Brief ⁽¹⁾

HB 2408, as amended, makes changes in laws relating to the Blue Valley Recreation Commission (BVRC) appointed by Blue Valley (USD 229) and to recreation commissions generally.

KSA 2000 Supp. 12-1927 is amended to authorize a protest petition election on the question of revoking the authority of the BVRC. Current law allows this procedure for all recreation commissions except the BVRC. In the event the BVRC were to be dissolved, the property tax levy being used for the payment of debt and other obligations authorized by the last budget would remain in force until the debts and obligations are paid in full.

Another amendment gives all recreation commissions the authority to acquire sites and construct, equip, repair, remodel, and refurbish improvements for recreation system purposes. In this connection, the separate authority for the BVRC capital improvement fund and levy is repealed.

Background

A number of the current statutory provisions relating specifically to the BVRC were enacted in 1994.

Representative Merrick appeared in support of the bill. The House Committee amendments also were suggested by Representative Merrick.

House Committee of the Whole amendments included the language clarifying that levies would continue under certain circumstances upon dissolution of the BVRC and the provisions prohibiting use of general fund property tax revenues for capital improvements and requiring that such improvements be funded solely through the capital improvements levy.

The Senate Committee on Education amendments mainly extended to other recreation commissions the authority conferred only upon the BVRC to acquire and improve property and, in connection therewith, repealed BVRC's separate capital outlay levying authority.

1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/fulltext.cgi