Kansas House Bill 2231 - A Boaters Take Away

It appears that a little relief is on the way in terms of property taxes pertaining to boats and marine equipment. Here are the results of the new legislation that was recently approved:

Kansas House Bill 2231 includes a provision that changes how boats and marine equipment is taxed. Specifically, it creates an exemption from property taxes for watercraft and "marine equipment."

Here's what that means in simpler terms:

• No More Property Taxes: Starting January 2026, owners of watercraft and marine equipment will no longer have to pay property taxes on that equipment.
• What is Marine Equipment?The bill refers to "marine equipment." This generally includes items used in the operation or maintenance of boats and other watercraft. This could include things like:
  • Boat motors
  • Trailers used to transport boats
  • Navigational equipment
  • Safety gear
• Effective Date: The exemption for marine equipment, along with exemptions for other types of property like off-road vehicles, takes effect for tax years starting after December 31, 2025.
• Requirement to Claim Exemption: The bill also states that property owners will need to file a request to receive this exemption.

In essence, this part of HB 2231 provides financial relief to boat owners and others who use marine equipment by eliminating the property taxes they would otherwise owe on those items.

Read more about the bill here https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2231/

This is not legal advice.