Kansas Chamber | 2023 Legislative & Policy Priorities
With headquarters in Topeka, the Kansas Chamber is the leading statewide, member- driven organization that serves as the most credible legislative voice for the Kansas business community at the statehouse. Its president and CEO, Alan Cobb, said it is a reputation the Chamber doesn’t take lightly.
“Kansas has seen improvement in some economic metrics. Our regulatory climate has improved, and our employment laws are among the best in the nation. Unfortunately, the work is not done.”
—Alan Cobb | President/CEO Kansas Chamber
“There is no other organization in the state focused on the laws, rules and regulations that impact a business’ operations like the Kansas Chamber,” Cobb said. “Regardless of the business sector or industry, what happens in Topeka at the Kansas Statehouse can help or hurt expansion and investment. The Chamber is there to stop the bad policy ideas and promote the good ones.”
The Chamber recently released its legislative and policy priorities in connection with the beginning of the 2023 legislative session in Topeka. The agenda’s priorities are based on the work of member working groups, months of conversations with business leaders across the state as well as research from the Chamber’s Annual Business Leaders Poll, Kansas Tax Modernization report, and the Kansas Competitiveness Analysis report.
“Kansas has seen improvement in some economic metrics. Our regulatory climate has improved, and our employment laws are among the best in the nation,” Cobb said. “Unfortunately, the work is not done. Actions taken by other states have made them more attractive to investment and to workers. We must act to become competitive.”
Pointing to examples of the challenges facing the state and its business community, Cobb said, “The lack of population growth continues to be a barrier for greater economic prosperity. And our legal climate has become favorable to the trial bar.”
Cobb said the Chamber’s 2023 agenda proposes how the state can address the challenges and seize on the opportunities before it. The agenda includes policy positions on numerous issues, but the Chamber will actively pursue about a dozen bills focused on five areas: taxes, workforce, legal reform, energy and regulations.
REDUCE THE TAX BURDEN
Tax revenues collected the last few years pushed Kansas’ annual receipts to record levels. The Chamber believes now is the time to further modernize the state’s tax codes to position our state to be regionally competitive and better attract investments and workforce.
The Chamber proposes replacing the state’s current multi-tier tax rates with a simple 5% rate for all taxpayers and businesses, exempting the first $15,000 in income.
Another tax bill to be introduced would grant corporations the choice between the current three-factor apportionment formula and a new, single-factor sales- based formula.
MEET WORKFORCE NEEDS
As we work to attract new businesses to Kansas and create a climate that encourages growth of existing entities, the strain on the state’s workforce will only get worse.
The Chamber will ask the Legislature to establish a new tax credit for employers who participate in the Kansas Registered Apprenticeship Program. Once thought of as a tool for unions to develop tradesmen, apprenticeships are great workforce solutions for small and larger employers, associations, and organizations across multiple industries and sectors.
The Chamber also will support policies to make childcare more affordable and accessible for Kansas workers by relaxing overly restrictive staff-to- child ratios and increasing childcare capacity across age groups.
ADOPT LEGAL REFORM
Kansas has become the 18th best state for trial lawyers as the state’s court system has eroded protections and expanded liability against businesses and individuals.
Requiring disclosure of third-party financing of litigation is among legal reform measures that the Chamber will seek during the session.
The Chamber also will support lowering pre- judgment interest rates to bring Kansas in line with other states as well as legislation that reinstates caps on non-economic damages.
IMPROVE ENERGY COSTS
Kansas is the largest producer of wind energy in the world. However, this low-cost source of energy has not resulted in savings for Kansas ratepayers. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Kansas continues to be the highest energy cost state in the region, making manufacturing and production of goods and materials expensive. Kansas must improve its energy costs to be more competitive.
The Chamber will support efforts to achieve regionally competitive electric rates and delivery costs as well as ensure uninterruptible service, regardless of the source of power.
STOP OVERREACHING REGULATIONS
Cities and counties across the country, and in Kansas, are banning legal consumer merchandise and household products. These patchwork policies create a compliance nightmare and put businesses outside city limits or in another county at a competitive advantage over those regulated by these restrictions.
The Chamber will introduce legislation prohibiting local governments from banning consumer merchandise and plastic containers.
Vice-President of Government Affairs Eric Stafford leads the Chamber’s efforts at the statehouse. He said it is imperative state lawmakers and the governor understand the impact their decisions have on the business community and the health of the state’s economy.
“Kansas is at a crucial point in its economic history,” Stafford said. “Overreaching, unnecessary laws and regulations can stop any progress. We look forward to working with the Kansas Legislature and Governor Laura Kelly on the issues important to the state’s business community so Kansas can become more competitive and a great state to do business.”
