Topeka ? The House sent the Senate two bills Wednesday to phase out property taxes on business equipment and machinery in hopes of stimulating the economy.

The first bill, approved 108-14, covers all machinery and equipment purchased or leased by companies after June 30. A companion bill, approved 106-15, covers telecommunications and railroads specifically.

The proposals are patterned after an initiative Gov. Kathleen Sebelius outlined during her State of the State address, designed to improve the business climate by encouraging investment in new machinery and equipment.

Most votes against the bills came from Democrats who said the policy change would create a burden for local governments, which would be forced to raise property taxes on home owners to make up for lost revenue.

The tax on machinery and equipment raises more than $234 million annually. Existing equipment would continue to be taxed until it was replaced.