State Planning Law

State planning law sets the basis by which regional planning organizations can form.  Initially, the law was K.S.A. 12-716 et seq., but that was re-codified in the mid-1990s so that today it is K.S.A. 12-744 et seq.   To see just what this law states, please click on the highlighted lettering.

Note the law lays out ways for multiple cities and counties to create a single planning department for purposes of cooperative need evaluation and project development.  This can be done so long as no fewer than five (5) different jurisdictions are willing to participate.

And, as one reads through the citation, it should be noted the law does not give any resulting planning commission the right to levy taxes or to issue bonds.  Those powers are retained by the member jurisdictions themselves unless they choose to empower the regional planning commission with that ability.   However, it should be noted that has not been done in Kansas up to this point in time even after 40 years.   Consequently, regional planning commissions exist as a function of local government and subject to its control and direction.