Legislative Update Wk #13 - April 15, 2025
- Reily Goyne
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 17 hours ago
By Reily Goyne, AIA Kansas Advocacy Manager
General Statehouse Update
Legislators returned to the Statehouse on Thursday, April 10, for the Veto Session before adjourning Sine Die on Friday, April 11. Legislators overrode over a dozen vetoes and sent 13 more bills to the Governor.
This session, the legislature introduced 775 bills and resolutions. Of those, 95 were signed into law by Governor Laura Kelly, and eight others became laws without her signature.
Vetoes and Veto Overrides
Governor Kelly vetoed 18 bills this session. The Republican supermajority in both chambers overrode 14 of her vetoes, and four were sustained.
What’s next?
Over the summer and fall months, standing and special joint committees will meet to study key policy topics and make recommendations.
When the legislature reconvenes in January 2026, legislators can resume action on bills that did not pass in 2025 and were not killed or struck from the calendar. Bills that have advanced partway through the law-making process do not have to restart the process.
VICTORY! SB 227 Signed Into Law
Governor Laura Kelly signed SB 227 on Tuesday, April 8.
This bill expands the state's historic tax credit to 40% for all projects placed in service on or after July 1, 2025. Projects in cities with a population over 50,000 and Qualified Rehabilitation Expenses between $5,000 and $50,000 remain at the 25% tax credit. Before issuing the tax credit, the Kansas Department of Revenue will subtract any taxes owed to the state by the taxpayer applicant from the total amount and issue the remainder.
This is a significant win for historic preservation around the state because projects previously out of reach are now possible. The law becomes effective on July 1, 2025.
Kansas Affordable Housing Tax Credit Saved
The Kansas Affordable Housing Tax Credit will continue through December 31, 2028. After the House voted in February to kill the program after this year’s credit allocation (HB 2119), the House and Senate Commerce Conference Committee reached a compromise during the two-day veto session.
The Conference Committee amended the contents of HB 2119 into HB 2289 and agreed to cap the 2025 tax credit allocation at $25 million. The compromise discontinues the match to the 4% federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, caps the 9% match at $8.8 million in allocated credits each year, and sunsets the Credit on December 31, 2028.
The conference committee also included HB 2096, a technical fix to the Housing Investor Tax Credit, in HB 2289. This correction of the statute will allow tax credit buyers to use the credits in the year of the original cash investment rather than the year the credits were transferred.
On Friday, April 11, the Senate debated the Conference Committee Report on HB 2289 and passed it 33-7. Later that afternoon, the House passed it 98-23. It will take a few days to process and send the bill to the Governor, after which she will have ten days to act.
AIA Kansas worked with stakeholders and legislators to finalize the compromise in the last hours of the session and pass it successfully. Several legislators have also expressed interest in continuing the conversation during the summer to explore new solutions to address the housing crisis.
AIA National Asking Everyone To Spring Into Action!
AIA Advocacy Team Kicking Off Spring Into Action Campaign!
The AIA Advocacy team is working maximize the impact that AIA can have on policy outcomes, so they are ramping up engagement efforts in April and May. AIA is kicking off a Spring into Action campaign to encourage members to contact their members of Congress in any and every way–on the phone, online, or in person. This week, the focus is on tax policy as Congress makes decisions via the budget process. Members can call or email their Members of Congress to urge them to protect critical tax policies.
We're also asking that members share their stories. Here's what one member shared regarding the tax policies we're trying to protect:
"As a small business trying to survive in New York City, we compete directly with large, national and international firms. We rely on the existing R&D tax credit, 199A Pass-Through Deduction to maintain our razor-thin profit margin. These are literally the difference for us between profit and loss. Please keep them in place."
AIA will use these stories in advocacy to Congress. Your voice matters! Take action now.
Upcoming Learning Opportunities
Small Firm Exchange (SFx) Round Table Discussion
Please join us for the New Small Firm Exchange (SFx) Virtual Round Table Discussion with AIA Kansas National SFx Representative, Jared Hoke, AIA, NCARB and Principal/Owner of Hoke Ley Architecture. The discussion will be on February and March National AIA topics: Branding and Social Media.
April 16 at Noon - 1p.m. CST
Register here
Government Affairs Committee
If you are interested in joining this committee and staying on top of what is happening at the statehouse, please contact Reily Goyne.
April 18 at 10:00 AM
Register here for the virtual meeting
Cities and counties have advisory boards and commissions making decisions for their communities, and these groups are a great way to get involved in your community. Below is a list of boards with vacancies in the largest Kansas cities. Visit your city's website regularly to see any future openings, or email Reily Goyne if you would like assistance identifying opportunities.
Historic Resources Commission
Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Commission
Downtown Business Improvement District Advisory Board
Historic Resources Board
Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board
Board of Code Review
Board of Housing Commissioners
Historic Preservation Board
Public Art Committee
Affordable Housing Trust Fund Review Committee
Board of Zoning Appeals
Topeka Sustainability Advisory Board
Landmarks Commission
Board of Code Standards and Appeals
Delano Design Advisory Committee
Wichita/Sedgwick County Access Advisory Board
About AIA Kansas
AIA Kansas is a state chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
The organization provides services and programs to meet the professional development needs and interests of Kansas architects and to develop public awareness for the value of architects and architecture.
Our 700-plus members are leaders in building healthy, sustainable communities that will serve our citizens into the future.
www.aiaks.org | 785-357-5308 | info@aiaks.org
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