TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas may have to pay $42 million to a former Pizza Hut franchise operation owner over his challenge of a tax bill.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports  Gene Bicknell has battled the state since Kansas said he owed $42 million based on his 2006 sale of NPC International, which has hundreds of Pizza Hut franchises.

The Kansas Court of Tax Appeals determined Bicknell was a Kansas resident and owed the money. Bicknell says he was living in Florida, but paid the $42 million and appealed.

The Kansas Court of Appeals said recently the tax appeals court ignored state regulations, sending the case back to the tax appeals court.

A $42-million state payout could affect the state’s finances because the state’s taken in about $42 million less in revenue than expected.