TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas renewable energy plants would lose their exemption to property tax under a bill discussed by a Senate panel.

The Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee held a hearing on the bill Monday. Companies producing energy from wind, solar or other renewable resources have been exempt from property tax since 1999. The bill would instead give those companies a 10-year exemption.

Chairman and Republican Sen. Les Donovan said that the bill still would provide an incentive for renewable investment, but require those companies to pay their fair share.

But representatives of renewable energy companies testified that the bill would amount to breaking a contract with developers. They said it would unfairly punish those who invested in Kansas early, as they would owe back taxes.