A proposal to set up a riverfront authority to promote development in De Soto is sailing through the Legislature.

Senate Bill 518 won preliminary approval in the House on Thursday and has already cleared the Senate.

The measure would create a De Soto-Johnson County Riverfront Authority to encourage development along the Kansas River in De Soto.

The authority would be able to receive land and accept grants. It could not use condemnation to acquire land, nor could it levy taxes.

De Soto has proposed a $3.4 million, 50-acre park along the riverfront.