Kansas SB12: Requiring each member of a municipal governing body whose district territory includes land being acquired to approve the exercise of eminent domain for such acquisition when such land is to be used for a recreational project

What the bill says

An act concerning the power of eminent domain; relating to the exercise of such power by municipalities for recreational projects; requiring approval by each member of the governing body whose district territory includes the land being acquired; amending K.S.A. 26-201 and repealing the existing section.

From the introduced text, January 16, 2025:

AN ACT concerning the power of eminent domain; relating to the exercise of such power by municipalities for recreational projects; requiring approval by each member of the governing body whose district territory includes the land being acquired; amending K.S.A. 26-201 and repealing the existing section. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas: New Section 1. (a) The board of county commissioners shall not approve the exercise of eminent domain by such county unless each county commissioner whose district territory includes the land, either in whole or in part, that is to be acquired by eminent domain votes in the affirmative to exercise eminent domain to acquire such land. (b) This section shall apply to the acquisition of land for the purposes stated under any of the provisions of article 28 of chapter 19 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto, and for any other public recreational purpose, including, but not limited to, nature areas, entertainment venues, libraries and any other recreational building or grounds that are not otherwise described in article 28 of chapter 19 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto. Sec. 2. K.S.A. 26-201 is hereby amended to read as follows: 26-201. (a) A city shall have the right to acquire by condemnation any interest in real property, including a fee simple …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Tim Shallenburger, Tim (I) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. April 10, 2026: Died in Committee
2. January 17, 2025: Referred to Senate Committee on Local Government, Transparency and Ethics
3. January 16, 2025: Introduced

Common questions

What is SB12?

SB12 is a bill in the Kansas Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Requiring each member of a municipal governing body whose district territory includes land being acquired to approve the exercise of eminent domain for such acquisition when such land is to be used for a recreational project.

What does SB12 do?

In its own words: An act concerning the power of eminent domain; relating to the exercise of such power by municipalities for recreational projects; requiring approval by each member of the governing body whose district territory includes the land being acquired; amending K.S.A. 26-201 and repealing the existing section.

What is the status of SB12?

In committee as of April 10, 2026. Latest action: Died in Committee (April 10, 2026).

Who sponsored SB12?

Tim Shallenburger, Tim (I).

Where is the official record for SB12?

On the Kansas Legislature website: https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb12/