Kansas lawmakers are considering an economic development package aimed at luring the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, or professional hockey or basketball teams to the state.
The legislation would limit state incentives to sports facility projects costing over $1 billion, with the Department of Commerce authorized to negotiate with up to two teams. Bonds issued for the projects could be used for all costs associated with stadiums and infrastructure, repayable over 30 years. The incentive packages would be available until June 2025, with the option to extend for one year.
Rep. Sean Tarwater, chairman of the House commerce committee, emphasized the importance of acting quickly, saying, “We want to send a positive message to the sports community that we’re serious about this.”
A bipartisan team of negotiators from the House and Senate are considering the proposal, which would be amended into House Bill 2663. The bill would require majorities in both chambers to pass before being sent to Gov. Laura Kelly.
Sen. Renee Erickson, chair of the Senate’s commerce committee, noted, “We see an incredible opportunity to put Kansas on the map with professional sports, but there’s a lot to digest in this bill.”
The 2024 Legislature is expected to wrap up the session soon, but could be called back for a special session if necessary.
The move comes after Jackson County, Missouri, voters rejected a sales tax measure to fund a downtown Kansas City stadium for the Royals and renovations at Arrowhead Stadium, used by the Chiefs.
Tarwater said, “We want to make sure we’re in a position to do a scoop-and-score since Jackson County dropped the ball.”
He emphasized that no Kansas residents would be asked to approve a sales tax increase for the professional sports facilities, instead using “tomorrow’s money” from sales and liquor tax revenue generated by the developments.
