This past week, REALTORS® from across Kansas gathered in Topeka for the annual Capitol Conference, held by the Kansas Association of REALTORS®. The Capitol Conference is a chance for state-associated REALTORS® to actively lobby for their industry and make their voices heard while advocating for private property rights.
For this year’s conference, KCRAR fielded a strong team of attendees, who had no problem speaking up for the business interests of local REALTORS®. Here’s a look at what was covered.For this year’s conference, KCRAR fielded a strong team of attendees, who had no problem speaking up for the business interests of local REALTORS®. Here’s a look at what was covered.
House Bill 2123: The language of this bill adds sexual orientation and gender identity to the Kansas act against discrimination. Ultimately, it prohibits any practice or policy of discrimination against individuals in employment, public accommodations or housing, and adds sexual orientation and gender identity as a protected class. While KAR originally had no position on this bill, KCRAR members and staff strongly voiced their support for HB 2123. As a result, was added to the REALTORS® legislative agenda for 2017. Jeff Carson, KCRAR Director of REALTOR® Advocacy said “fair housing for all is part of the REALTORS® code of ethics and is part of the foundation from which our profession is built and I was happy to see our members feel so strongly about the issue.” The language of this bill adds sexual orientation and gender identity to the Kansas act against discrimination. Ultimately, it prohibits any practice or policy of discrimination against individuals in employment, public accommodations or housing, and adds sexual orientation and gender identity as a protected class. While KAR originally had no position on this bill, KCRAR members and staff strongly voiced their support for HB 2123. As a result, was added to the REALTORS® legislative agenda for 2017. Jeff Carson, KCRAR Director of REALTOR® Advocacy said “fair housing for all is part of the REALTORS® code of ethics and is part of the foundation from which our profession is built and I was happy to see our members feel so strongly about the issue.”
Senate Bill 31: KCRAR members came to Topeka to testify in support of this bill, along with various representatives from local government groups. SB 31 provides an alternative definition of “abandoned property” that would require residential property “be unoccupied for 15 months and have blighting influence.” This two-part test is crucial to addressing KAR’s property rights concerns. Unfortunately, the bill hearing was continued to a date after the conference. KCRAR members came to Topeka to testify in support of this bill, along with various representatives from local government groups. SB 31 provides an alternative definition of “abandoned property” that would require residential property “be unoccupied for 15 months and have blighting influence.” This two-part test is crucial to addressing KAR’s property rights concerns. Unfortunately, the bill hearing was continued to a date after the conference.
Senate Bill 76: The words “occupational licensing” has given more than a few REALTORS® shivers. Fortunately, this issue was addressed in the form of SB 76, which would restrict local governments from licensing or imposing occupational fees. Most importantly, if a state licensing authority already licenses or adds new licensing requirements, the local government is prohibited from continuing to require occupational fees or licensing. Passage of this bill would allow real estate licensees to freely list and sell property in multiple local government jurisdictions without the need to pay burdensome licensing/occupational fees. There are some changes needed to the bill to gain the full support of Kansas REALTORS®, but this is a step in the right direction to protect our members against burdensome and expensive local licensing fees. The words “occupational licensing” has given more than a few REALTORS® shivers. Fortunately, this issue was addressed in the form of SB 76, which would restrict local governments from licensing or imposing occupational fees. Most importantly, if a state licensing authority already licenses or adds new licensing requirements, the local government is prohibited from continuing to require occupational fees or licensing. Passage of this bill would allow real estate licensees to freely list and sell property in multiple local government jurisdictions without the need to pay burdensome licensing/occupational fees. There are some changes needed to the bill to gain the full support of Kansas REALTORS®, but this is a step in the right direction to protect our members against burdensome and expensive local licensing fees.
