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Bill

HB 2517

Providing countywide retailers' sales tax authority for Leavenworth county for the purposes of furnishing, equipping, improving and maintaining county-supported emergency management operations.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tim Johnson

HB 2517 authorizes Leavenworth County to levy a countywide sales tax dedicated to funding emergency management infrastructure, equipment, and operations.

Died in Committee
#taxation
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Bill Summary · HB 2517

Legislative bill overview

HB 2517 grants Leavenworth County authority to impose a countywide retailers' sales tax to fund emergency management operations, including furnishing, equipping, improving, and maintaining related facilities and services. The bill enables the county to generate dedicated revenue specifically for emergency preparedness and response capabilities without seeking approval from individual cities or municipalities within the county.

Why is this important

Emergency management infrastructure requires sustained funding for equipment, training, facilities, and personnel that serve entire counties during disasters and crises. This bill allows Leavenworth County to establish a dedicated funding stream for these services rather than relying on general tax revenue or grant funding, potentially improving response capacity and resilience. The countywide approach means costs are distributed across all retail sales in the county, whether residents shop in unincorporated areas or incorporated cities.

Potential points of contention

  • Tax burden on retailers and consumers: Sales tax increases are passed to consumers and may affect retail competitiveness, particularly near county borders where residents might shop to avoid higher taxes
  • Municipal autonomy concerns: Cities within Leavenworth County may object to a countywide tax affecting their jurisdictions without explicit individual municipal approval or oversight
  • Use of funds oversight: Questions may arise about how broadly "emergency management operations" is defined and whether adequate accountability mechanisms exist for tax revenue allocation

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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