Early in 2024, Representative Lisa Moser sponsored House Bill (HB) 2662 which would allow the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation the ability to apply for Project Tax Exemptions for Foundation building project on the Kansas State Fairgrounds. Foundation Board members and staff traveled to the Capital building in Topeka to testify before the Tax Committee in favor of the bill. Support letters were also presented from the Kansas State Fair Board president and other supporters in favor of the HB. It was a tumultuous year at the Capital and the HB was fortunately able to move through the system in the House and then in the Senate thanks to the incredible support of many State Legislators who love the Kansas State Fair. 

On May 2, Foundation leadership received an email from Representative Moser stating that the smoke had cleared in Topeka and the HB 2662, was imbedded inside a larger tax exemption package, HB 2098, which will become law, as the governor’s veto of HB 2098 was overridden by the House on Friday, April 26, 2024 with a vote of 99-20 and then in the Senate on Tuesday, April 30 with a vote of 37-0. 

The Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation wanted to thank the Kansas House of Representatives and the Senators who overwhelming voted to approve this legislation. This legislation will benefit the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation, the Kansas State Fair and all citizens of Kansas through the Foundation sponsored building projects on the Kansas State Fairgrounds. A special thank you to Representative Lisa Moser for being the sponsor of the original HB and for her love and support of the Kansas State Fair.