HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas State Fair officials are eagerly awaiting the March 7 hearing that could be an ultimate game-changer. In that hearing, the Senate Committee will decide if a bill that would allow the fair to collect the sales tax it generates should advance to the Senate floor. The revenue, collected from all fair and non-fair activities, would be deposited in the fair’s capital improvements fund. A House version of the bill already passed through committee with recommended approval.

Legislators came up with the proposal at the urging of the fair as a way to generate needed capital for maintenance and improvements to the grounds. The money would replace what is a $300,000 yearly infusion of cash that the state is supposed to put into the fair’s capital improvement fund, but rarely does. The state is about $1.6 million behind in that fund.

The fair hopes that the sales tax will generate an average of $200,000 per year. With the fairgrounds hosting the 10-day event in September and other shows, including the Kansas Jr. Livestock show, the new legislation could be a healthy financial shot in the arm. State Fair Interim GM Bob Moeder says his staff will be in Topeka ready to push for passage of the bill.

If the committee makes the recommendation to move on the bill, it will go to the Senate floor for action.