Kansas Legislature Wraps Regular Session, Property Tax Debate Continues

The contents of this blog come from an interview with Kansas Senate President, Ty Masterson.

Senator Masterson - April 3

7:57

As the regular legislative session comes to a close, lawmakers are turning their attention to veto session and unfinished priorities—most notably property tax reform. During a recent conversation with Ty Masterson, several key policy updates and priorities for Kansas residents were discussed, ranging from agriculture protections to the state budget and housing affordability.

Key Bills Cross the Finish Line

Lawmakers wrapped up roughly 95 percent of their legislative work before adjourning last week, with several bills expected to be signed into law.

One measure particularly relevant to rural Kansas increases penalties for cattle and grain theft—an issue that continues to impact producers and rural communities. Strengthening these penalties aims to deter criminal activity and better protect agricultural assets.

Additional legislation passed during the session included:

• Veterans preference for government jobs, expanding employment opportunities for those who have served.

• The Halo Act, establishing a 25-foot safety perimeter around law enforcement officers during active situations while still protecting individuals’ right to protest.

• Policies designed to protect First Amendment rights on college campuses.

• Housing initiatives focused on improving affordability for young families and helping seniors on fixed incomes remain in their homes.

Housing affordability remains a significant concern, particularly in rural communities where workforce retention and population stability depend heavily on access to attainable housing.

Property Taxes Remain Top Priority

Despite progress on many issues, property tax reform remains unresolved and will likely be a central focus when lawmakers return for veto session.

According to Masterson, the legislature is pursuing a two-pronged approach to address rising property taxes.

The first component involves placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would allow voters to cap increases in property assessments. Currently, Kansas law does not give the legislature authority to limit how much assessed property values can rise year to year.

Many homeowners have seen property valuations increase by 20 to 30 percent in recent years, resulting in higher tax bills—even if the property has not been sold.

The second component focuses on limiting revenue growth by local governments. Without this measure, even if property value increases are capped, local entities could raise mill levies to generate additional revenue.

The challenge now lies in reaching agreement between the House and Senate on the exact details of the proposed cap. Any constitutional amendment would ultimately be decided by Kansas voters.

Lawmakers say the goal is straightforward:provide relief from sharp tax increases while still allowing responsible growth in local government funding.

State Budget Focuses on Education and Fiscal Discipline

Another major responsibility of the legislature is passing the state budget, which has now been approved and sent to the governor for review. The governor has the authority to issue line-item vetoes, meaning specific spending items can be removed without rejecting the entire budget.

As in previous years, K–12 education remains the largest funding priority in Kansas. State law currently requires annual increases tied to inflation, and this year’s budget includes approximately $160 million in additional funding for schools.

Human services programs, including Medicaid, also continue to represent a significant portion of state spending due to rising caseloads.

At the same time, lawmakers worked to reduce overall spending as pandemic-era funding winds down.

Key budget highlights include:

• Continued investment in K–12 education

• Funding for human services and healthcare programs

• Approximately $180 million reduction in spending compared to the previous year

• Efforts to align spending with post-pandemic economic conditions

Officials say balancing tax cuts with responsible spending reductions is essential as the state transitions away from temporary federal stimulus funding and adjusts to ongoing inflation.

Looking Ahead to Veto Session

While the regular session has concluded, the legislative process is not finished. Lawmakers will return to Topeka for veto session to review any vetoed bills, consider overrides, and finalize remaining policy decisions—particularly those related to property tax relief.