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Volume 40 - Issue 1 - January 7, 2021

State of Kansas

Office of the Governor

Executive Order No. 20-73
Extending the Governor’s Council on Tax Reform

WHEREAS, Kansas is committed to a shared vision of increased prosperity and improved well-being for all Kansans;

WHEREAS, a fair and efficient tax policy at the state level is essential to growing the economy, allowing Kansans to thrive, and adequately and predictably funding both state and local government budgets;

WHEREAS, tax policy changes often raise questions of economics, morality, personal freedom, and shared obligations, and such questions should be addressed by a diverse group of experts and stakeholders;

WHEREAS, the Tax Council was initially to disband on January 1, 2021, but the economic and budgetary disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic requires that the Tax Council continue to play an important role in creating tax policy for our state; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature and the executive branch will benefit from the perspective and counsel of a diverse group of experts and stakeholders when tax policies are proposed and debated.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Kansas, I hereby establish and extend the Governor’s Council on Tax Reform (“Council”):

  1. The Governor shall appoint the following to serve as members of the Council:
    • One representative from or selected by each of the following agencies, organizations, or constituencies:
      • Kansas League of Municipalities
      • Kansas Association of Counties
      • Kansas Association of School Boards
      • Kansas County Treasurers Association
    • Four members of the business, economic development, or agriculture communities.
    • Secretary of Revenue or designee (ex officio)
    • Secretary of Commerce or designee (ex officio)
    • Secretary of Transportation or designee (ex officio)
    • Budget Director or designee (ex officio)
    • Additional members at the Governor’s discretion.
  2. The Governor shall invite the following legislators to participate as full voting members of the Council:
    • President of the Senate
    • Speaker of the House
    • Senate Minority Leader
    • House Minority Leader
  3. The Governor shall select a chair and vice-chair, or co-chairs, from the Council’s membership, and the chair or co-chairs may establish rules for the Council’s meetings and conduct of business.
  4. Members shall receive no compensation and shall serve voluntarily. Members other than the chair, vice-chair, or co-chairs shall not be reimbursed for expenses or mileage. Officers or employees of state agencies who are appointed to the Council as part of their duties shall be authorized to participate on the Council and may claim subsistence, allowance, mileage, or associated expenses from their respective agency budgets as permitted by law.
  5. The Council shall be subject to the Kansas Open Records Act and the Kansas Open Meetings Act.
  6. Plans, reports, or recommendations of any nature adopted by the Council shall be considered advice to the Governor, and shall not be construed as official policies, positions, or interpretations of laws, rules, or regulations by any department or agency of state government, nor shall any such department or agency be bound in any manner to consider such advice when conducting their advisory and regulatory affairs. 
  7. The Council shall:
    • Identify goals, initiatives, performance metrics, and other methods of assessing or achieving increased effectiveness and fairness in the state’s tax system;
    • Explore, assess, recommend, and report on various tax strategies and policies that may increase the effectiveness and fairness of the state’s tax system;
    • Receive input from the public—including relevant non-profit or business stakeholders, experts, and other organizations not represented on the Council—regarding various tax strategies or policies; and
    • Submit an initial report in December 2019 informing and advising the Governor of the Council’s assessments and recommendations.
  8. The Council shall be staffed by the Department of Revenue with assistance from other experts or organizations as appropriate.
  9. After submitting reports in December of 2019 and 2020, the Council shall continue to meet and work as needed to develop and submit a final report to the Governor by December 8, 2021, after which the Council’s work will be complete and it will disband.
  10. The membership of the Council as it exists as of this date shall be continued without the need for formal reappointment.
  11. This order supersedes any contrary provisions of Executive Order 19-11.

This document shall be filed with the Secretary of State as Executive Order No. 20-73. It shall become effective immediately and remain in force until the earlier of either its affirmative rescission or January 1, 2022.

Dated December 31, 2020.

Laura Kelly
Governor

Doc. No. 048751

Secretary of State Seal