was a key change adopted by the committee.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Committee on Commerce 02/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 166, which removes postsecondary degree requirements from most state hiring considerations, was amended to strip proposed Civil Service Board appeal provisions and was reported favorably out of committee.","taxTitle","Commerce, Standing, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Kansas","taxId",20437,"location","Kansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6330221,"Committee approves amendment to extend Star Bonds sunset, debates expanding program to redevelop vacant malls and transparency reforms",560,28000,588000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2314991-df239f100bc990ac4249eafa66f8ff24&start=28&end=588","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2314991-df239f100bc990ac4249eafa66f8ff24/thumbnail_28000.jpg","/articles/6330221/Kansas/Committee-approves-amendment-to-extend-Star-Bonds-sunset-debates-expanding-program-to-redevelop-vacant-malls-and-transparency-reforms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6330221-f28876c251b169f8c15d2224c21733d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770854799&Signature=oNG5TZyWNQZ5QJHVdjeBcFv688yL82d-MqzI0E1otj6GUCVDdiVP7adjga28ulitt7WlUNlkhJBdPvxo2GP0qDwTBWQpORMwjOm~ODw9K3hpH995D9hsDBUtl5OEass-3Ku3EDGqQ2OnadeU50R-EhY1yClxeAIykUmqs7vA~19talOkuCGaOn84ESXQ7BUGKJUY-H~bneVEPmqSCklE-dwWltHi3DblVN2eKc5ZBYlXuHxl62BMNcjImEhv344xRZOmVtUHzOgChlE7s1p2d3WPeHGWH3pcEMyrHsgsNuCMhjCWLdwZ6qg5oFXHA8L6aiQR59HjDtKj9sbJSEIwng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a committee hearing, senators considered changes to the Star Bonds Financing Act, including an extension of the program’s sunset date to July 1, 2030, an amendment to allow redevelopment of certain dilapidated mall sites using Star Bond incentives, and a separate substitute package of transparency and limit provisions. The committee approved the mall‑redevelopment amendment and voted to divide and further study a broader set of proposed transparency and eminent‑domain restrictions, postponing some action until a follow‑up meeting on Monday.

The amendment approved in committee would extend the current Star Bonds sunset to 07/01/2030 and add eligibility for redevelopment projects converting certain dilapidated mall facilities into Star Bond projects. Under the amendment’s terms described to the panel, an eligible mall project must have at least 50% of its leasable area unoccupied and a minimum combined capital investment of $10,000,000; projects must also “demonstrate a substantial contribution to regional economic growth, tourism, and job creation,” consistent with the Star Bonds program’s economic‑development and tourism purposes.

Committee members debated the scope of the mall language. Senator Titus asked whether limiting the provision to malls — rather than including other large, vacant structures such as schools — was appropriate; the amendment sponsor said those other building types were not included in the current language but that the idea could be expanded on the Senate floor. Senator Owens asked whether Department of Commerce approval remains required for Star Bond projects; committee discussion confirmed Department of Commerce review and approval remain part of the process.

A separate substitute amendment, described to the committee as drawing from testimony by Americans for Prosperity, would break several policy changes into discrete items. The substitute’s provisions as presented include: eliminating the authority for a state or municipality to use eminent domain specifically for creating Star Bond districts; requiring all documents used to consider Star Bond approval to be posted on the Kansas Department of Commerce website within 30 days of municipal approval; requiring municipalities to notify residents of Star Bond approvals and to disclose increment revenue collected, sales tax revenue foregone (in dollars) and estimated municipal tax reduction; requiring the Department of Commerce to show sales tax foregone associated with pending and approved Star Bond projects on its website; requiring entities within a Star Bond district to report visitor ZIP codes quarterly with public posting; disallowing state general funds or federal revenues to be used to repay Star Bonds; and prohibiting Star Bond increment revenue from being used to fund subsequent Star Bond projects.

Committee members asked procedural and legal questions about the eminent‑domain proposal. The Legislative Research Department told the committee it had a 2014 memo noting use of eminent domain in building a racetrack project in Wyandotte County and cited a court decision — recorded in the hearing as Thomasick v. Unified Government of Wyandotte County — that upheld use of special‑obligation sales tax bonds and eminent domain for that project. Members said they needed more legal and factual background before voting on the substitute’s components.

Committee procedure: members voted to divide the substitute into separate amendment bullets so each could be considered on its own. The committee then agreed to take the separate bullets up individually and asked staff and advisors to prepare summaries and additional information. Senators requested the Kansas Department of Commerce provide visitor data that had been requested prior to the hearing. The committee postponed further action on the substitute package and scheduled follow‑up consideration for Monday at 1:30 p.m.

Why it matters: Star Bonds are a state‑authorized tool that uses sales tax increment financing to encourage large economic development and tourism projects. Changes that expand eligible project types, restrict eminent domain authority, or increase transparency about foregone sales tax would affect how local governments, developers and taxpayers experience and evaluate Star Bond projects.

Committee directions and next steps included asking Legislative Research and Department of Commerce staff for briefing material on the proposed changes and visitor‑data follow‑up. The committee scheduled continued consideration of Star Bonds items (including SB197) at its next meeting.","At a committee hearing, senators considered changes to the Star Bonds Financing Act, including an extension of the program’s sunset date to July 1, 2030, an amendment to allow redevelopment of certain dilapidated mall sites using Star Bond incentives, and a separate substitute package of transparency and eminent‑domain restrictions.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6330216,"Senate committee advances changes to historic rehabilitation tax credit; adds townships and unincorporated areas",96,1321000,1417000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2314991-df239f100bc990ac4249eafa66f8ff24&start=1321&end=1417","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2314991-df239f100bc990ac4249eafa66f8ff24/thumbnail_1321000.jpg","/articles/6330216/Kansas/Senate-committee-advances-changes-to-historic-rehabilitation-tax-credit-adds-townships-and-unincorporated-areas","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6330216-cddc51ed1daf1c1fa9900c2dd7095d8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770854799&Signature=gSqpWjXImQMyqrMZKxL8swg11D~NNV9Ja5PDlAse3fVb1f-EfqEVGsyiyQ3nJHJctdTlgVbdlR4T9-8UiW5C0j7Mz2uxdls4w6vglRoqcO6stOw12RheRLCjVuuVUTM5kYxX0vzLf1OcbYbiKFPp7HMJK~X4hSD6KG7CWhiEWTJRqB2O41~1gLr26dknGujb3vmO0C6HCLxvlkW7g0wBWXJPxeBLlfE4VkVCabINyHGPGJa~M6Hl6Cp28NWQsQ0Ke91M0a6EFdPSiVusDDZNRqy2FCGqfkZ8OF14iqvN~7Cv4aCiz-LvC-FoEH0AfMGeZdwDyAA6l1PXJO3jc9HWVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee voted to pass Senate Bill 227 as amended, a bill that revises the rehabilitation tax credit for qualified historic structures. The amendments clarify which populations and geographic areas are eligible for different credit percentages and set an effective date for the changes.

Under the bill’s changes as described to the committee, the 25% credit would apply to qualified rehabilitation expenditures between $5,000 and less than $50,000 in cities with populations greater than 50,000. A 40% credit would apply to expenditures of $50,000 or more in cities with populations greater than 50,000. The prior 40% credit for smaller cities remains in place for cities with populations of 50,000 or less. The amendment adopted during the hearing added townships and unincorporated areas to the lower‑population category to ensure those areas were not excluded from the higher credit percentage intended for smaller jurisdictions.

The amendment also clarifies the effective date: the changes to tax credits apply to qualified rehabilitation projects placed into service on or after July 1, 2025. Committee members noted that rules and standards for rehabilitation would be adopted by the Executive Director of the State Historical Society to ensure projects meet preservation standards.

Senator Dietrich introduced the amendment and moved it; Senator Titus seconded. The amendment was adopted by the committee and the full bill, as amended, was reported favorably for passage.

Why it matters: Altering credit percentages and explicitly including townships and unincorporated areas can affect the financial incentives available for restoring historic properties in rural and small‑city areas, potentially increasing preservation activity outside larger cities.","The committee approved Senate Bill 227 with an amendment that adjusts credit percentages by city population and expenditure tiers, extends higher credit rates for certain nonprofit properties, and adds townships and unincorporated areas to the lowest population tier; the bill was passed out of committee as amended.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee passes bill to remove degree requirements from state hiring; strips Civil Service Board appeal provisions

Committee approves amendment to extend Star Bonds sunset, debates expanding program to redevelop vacant malls and transparency reforms

Senate committee advances changes to historic rehabilitation tax credit; adds townships and unincorporated areas