2023 Legislative Priorities
Protecting Private Property Rights
REALTORS® believe in the fundamental right of all private property owners working through local governments to determine the highest and best use of their land. Further, we maintain that every citizen should have the right to acquire real property with the confidence and certainty that the value of such property will not be unreasonably diminished by governmental action at any level without just compensation or the owner’s express consent.
REALTORS® support legislation that prevents local governments from placing additional fees and regulations on home ownership in the form of vacant property registration ordinances. Placing financial penalties on properties that are free of nuisances but simply vacant, interferes with the rights of property owners.
Property Tax Relief & Reform
REALTORS® believe real estate is burdened with an excessive share of the increasing cost of state and local government. While REALTORS® realize the importance of many programs funded through property tax revenues, we believe tax revenues should be equitably collected from a variety of sources and encourage taxing jurisdictions to consider the negative impact to the housing market and the economy associated with increases in property taxes.
REALTORS® support legislation that gives citizens a greater voice in the decisions impacting their tax burden as well as making the property tax system more honest, transparent and accountable.
Increasing Access to Homeownership
As REALTORS®, we reaffirm the goal of “a decent home and a suitable living environment for every family.” REALTORS® are committed to helping every single Kansan who so desires to realize the America Dream of homeownership. Increasing access to homeownership should also be a goal for the State of Kansas. Simply put, we need more housing to support the needs of our current and future workforce. A shortage of quality housing is an undeniable barrier to economic growth and development in any community, particularly those in rural areas.
REALTORS® support legislation that further expands the Rural Housing Incentive District program and provide additional tools that build off the important housing policy and financial investments that passed in 2022.
Providing KREC With Tools to Address Unlicensed Activities
The State of Kansas has a long history of licensing individuals that represent the interests of those buying or selling real estate. This serves as an important protection for consumers by providing a framework for competently handling real estate transactions. Significant consequences exist for licensed real estate salespersons and brokers that do not follow the law or misrepresent the interests of their clients. Unlicensed persons should not be allowed to engage in practices that would otherwise require a license.
REALTORS® support legislation that provides the Kansas Real Estate Commission with reasonable powers to fully investigate and when necessary, protect consumers by halting services performed by unlicensed persons.