Bill > HB2346

This bill establishes the Kansas Sports Tourism Grant Program, administered by the Secretary of Commerce, to provide matching grants to communities for developing and hosting sporting events that attract visitors and boost the economy. These grants, which require a dollar-for-dollar match from sponsors, are intended to help communities offset the costs of bidding for and hosting such events. The program is funded from the State Economic Development Initiatives Fund, with a dedicated grant fund created for this purpose, and has an annual grant award limit of $1.5 million, with specific provisions for counties outside of Sedgwick, Wyandotte, and Johnson. Applicants must submit detailed information about the event's projected economic impact and hotel room usage, and grants are awarded after the event based on verified post-event data, with certain professional sports leagues and educational institutions excluded from eligibility, though exhibition games may be considered. The program is set to expire on June 30, 2031, with an annual reporting requirement to the legislature detailing grant awards, economic impact, and other relevant data.