A provision in Kansas's new sports authority bill eliminates the government's power to seize your retail property for certain development projects.
Most Kansas retail property owners don't realize that until recently, cities and counties could force the sale of their business location to make room for certain development projects—with minimal local oversight. A provision buried in HB2466, the Kansas Sports Authority Act, changes that calculus entirely.
HB2466, signed into law and effective upon publication in the Kansas Register, added a critical protection: cities and counties are now banned from using eminent domain to acquire property within or adjacent to STAR bond project districts.
STAR bonds (Sales Tax and Revenue bonds) are a financing tool that allows municipalities to fund major development projects—including amusement parks and related infrastructure—by capturing future sales tax revenue. Before this change, a city or county could condemn private property in these districts by a simple 2/3 vote of the governing body. That meant a retail owner could lose their property and business location with limited recourse.
Now, that power is gone. Property owners in or near STAR bond project areas have explicit legal protection against forced acquisition.
If you own retail property in Kansas and your location falls within or borders a designated STAR bond project district, this provision directly protects your ownership rights. You cannot be forced to sell your property to the government to make way for the project.
This matters most in communities where STAR bonds have been approved or are under consideration for major amusement park development or similar large-scale projects.
Property ownership is foundational to retail operations. Loss of location means loss of customer relationships, established foot traffic, and years of business investment. Previously, a retail owner in a STAR bond district faced genuine financial risk: the government could legally seize the property if a 2/3 supermajority voted to do so.
This provision eliminates that threat. You now have certainty that your property cannot be taken for STAR bond project purposes, regardless of how local officials vote. That certainty matters when you're making decisions about lease terms, renovations, inventory investment, or long-term planning.
The provision appears in Section 14 of HB2466, on Page 27. It became effective upon publication in the Kansas Register. The language is straightforward: eminent domain authority is explicitly prohibited for STAR bond projects in major amusement park areas.
If you operate in a community with an active or proposed STAR bond project, it's worth confirming whether your property falls within the protected zone. The specifics of district boundaries are determined locally, so checking with your city or county planning office will give you clarity on your exact status.
For a detailed, business-specific summary of HB2466 and other provisions affecting Kansas retail property, contact your local chamber of commerce or retail trade association.