The bill aims to enhance economic development through modifications to the STAR bonds financing act, particularly focusing on the redevelopment of mall facilities and the establishment of STAR bond projects. It authorizes the unified government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, to create a port authority and sets visitor origin requirements for these projects, mandating the Secretary of Commerce to enforce compliance and ensure public access to information about STAR bond projects. The bill prohibits the use of state general fund moneys for repaying special obligation bonds related to STAR bond projects and restricts the use of eminent domain by cities or counties for these initiatives. Additionally, it extends the expiration date of the STAR bonds financing act to July 1, 2031, and introduces new reporting requirements for tracking business movement and local sales tax revenues.

Significant amendments include clarifying the definitions and eligibility criteria for STAR bond projects, allowing for the classification of large metropolitan and rural mall projects, and establishing a new application deadline for rural mall projects with sports or entertainment components. The bill streamlines the approval process by allowing the Secretary of Commerce to independently establish STAR bond project districts without public hearings or local government participation. It also introduces a new administrative fee structure for project oversight and emphasizes the importance of public transparency, requiring project plans and feasibility studies to be made available for public inspection. Notably, the bill deletes the ability for cities or counties to exercise eminent domain for STAR bond projects, replacing it with a prohibition against such actions, while enhancing accountability in the management of STAR bond projects.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 12-17
Sub: 12-17
{As Amended by Senate Committee of the Whole}: 12-17
H Sub for: 12-17, 79-3201, 12-3402
As Amended by House Committee: 12-17, 79-3201, 12-3402
{As Amended by House Committee of the Whole}: 12-17, 79-3201, 12-3402