Kansas lawmakers move forward hoping to ‘scoop and score’ Chiefs, Royals

TOPEKA, Kan. (KCTV) - Kansas lawmakers jump to action just days after hearing the Kansas City Chiefs are considering building a new stadium.

Members of the Conference Committee on Senate and House Commerce called a meeting Monday, April 29. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a House Bill that would change certain criteria needed to qualify for STAR Bonds. The state hopes to use STAR Bonds as an incentive to lure professional sports teams to the state.

Monday evening, the Senate said they were comfortable with the language surrounding the STAR bonds.

The offer is open to any NFL, MLB, NBA, or NHL franchise -- but specifically targets the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals.

“We’ve been working on some sort of solution for sometime now, without their [Chiefs and Royals] involvement. Just want to make sure we have the right plan when the time is right for us to start those negotiations. According to an article from this weekend it looks like that process is starting,” Rep. Sean Tarwater, (R-Stillwell) said.

READ MORE: Kansas City Chiefs considering new stadium following failed tax vote

The bill also requires any pro sports team development to include a 30,000 seat, or larger, complex and come with at least $1 billion dollars in investment.

If approved, the state could approve STAR Bonds for two projects, and 100% of the project could be financed for 30 years. Other projects that receive STAR Bonds are only allowed a 50-50 finance, according to Tarwater.

Because of the size of buildings a pro sports franchise would need in Kansas, the bill allows a team to build a stadium or arena in one location and practice facilities in another location, but use STAR Bonds for both developments.

The bonds will not increase current taxes for citizens, according to the House members on the committee.

“No Kansan will be asked to pay any more tax than they already are. There won’t be a vote on sales tax because of this bill. This bill can happen either way. We are using tomorrow’s money to pay... and it’s tomorrow’s money that we wouldn’t otherwise receive because these structures will bring in the business and cause development around them, and the sales tax from those is what funds these bonds,” Tarwater said.

READ MORE: Jackson County talks future of Chiefs & Royals stadiums

If passed, the bill expires on June 30, 2025. The State Finance Committee has the option to extend the bill for one year.

Kansas City Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said Saturday that the organization hadn’t talked to leaders in Kansas about a move. He also said the team was assessing all options, including a new Arrowhead Stadium.

That means the Chiefs could eventually at least talk to Kansas lawmakers about the possibility of building a new stadium on the Kansas side of the state line.

“We want to make sure that since Jackson County dropped the ball here, that we’re in a position to do a scoop and score,” Tarwater said.

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The Senate members of the committee asked for 90 minutes to review the changes.

The meeting is available to watch on YouTube.