TOPEKA, Kan. — A House committee on Thursday passed a bill that would create an entity to own the Kansas City Chiefs stadium in the Sunflower State.
The House Commerce Committee passed a bill to create the Kansas Sports Facilities Authority at the state Capitol.
Jackson County judge upholds Missouri’s redrawn congressional map
On Thursday, some lawmakers called for the amendment to be added.
Democratic state Rep. Lynn Melton of Wyandotte County asked for an addition that would guarantee the mayors of Kansas City, Kansas and Olathe become voting members of the authority committee. The amendment was rejected.
Another amendment would remove the Chiefs from being voting members of the board. That amendment was also defeated.
“They are responsible for the debt,” state Rep. Bill Sutton, a Johnson County Republican, said of the Chiefs.
“It seems to me that if you’re going to be held accountable, if you’re going to be responsible for the financial decisions that the board makes, then you should at least have some say.”
As the bill now stands, the Kansas Sports Facilities Authority would consist of nine voting members. In addition to the chief, the other eight members will be appointed by members of the Legislature. Currently, the mayors of KCK and Olathe will be “non-voting members.”
Kansas City Chiefs talk big moves in 2026 free agency
The House is likely to vote on the bill on Monday. 63 members of the 125-person agency are required to support this.
Republican state Sen. Mike Thompson knew revising the bill in a House committee might not happen. He did not support the current statement, saying that the country “gifted the moon” in December.
That’s when the team announced they were coming to Kansas with the Sales Tax and Revenue, or STAR, bond program approved by the Kansas Department of Commerce.
“In amending this bill, which I think the Senate side will probably try and amend to take the Chiefs off the board, I think that’s the fox guarding the henhouse,” Thompson said.
If Thompson doesn’t want passage in his chamber, he needs another 20 senators to share his sentiments among the 40 senators.
“The problem is the train is running on the tracks,” he continued. “It has momentum. It’s hard to stop.”
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.