Kansas Lawmakers Pass Property Tax Protest Petition Bill, Stall on Valuation Cap

The new law allows voters to petition to roll back local government budgets, but a constitutional amendment to limit property value increases failed to advance.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 8:03pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of a government building or legislative chamber, with warm light streaming in through the windows and deep shadows casting across the scene, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and the weight of political decisions.As Kansas lawmakers grapple with rising property taxes, a new law gives voters a direct path to challenge local government budgets, but a proposed constitutional amendment to limit valuation increases remains elusive.Garden City Today

In a dramatic series of votes on Friday evening, the Kansas legislature passed a bill that would allow voters to petition to roll back local government budgets if spending increases by more than the previous year's level. However, lawmakers failed to advance a constitutional amendment that would have capped annual property value increases at 9% or less.

Why it matters

The new protest petition law gives Kansas taxpayers a direct path to challenge rising property taxes, which have been driven by soaring home values in recent years. But the failure to pass the valuation cap amendment means property owners may continue to face steep increases in their assessed values and corresponding tax bills.

The details

The protest petition bill that passed both chambers would require local governments to cut spending back to the previous year's level if at least 10% of registered voters in a jurisdiction sign a petition. The bill allows for annual budget increases of up to 3% or the Midwest Consumer Price Index. However, the proposed constitutional amendment to cap valuation increases at 9% or less failed to advance after lawmakers were unable to agree on the final language that would appear on the ballot.

  • The protest petition bill passed the Senate 22-18 and the House 63-59 on the last day of the legislative session.
  • Lawmakers will reconvene in two weeks for the veto session, where they will have another opportunity to reach an agreement on the property tax valuation cap amendment.

The players

Dan Hawkins

A Wichita Republican and the Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives, who is running for insurance commissioner.

Laura Kelly

The Democratic governor of Kansas, who will decide whether to sign, veto, or allow the protest petition bill to become law without her signature.

Bill Clifford

A Garden City Republican and former Finney County commissioner, who voted against the protest petition plan.

Tom Sawyer

The ranking Democrat on the Kansas House tax committee, who opposed the final version of the protest petition bill.

Ty Masterson

An Andover Republican who is the President of the Kansas Senate and is running for governor.

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What they’re saying

“This bill finally puts taxpayers in control. If local governments want to raise property taxes beyond reasonable limits, Kansans now have a direct path to step in and stop it.”

— Dan Hawkins, Kansas House Speaker

“What I see happening is a very activist, vocal minority will get this petition every single time on the school, on the community college, on the county, on the city — whether it's good policy or not.”

— Bill Clifford, Former Finney County Commissioner

“The Senate amendments made the bill 'too harsh on cities,' he said, pointing to the elimination of a provision that would have allowed local governments to tax construction and new growth without impacting their spending limit.”

— Tom Sawyer, Ranking Democrat on Kansas House Tax Committee

What’s next

The protest petition bill now goes to Governor Laura Kelly, who will decide whether to sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without her signature. Lawmakers will also have another opportunity to reach an agreement on the property tax valuation cap amendment when they reconvene in two weeks for the veto session.

The takeaway

The passage of the protest petition bill gives Kansas taxpayers a new tool to challenge rising property taxes, but the failure to advance the valuation cap amendment means homeowners may continue to face steep increases in their assessed values and corresponding tax bills.