The House of Representatives is scheduled to debate House Sub for SB 13 today - that is the bill passed by the Commerce Committee on Tuesday.   The House convenes at 10:00 a.m.  You can listen at www.kslegislature.org House audio.

KABR supports the compromise bill but has warned legislators that the compromise is harmful to many small businesses when CMB retailers begin selling beer up to 6% alcohol by volume April 1 2019 as prescribed in the legislation.  The compromise sets out multiple new rules regarding price nondiscrimination, changes the products that licensees are able to sell and is designed to establish a predictable regulatory marketplace for the near future.  

It is a controversial issue for retailers.  The negotiated bill puts an end to the concerns about 3.2 products and the decreasing availability of these products without making corporate cmb retailers into liquor licensees.  Most agree that the options will not get better in the near future.  But there is an impact on retailers.

The bill has generated a lot of interest and many legislators have commended the compromise.  At the same time, retailers are fortunate to have a strong number of legislators who are very concerned about the impact of the change on current retailers.

Kansas Senate to Debate Flat Tax Today

The Kansas Senate will try again to pass a tax plan this session before it goes on spring break Friday.  SB 214 would change Kansas income taxes to a 4.6% flat tax.  Current law provides for a two bracket system at 2.6% and 4.6%.  The bill also eliminates the LLC income tax exemption and reduces the sales tax on food by 1% in the first year.  Governor Brownback has indicated support for this plan, but there is opposition.  Many legislators say the plan doesn't raise enough money to cover the state's revenue needs, other oppose the measure because it will raise taxes for lower income Kansans.