Category Archives: Kansas

Government, Kansas

Talk to Your Government Representatives Feb. 29 In Fort Scott

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Join us THIS SATURDAY, February 29th for a
Legislative Update Coffee
Empress Event Center
9-10:30am
with
Kansas Senators
and
Kansas Representatives
Click the links on the legislators’ names above to view the committees on which they serve and their voting records.
The Legislative Update Coffee will be held at the Empress Event Center, 7 N. Main St., Fort Scott, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m (parking & entrances in both front and back of building).
State legislators Senators Richard Hilderbrand and Caryn Tyson and Representatives Trevor Jacobs and Ken Collins will give an update on the current session as well as address any issues or questions presented from the audience.
If you have a particular item you would like to have addressed and plan to attend, you may email the Chamber at [email protected] by 5:00 p.m. Thursday, February 27th.
Coffee, juice & light refreshments will be served.
Tell your friends – all are welcome!
Thank you to our event sponsors :
Fort Scott Professional Building
Office space available for new
& existing businesses!
Click herefor info.
Empress Event Center
Click here for info.
Government, Kansas

Court of Appeals Interviews Feb. 24-25

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Court of Appeals Nominating Commission to interview applicants February 24 and 25

The Court of Appeals Nominating Commission will convene February 24 and 25 to interview 19 applicants to fill the upcoming vacancy on the Kansas Court of Appeals created by the April 3, 2020 retirement of Judge G. Joseph Pierron Jr.

Interviews will be in a meeting room in the Kansas Judicial Center, 301 SW 10th Ave., Topeka. The Commission will convene at 8:30 a.m. Monday, February 24, and interviews will start at 9 a.m. Interviews will continue at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 25.

 

Interview Schedule

Monday, February 24, 2020

 

8:30 am Meeting Convenes
9:00 am Daniel Cahill
9:30 am Kristafer R. Ailslieger
10:00 am Lesley A. Isherwood
10:30 am Break/Exec. Session
10:50 am Angela D. Coble
11:20 am Randall L. Hodgkinson
11:50 am Diane H. Sorensen
12:20 pm Lunch break for Commission [Exec. Session]
1:30 pm Steven J. Obermeier
2:00 pm Suzanne Valdez
2:30 pm Amy Cline
3:00 pm Break/Exec. Session
3:20 pm Dennis D. Depew
3:50 pm Russell J. Keller
4:20 pm Break/Exec. Session
4:40 pm Adjourn for the day

 

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

 

8:45 am Meeting Convenes
9:00 am Sarah J. Loquist-Berry
9:30 am Marcia A. Wood
10:00 am David J. Rempel
10:30 am Break/Exec. Session
10:50 am Carl A. Folsom, III
11:20 am Natalie A. Chalmers
11:50 am Lunch break for Commission [Exec. Session]
1:10 pm Kristen D. Wheeler
1:40 pm Michael P. Joyce
2:10 pm Stephen O. Phillips
2:40 pm Break/Exec. Session
3:10 pm Reconvene for deliberations/voting
4:00 pm Adjourn for the day

 

The nominating commission will conduct its work in accordance with the Kansas Open Meetings Act and Executive Order 18-08. Additional details can be found in the Guidelines for Interviews. (attached as PDF)

Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive Order 20-01 on Tuesday, January 28 establishing the Court of Appeals Nominating Commission. Under Kansas law, the Governor appoints judges to the Court of Appeals subject to confirmation by the Senate. The Commission will review each applicant’s background and qualifications, conduct interviews and then submit three nominees for the Governor to consider.

 

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update By State Senator Caryn Tyson Feb.14

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February 14, 2020

Almost all work was in committees during week five of session.  Several bills were passed out of committees so there could be ample work on the Senate floor in the next two weeks.

 

Legislation 101  Do you remember the School House Rock video, “I’m Just A Bill”?  “I’m just a bill.  Yes, I’m only a bill and I’m sitting here on capitol hill…”  Kansas has a similar bill process that is a two-year bill cycle starting in odd years.  There have been 452 senate bills introduced this cycle. A list of the bills can be found online at http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2019_20/measures/bills/senate/#1.

 

Once a bill is drafted and introduced, it is usually referred to a committee.  The committee may have a hearing, table, amend, and/or vote on the bill.  If it passes, it goes below the line for the body of the whole.  At this point the Majority Leader decides if and when a bill will be above the line for debate on the floor.  There are rules that allow legislators to pull a bill out of committee and above the line but it rarely occurs since it takes more than a majority and is a high threshold.  If the bill makes it to floor debate, it can again be amended.  If a majority vote yes during a final action vote, the bill is sent to the other chamber to begin the process again.  If a bill is amended in the second chamber, the originating chamber will vote to accept or reject the changes.  If rejected, the bill can be killed or a conference committee with three members from each chamber is formed to negotiate the changes and agree on a compromise.  Both chambers must pass the compromise before it will go to the governor.  The governor can sign the bill into law, veto the bill – an attempt to kill the bill, or allow it to become law without a signature.  Two thirds majority of each chamber can override a governor’s veto, in which a vetoed bill becomes law.

Maybe we can follow a bill along to see how this works.  SB 294 , that brings transparency to your property tax increases, has been voted out of committee and is now below the line in the Senate.  Do to the bill’s popularity I’ve been told it may be quickly moved above the line for debate on the Senate floor.  I will keep you informed on its progress through the system.

Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) You may have heard the Governor is attempting to mess with KPERS again.  Last year a supermajority of legislators sent a strong message (a veto override) to leave KPERS alone.  The Governor obviously did not get the message as she is attempting to re-amortize, basically refinance, costing Kansas taxpayers $4.4 billion dollars.  As with last year, I will fight to block the Governor’s effort to weaken KPERS and put our State in more debt.

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

Government, Kansas

Kansas Governor moves transportation plan FORWARD

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Governor Laura Kelly and Julie Lorenz, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), announced a new transportation program, FORWARD, at a news conference today as part of the Transportation Day activities at the State Capitol.

 

“Key features of FORWARD include a flexible, responsive rolling program where major projects are selected every two years rather than once a decade,” Kelly said. “FORWARD also calls for completion of  delayed T-WORKS projects; transit, aviation, rail, bike and pedestrian solutions that solve problems in rural and urban Kansas; and more partnerships with local communities to increase both local matches and the number of improvements we can make.”

 

FORWARD will also provide more resources to communities through new initiatives such as the Cost-Share, Local Bridge Improvement and Strategic Safety programs to help address Kansans’ pent-up demand for transportation investments, Secretary Lorenz said.

 

“Most importantly, FORWARD will provide better service through helping communities solve more transportation problems by utilizing all of KDOT’s resources,” Secretary Lorenz said.

 

Both Governor Kelly and Secretary Lorenz stressed the need to end transfers out of the State Highway Fund. Over the past several years, more than $2 billion has been transferred, causing the condition of the state’s highway system to decline. Governor Kelly’s budget, with the Legislature’s support, began to reverse that trend last year.

 

“To pass FORWARD, we must close the ‘Bank of KDOT’ – and make sure that funding for transportation is spent on transportation,” Kelly said. Governor Kelly has pledged to close the “Bank of KDOT” by the end of her first term.

 

The FORWARD program is a plan for Kansans, developed in consultation with Kansans, that works for the whole state.

 

“Kansans are ready to build a better transportation system for themselves and for future generations,” Secretary Lorenz said. “With FORWARD, KDOT will be ready to deliver.”

Government, Kansas

Senator Hilderbrand Legislative Newsletter Feb. 7

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February 7, 2020 ∙ Week Four
HARD FACTS
Revenue Report Tax Facts:
·      The 2020 fiscal year begins in July and, since that time, the state has collected $116.9 million more in tax revenue than experts predicted.
·      Also since July 1, individual income tax receipts exceeded estimates by $51.1 million and corporate income tax revenue was $24.4 million more than analysts anticipated.
·      To date, from July to January, we have collected $273 million or 6.8%, more than the same period last year.
U.S. Economy: The U.S. economy remains strong. The Washington Post reports the labor market added 225,000 jobs in January 2020.
Early Learning Resources from the State Library
Britannica School is an online resource from the State Library of Kansas for children. Most of the content is for grades 2-4 but it includes Fundamentals! for Pre-K which uses games, videos, and drawing tools to engage younger learners.
BookFlix pairs video storybooks with related nonfiction e-books. Imagine Curious George paired with a nonfiction book about monkeys! The read-along storybook highlights each word as it is read. This option can be turned off. Related games reinforce early learning reading skills. BookFlix requires Flash.
Britannica E-Stax (PreK-6) features nonfiction books that can be read online or downloaded to any Internet enabled device. Both are available at no charge through the State Library’s web site https://kslib.info/kids .
If the page above asks for a Kansas Library eCard number, you may get one at any library in Kansas. Most people will be automatically recognized as being in Kansas and will not need this step. Adobe Flash is needed to view the animation and hear the narration.  Questions: [email protected] or 785-296-3296.
FLOOR ACTION
Senate Bill 157 was carried over from last year and passed the Senate floor by an overwhelming majority (Yea: 39 Nay: 1) I sponsored and voted in favor of this bill.  It was amended on the floor to make technical updates to statutory references.
The bill amends the Kansas Family Code, which governs temporary parenting plans, to presume when ordering a temporary parenting plan, that it is in the best interest of the child for fit, willing, and able parents to have temporary joint legal custody and share equal parenting time while working on a permanent agreement.
The bill includes exceptions for equal time in cases where domestic abuse has occurred or is occurring assuming in those situations temporary equal custody may not be in the best interest of the child.
During a debate, a question was raised about the definition of the word “fit” in the context of “fit, willing, and able parents” which might unintentionally become a harmful factor. The word “fit” was not specifically defined in the bill. The concern was a judge might consider a parent with certain disabilities as ‘unfit’. Senator Wilborn clarified that was not the intent and a Revisor stated the language was conventionally used in statutes. The bill does add definitions for “equal parenting time,” “joint legal custody,” and “parenting time.”
Senate Bill 258 was considered under the Consent Calendar and overwhelmingly passed the Senate floor (Yea: 39 Nay: 1) I voted in favor of this bill.
The bill addressed administrative issues within the statehouse and removes the requirement for certain reports to be submitted to the Legislative Division of Post Audit. Because of another bill the Senate passed in 2018, that department no longer oversees the audit work associated with the four reports specified in the bill and has no meaningful use for receiving them.
I had the opportunity to present Jake Holmes of Mulberry a Senate Tribute. Jake took home the gold at the Junior World Finals in Las Vegas, and became a world champion in the 12 and under tie-down roping and breakaway.
ATTORNEY GENERAL TESTIFIES ON MEDICAID EXPANSION
Attorney General Derek Schmidt testified for just under an hour before the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee. Most of his time was spent reviewing three types of cases currently being argued in high level courts, which may put several ACA provisions in jeopardy. Several of these provisions, if overturned, would affect the current Medicaid expansion plan.
The second type of cases the Attorney General explained were cases related to the Health Insurance Providers (HIP) fee. Currently, the State of Kansas, along with five other states, is involved in a suit in the United States District Court arguing that HIP fees, which are mandated by the ACA, are a de facto tax on state treasuries. The states contend the federal government does not have the legal authority to tax state treasuries. This case is currently awaiting a hearing in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The final type of cases the Attorney General brought to the committee’s attention were those dealing with religious freedom and its interaction with health insurance. The State of Kansas recently joined an amicus brief filed by sixteen states alleging the current religious exemption rules in the ACA ensure that proper respect is afforded to sincerely held religious objections to rules governing this area of health insurance and coverage.
REVENUE NUMBERS ARE GOOD; TAXPAYERS SHOULD BENEFIT
Kansas has collected more tax revenue than expected almost every month for more than two years now and in January the trend continued. The latest Department of Revenue report released last week shows collections were nearly $60 million more than anticipated leading Republican legislators to continue to work on their plans to help Kansans benefit with long-term tax solutions. Two bills being heard in the Assessment and Taxation Committee are SB 294 and SB 295 which demand transparency in property taxes and rising appraisal rates.
The $60 million more than analysts predicted translates into a 9% January surplus. Since the current budget year began in July, tax collections have run nearly $111 million more than budget officials expected. Even with extra revenue being collected monthly, Governor Kelly continues to reject that idea that Kansans should be able to itemize on their mortgage interest, healthcare costs, and property taxes.
Hearing on SB 294(I cosponsored this bill) was held in Assessment and Taxation on Tuesday, February 4th
Honorable Wayne Niederhauser, Former State Senate President from Utah, gave a presentation on the Utah Tax Model. The goal of their Property Tax System is to protect taxpayers against automatic or unnecessary property tax increases as well as allow local government to pay for the services they provide for constituents.
The bill wants to promote transparency by implementing Truth-In-Tax. If the local entity wants to receive more property tax revenue this year than last year, they may adopt a higher property tax rate than the Certified Rate. Before they adopt that a higher rate, the entity must notify all property owners within the jurisdiction that they plan to raise property taxes and when and where they hold a public hearing about the proposed property tax hike. In the public hearings, the City Council explains why they want to increase property taxes. Members of the public may express support or opposition to the proposed property tax hike. At the conclusion of the hearing, the local elected officials must vote on the final property tax rate.
A helpful 8 minute video to help understand Utah’s Model can be found at https://www.wasatch.edu/domain/1437
Hearing on SB 295(I cosponsored this bill) was held in Assessment and Taxation on Thursday, February 6th
The goal of SB 295 would be to prevent the county appraiser from increasing the valuation of property solely as a result of normal repair, replacement, or maintenance of existing structures, equipment, and improvements in their property. The bill indicates that normal repair, replacement, or maintenance does not include new construction. There are things such as building sheds or adding square footage that should be looked at when appraising a property, but many believe that homeowners should not be penalized for maintaining their property. The way the system is set up now ends up taxing many out of their homes causing people to leave. As Kansas has seen more people leave than migrate into the state, this bill would help keep many in their homes and in the state.
GOVERNOR’S REORGANIZATION PLAN
We’re still researching the pros and cons on how one massive agency proposed by Governor Kelly would affect some of Kansas’ most vulnerable citizens.  The governor submitted an Executive Reorganization Order, ERO 44, to create a new Health and Human Services Agency which would combine the Department of Families and Children (DCF), Kansas Department of Aging and Disabled Services (KDADS) and the Juvenile Services Division of the Department of Corrections.
The current Secretary of KDADS and DCF, Laura Howard, is set to head the new department and has been crisscrossing the Statehouse to meet with Legislators and share the Governor’s vision.
People who support the merger say the ability to offer a range of services to a single family through one office as an advantage. However, many of the programs within these agencies are already facing criticisms in the news and among the public. The Department for Children and Families, for example, has been working to ensure Kansans foster children find homes and will no longer be sleeping in workers’ offices.
The Senate Health Committee has 30 days to review the Executive Reorganization Order and decide whether or not to send it to the full Senate for further review.  The Senate will then have an additional 30 days to respond.
IS GOVERNOR KELLY GETTING READY TO INTRODUCE HER VERSION OF THE GREEN NEW DEAL?
Governor Laura Kelly submitted Executive Reorganization Order Number 46 to the Senate last week. This ERO moves the Energy Office out of the Kansas Corporation Commission and establishes it as a separate, independent entity. The Governor claims the reorganization will allow the office to preserve its existing programs but will also allow the office to begin developing policy, including developing a state energy plan and engage in “stakeholder outreach.”
The Governor said the reorganization is a first step for the state to draft a comprehensive energy plan, a strong suggestion made by London Economics (more on that below), which, we can assume, would focus strongly on renewable energy and energy efficiency.
I AM PROUD TO BE A COSPONSOR OF THE PLAN TO KEEP KPERS SOLID
Several Republican Senators along with myself sent SB 368 to the Ways and Means Committee. SB 368 will pay back money owed to the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System (KPERS) and should also serve as a message to Governor Kelly that her plan to use state employee pension funds to balance her budget is not one that we support. We must be vigilant in keeping KPERS strong for our teachers and state employees.
The bill pays off $268 million in state/school group debt to KPERS and will save the state $209 million in interest payments by doing so early. Notably, once the funds are transferred, they cannot be removed from the KPERS Trust Fund. This bill is similar to the 2019 SB 9 which passed both the House and Senate unanimously. SB 368 has 23 sponsors.
AT-RISK STUDENT FUNDING CONCERNS
School District officials from across the state came to Topeka to urge members of the Education Committee to preserve high-density at-risk school funding. The $50 million funding source is set to run out at the end of the current school year unless the Senate approves SB 271. Districts qualify for the additional high-density funding source when the at-risk population is 35% or more of all students.
I will be supporting this bill as long as it does not get amended in a negative way. If this statute is allowed to sunset, it will have a negative impact on every school district in my Senate district.
UTILITY STUDY RESULTS ARE IN
The Senate Utilities Committee heard a full report on the Kansas Electric Rate Study from London Economics International, the firm chosen by the committee to complete an in-depth analysis of the causes of Kansans’ high electric bills. The firm completed Phase One of the rate study, focusing specifically on rate-making options and possible ways to improve the competitiveness of Kansas electricity. A.J. Goulding, LEI president, and Gabriel Roumy, managing consultant of the study, spoke for just under an hour about the firm’s process to study electric rates in Kansas.
Our state’s rates have made headlines in the last several months for being considerably higher than the regional average. The LEI study found the primary reasons for these unusually high rates to include high tax rates in the state, slowing consumer demands for electricity, investment by electric providers in complying to strict government standards related to the environment and increasing transmission costs.
RAW MILK HAS VOTERS TALKING
The Senate Ag and Natural Resources Committee will hear two controversial, and competing, bills next week related to the sale of raw milk. Presently, the state allows the sale of raw milk. However, there are two caveats: all raw milk must be sold on the premises of the farm where it is produced and dairy producers may only advertise their raw milk products by posting a sign on their farm premises stating raw milk, or raw milk products, can be purchased on that premises. Current statutes prohibit farmers and other dairy producers from advertising raw milk in any other way, including verbally telling potential customers about their products in any place except their farm. Raw milk proponents contend this statute makes it nearly impossible to sell their product.
The existing statute was challenged in November 2019 when two goat farmers, who sell raw goat’s milk, contended in the Shawnee County District Court that the strict advertisement laws violated their 1st and 14th Amendment rights. In an unprecedented move, both the Kansas Attorney General, Derek Schmidt, and the Kansas Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Beam, conceded to the court, agreeing the statute was unnecessary and unenforceable.
Secretary Beam then began urging the 2020 Legislature to amend the state’s raw milk statutes, which leads us to where we are today.
SB 300 (to be heard on Wednesday): This bill strikes all language from current statutes that makes the sale of raw milk legal. In effect, this bill would require all milk sold throughout the State of Kansas to be pasteurized before it is sold to any consumer.
SB 308 (to be heard on Thursday): This bill legally allows the on-farm retail sale of raw milk products only if they conform with specified labeling standards outlined in the bill. These standards state the label of the raw milk product must include the following warning: “This product contains ungraded raw milk that is not pasteurized and, as a result, may contain organisms that cause food-borne illness, especially in infants, young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems.” The warning must be printed in uniform size and must be in the same size font as the largest font used on the label.
An identical warning must be printed on all advertisements used for the sale of raw milk products. However, the bill would allow raw milk producers to advertise their products in any way they desire, provided they include the required warning statement somewhere on the advertisement. This would make current statues comply with the District Court’s ruling on the advertising rights of raw milk producers.
COMING UP NEXT WEEK
Monday, February 10 (Last day for committee bill requests)
Ø Hearing: SB 267 — Clarifying that a violation of the statute requiring secured vehicle loads is a traffic infraction. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 305 — Increasing the bond amount required for a vehicle dealer license. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Discussion and action: SB 252 — Expanding medical assistance eligibility and implementing a health insurance plan reinsurance program. (9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Hearing: SB 321 — Amortizing the state and school KPERS unfunded actuarial liability over a 25-year period and authorizing the transfer of $268,412,000 from the state general fund to the KPERS fund during fiscal year 2020 and eliminating certain level-dollar employer contribution payments. (10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: ERO 45 — Transferring the functions of the state employee health benefits plan and the state worker compensation self-insurance fund from the department of health and environment to the division of the state employee health benefits plan within the department of administration. (10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 335 — Authorizing school districts to pay the tuition for a student’s dual enrollment in a postsecondary educational institution. (1:30, Education, 144-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 380 — Prohibiting municipalities from imposing additional requirements on video service providers for the provision of wireless services. (1:30, Utilities, 548-S)
Tuesday, February 11
Ø Hearing: SB 152 — Authorizing the secretary of health and environment to collect underground injection control program fees and redirecting water well license program fees. (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 153 — Providing for department of health and environment response operations for water and soil pollutant release, discharge or escape (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 326 — Increasing the age for eligibility to renew drivers’ licenses online to 65. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 342 Allowing drivers’ license renewal notices to be sent electronically. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 242 — Property tax abatement for agricultural improvement destroyed or substantially destroyed by a natural disaster. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 279 — Expanding the property tax exemption for property used to provide humanitarian services to include additional not-for-profit organizations. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 338 — Allow municipalities to adopt an alternate budget procedure. (9:30, Ethics, Elections and Local Government, 142-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 290 — Updating how the securities commissioner may be appointed and removed.(9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 289 — Updating the version of risk-based capital instructions in effect. (9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Discussion and action: SB 304 — Establishing a process by which a reciprocal may convert to into a mutual insurance company. (9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Discussion and action: SB 252 — Expanding medical assistance eligibility and implementing a health insurance plan reinsurance program. (9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Discussion and action: SB 283 — Authorizing sports wagering under the Kansas expanded lottery act.(10:30, Federal and State Affairs, 144-S)
Ø Discussion and possible action on: SB 255 — Appropriations to the University of Kansas Medical Center; creating the Cancer Research and Public Information Trust Fund. (10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 354 — Amending the private and out-of-state postsecondary educational institution act clarify the state board of regents’ authority and provide additional student protections and institutional accountability. (1:30, Education, 144-S)
Wednesday, February 12 (last day for individual bill introduction)
Ø Hearing: SB 300 — Prohibiting the sale of unpasteurized milk for human consumption. (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 361 — Affording public employees and professional employees certain rights with respect to withholding of public employee organization and professional employee organization dues.(8:30, Commerce, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 315 — Providing for the love, Chloe foundation license plate. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 316 — Providing for the together as one foundation license plate. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 278 — Expanding the ability for cities and school districts to operate and finance a community historical museum. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 310 — Requiring all voting systems for elections to use individual voter-verified paper ballots. (9:30, Ethics, Elections and Local Government, 142-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 292 — Granting the commissioner of insurance flexibility in assessing certain excess lines coverage penalties. (9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 347 — Concerning insurance department regulations for financial examinations, including requirements for hiring consultants, examination fees and examiner compensation. (9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 334 — Modifying certain rules of evidence in the code of civil procedure related to authentication of records and documents. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 344 — Removing the requirement to photograph vehicles in the scrap metal theft reduction act. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 348 — Increasing reimbursement rates for providers of home and community-based services under the intellectual or developmentally disabled waiver. (10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 339 — Allowing the state corporation commission to approve certain electric contract rates and associated cost recovery from all rate classes. (1:30, Utilities, 548-S)
Thursday, February 13
Ø Hearing: SB 308 — Allowing the on-farm retail sale of raw, unpasteurized milk so long as certain labeling and advertising requirements are met. (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 275 — Eligibility requirements for restricted driving privileges and elimination of additional 90-day wait period of suspended or revoked licenses. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 356 — Clarifying the weight restrictions for drivers’ licenses. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 320 — Expanding the definition of “infectious disease” in certain testing statutes related to crimes in which the transmission of body fluids from one person to another may have been involved.(9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Hearing: SB 359 — Removing the monetary cap on irrevocable prearranged funeral agreements.(9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Hearing: SB 362 — Allow retail sales of fireworks all year; extend the seasonal sales of fireworks; repeal the ban on bottle rockets; allow cities and counties to regulate or ban fireworks sales. (10:30, Federal and State Affairs, 144-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 333 — Modifying criminal procedures relating to a defendant’s competency or incompetency to stand trial. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 332 — Changing requirements for court orders directing a child to remain in a present or future placement issued for children in need of care. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 336 — Creating the Kansas reinvest in postsecondary education act. (1:30, Education, 144-S)
Friday, February 14 (last day for committee bill introductions)
Ø Happy Valentine’s Day!
Ø 8 AM Session
Ø Hearing: SB 346 — Authorizing the insurance department to retain the proceeds of the sale of insurance department surplus real estate and any improvements thereon in the insurance department service regulation fund. (10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Ø Many committees will meet on call of the chair.
Thank You for Engaging
Thank you for all your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. I hope you’ll continue to engage with me on the issues that matter most to you, your family, and our community. If you are on Twitter or Facebook, I encourage you to follow along with the #ksleg hashtag for real-time updates on legislative happenings in Topeka.
Please know that I am fully committed to addressing the current issues in our state, and I am proud to be your voice in the Kansas Senate.
Richard Hilderbrand Kansas State Senator District 13 | 1116 Military Ave, Baxter Springs, KS 66713

 

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update By State Senator Caryn Tyson

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February 7, 2020

In the movie McClintock, John Wayne is asked if he has “a day off” and his response is “off day”.  That describes Wednesday of the fourth week of session.  Session was canceled for the Super Bowl celebration.  However, I and some of my colleagues worked on Wednesday but there were no committee meetings.

 

It was also an ‘off week’.  The House debated and fell 4 votes shy of putting SCR 1613, Value Them Both (mother and child) Constitutional Amendment, on the ballot.  In response, the Senate President moved all of the House bills that had passed out of Senate committees back to committee.  She threw down the gauntlet sending a message to the House – reconsider passing SCR 1613.

 

Hearings were held on Senate Bill (SB) 294 and SB 295 to promote transparency and fairness in our property tax system.  The only opponents to the bills were taxpayer funded lobbyist or local government employees.

 

SB 294 is based on the successful Utah and Tennessee property tax systems.  It would change the Kansas Truth In Taxation to require a notice of a planned property tax increase in the paper of record  and a mailed notice to each taxpayer stating the planned increase for that taxpayer.  The notices would also include a date, time, and location for a Truth In Taxation hearing at which time local government officials would vote on a property tax increase.  Yes, there would be a cost for the notices but all the taxing authorities should be in one mailing, thus cutting cost.  Utah has had a similar mailing system in place for almost 35 years.  The former President of Utah Senate Wayne Niederhauser, former Tax Chair, and a CPA spoke to Kansas legislators on the Utah program.  He said their taxpayers love it and the governing bodies have embraced it.  An example is the video posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0pBFrILbXU.  He also said that he wouldn’t use the cost of the mailing as a reason not to pass the bill.  SB 294 would not stop property tax increases.  It would require local governing body actions and increases transparency to taxpayers.

 

SB 295 would stop your property valuation from increasing for normal maintenance.  It would still increase for remodels or additions.  It makes sense but again, taxpayer funded lobbyist testified against the bill.

 

The Senate passed SB 157 amending the Kansas Family Code to provide temporary equal time for parents during a divorce until a permanent agreement can be established.  The bill does have exceptions of abuse or the best interest of the child.  The bill passed the Senate 39 to 1.  I voted Yes.

 

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

Government, Kansas

Visitation Canceled at Hutchinson Correctional Facility

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Hutchinson Correctional Facility – Central Unit has been placed on lockdown with limited movement due to an inmate disturbance at the facility on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, which resulted in the battery of five correctional officers. The inmates identified in being involved in the disturbance have been placed in Restrictive Housing under investigation. The five officers that were battered, have been treated for their injuries.
Due to this, weekend visitation will be cancelled for the Central Unit only, beginning February 8, 2020.
The correctional facility is taking the proactive measure of suspending visitation privileges for the safety and security of staff and inmates. Warden Schnurr said the facility will reevaluate its ability to resume its normal visitation schedule early next week.
Visitation at Hutchinson Correctional Facility, East and South Unit will proceed as normal.
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Government, Kansas

Billing Rules to Protect Consumers

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KCC supports expansion of federal Truth-in-Billing rules to protect consumers

 

Topeka – The Kansas Corporation Commission has authorized its staff to file comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) supporting a proposal to expand Truth-in-Billing rules to internet phone providers. The rules, already apply to wireless and landline customers.

 

The Commission supports modernizing and strengthening the rules to ensure all consumers have the basic information to make informed choices regarding their communications services. A report released by the FCC last year showed increases in both residential and business use of Internet phone service, also known as interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP.

 

The KCC does not have regulatory authority over internet services, therefore expanding the current rules at the federal level is critical in order to provide VoIP customers important protections. The Truth-in-Billing rules require service providers to separate line item fees on consumer bills, clearly identifying government–mandated fees from fees a service provider uses to cover its own costs. This disclosure allows consumers to make an informed choice based on all charges and review anything beyond the price paid for service.

 

The FCC is taking public comments on the proposed rule change through February 12.

 

 

Government, Kansas

Senator Richard Hilderbrand Newsletter

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January 31, 2020 ∙ Week Three
HARD FACTS
Medicaid Expansion
·      Expanding Medicaid would cause approximately 55,000 Kansans who currently purchase their own insurance through the private market to be automatically shifted to Medicaid according to the Kansas Health Institute.
·      Total net costs to the state for FY2021 are estimated (by the Kansas Health Institute) to be $15.3 million for newly eligible adults, $14.1 million for currently eligible, newly enrolled adults, and $34.4 million for newly enrolled children.
Property Tax Facts:
·      According to the Kansas Department of Revenue property taxes in Kansas increased 164% from 1997 to 2018. The rate of inflation during that time period was only 49.5%.
·       Property tax collections have risen by more than $1 billion over the past decade. Kansans now pay more than $5 billion in property taxes each year, according to a 2019 analysis by WalletHub.
Getting ready to apply for college?
Improving your test scores just got easier with LearningExpress Library, available from the State Library of Kansas. LearningExpress Library is an online resource that includes practice tests and tutorials for PSAT, ACT and SAT as well as AP and essay writing help. There is no charge to use LearningExpress and no limit to the number of times you can take the practice tests. Becoming familiar with and comfortable with the testing format and the types of questions helps to improve test scores. Go to https://kslib.info/LearningExpress click on College Preparation Center.
Easy registration and self-supplied password is necessary and helps you save your practice tests and tutorials. If the page above asks for a Kansas Library eCard number, you may get one at any library in Kansas. Most people will be automatically recognized as being in Kansas and will not need this step.  Questions: [email protected] or 785-296-3296.
FLOOR ACTION
(SCR 1613) With a vote of 28-12(I voted in favor of this bill), the Kansas Senate Passed the Value Them Both Amendment to reverse the Supreme Court ruling that threatened to destroy all abortion regulation in Kansas.
After four hours of debate and multiple proposed amendments, the Senate approval now leaves the matter to the Kansas House to consider. Debate in the House should take place next week with Representatives Susan Humphries and Susan Concannon carrying the resolution.
The Value Them Both Constitutional Amendment is needed to protect current Kansas abortion regulations such as parental consent, informed consent, the late-term abortion ban, and clinic regulations.
While this constitutional amendment protects life and the safety of Kansas women, it should be argued it also does more. It is about preserving three separate branches of government. The legislative branch was designed to create laws. Legislators are held accountable and elected by voters.  Effectively removing laws voters already approved is an overreach of the judicial branch of government.
A “yes” vote on the ballot for the Value Them Both Constitutional Amendment keeps regulations and laws already in place and approved by voters, on the books. Abortion regulation allows us to value both the mother and the child and regulate a health care industry in the same way all other industries are regulated for public safety.
I had the opportunity to show Allyson Wells and her family around the Senate Chamber after she was recognized for being a first place winner in the Kansas Historical Societies Photo Contest.
COMING UP NEXT WEEK
Monday, February 3 (Last day for individual bill requests)
Ø Hearing: SB 284 — Providing motor vehicle disability placards for school districts and interlocal cooperatives. (1:30, Education, 144-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 277 — Clarifying the authority of healing arts school clinics to provide healing arts services.(1:30, Education, 144-S)
Tuesday, February 4
Ø Hearing: SB 251 — Allow businesses to elect to file certain business reports with the secretary of state annually, biennially or triennially.(8:30, Commerce, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 288 — Designating a portion of United States highway 77 as the Cpl. Allen E. Oatney and SP4 Gene A. Myers memorial highway.(8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 248 — Extraterritorial zoning, subdivision regulations; mailed notice to landowners of record. (9:30, Ethics, Elections and Local Government, 142-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 312 — Imposing a civil fine for operating a childcare facility without a license.(9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Hearing: SB 220 — Licensure of professional occupations allowing certain persons with criminal or civil records that would otherwise disqualify such persons from licensure to receive a license; add state board of education to exempt agencies.
Ø (10:30, Federal and State Affairs, 144-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 319 — Clarifying that bond agents are required to return certain people released on bond to the court in the county where the bond was issued. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 331 — Authorizing department of corrections employees and local correctional or detention officers to have identifying information restricted from public access on public websites that identify home addresses or home ownership. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 332 — Changing requirements for court orders directing a child to remain in a present or future placement issued for children in need of care.(10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 271 — Repealing the sunset provision for the high-density at-risk weighting. (1:30, Education, 144-S)
Wednesday, February 5
Ø Hearing: SB 285 — Extending the existence of the UST redevelopment fund and compensation advisory board to 2032. (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 286 — Amending the Kansas storage tank act by increasing the maximum liability of and extending the sunset of the aboveground fund and the underground fund. (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 287 — Amending the Kansas storage tank act by extending the expiration of certain reimbursement provisions to 2030 and increasing the underground storage tank replacement reimbursement maximum. (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 267 — Clarifying that a violation of the statute requiring secured vehicle loads is a traffic infraction. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 305 — Increasing the bond amount required for a vehicle dealer license. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 294 — Establishing notice and public hearing requirements prior to approval by a governing body to exceed its certified tax rate for property tax purposes. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 299 — Expand the campaign finance act to cover unified school districts having 5,000 or more students and community colleges. (9:30, Ethics, Elections and Local Government, 142-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 290 — Updating how the securities commissioner may be appointed and removed.(9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 291 — Authorizing subpoena and investigative powers for the commissioner of insurance and certain law enforcement powers for insurance investigators in pursuance of insurance fraud violations.(9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Discussion and Action on SB 252 — Expanding medical assistance eligibility and implementing a health insurance plan reinsurance program. (9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Hearing: SB 333 — Modifying criminal procedures relating to a defendant’s competency or incompetency to stand trial.(10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 334 — Modifying certain rules of evidence in the code of civil procedure related to authentication of records and documents.(10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 321 — Amortizing the state and school KPERS unfunded actuarial liability over a 25-year period and authorizing the transfer of $268,412,000 from the state general fund to the KPERS fund during fiscal year 2020 and eliminating certain level-dollar employer contribution payments.(10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Thursday, February 6
Ø Hearing: SB 300 — Prohibiting the sale of unpasteurized milk for human consumption. (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 302 — Granting the secretary of revenue the authority to set letters and numerals for license plates and removing the requirement that plates be shipped to the county treasurer.(8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 306 — Exempting motor vehicle odometer reading recording requirements when such recording requirements are exempted by federal law.(8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 295 — Prohibiting property tax valuation increase solely as the result of normal repair, replacement or maintenance of existing structure.(9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 548-S)
Ø Hearing continuation: SB 291 — Authorizing subpoena and investigative powers for the commissioner of insurance and certain law enforcement powers for insurance investigators in pursuance of insurance fraud violations.(9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 303 — Providing for the fingerprinting of certain employees and contractors of the insurance department who have access to confidential information. (9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Discussion and Action on SB 252 — Expanding medical assistance eligibility and implementing a health insurance plan reinsurance program. (9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Hearing: SB 254 — Concerning requirements of publication of certain documents by the secretary of state; relating to session laws, the Kansas register, proposed amendments to the constitution of the state of Kansas, and Kansas administrative rules and regulations and guidance documents.(10:30, Federal and State Affairs, 144-S)
Friday, February 7 (Pro Forma)
Ø There are no bill hearings scheduled for Friday. Many committees will meet on call of the chair.
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I had the honor of presenting Crawford County Deputy Kurt Grotheer, a Senate Tribute recognizing him for being named the 2019 Kansas Deputy of the Year by the Sheriffs’ Association. Accompanying Deputy Kurt Grotheer; Crawford County Sheriff Danny Smith, Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves, Crawford County Captain Ryan Deal, Crawford County Sgt. Matt Peters, and Crawford County Under Sheriff Scott Tyrell.
Thank You for Engaging
Thank you for all your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. I hope you’ll continue to engage with me on the issues that matter most to you, your family, and our community. If you are on Twitter or Facebook, I encourage you to follow along with the #ksleg hashtag for real-time updates on legislative happenings in Topeka.
Please know that I am fully committed to addressing the current issues in our state, and I am proud to be your voice in the Kansas Senate.
Richard Hilderbrand Kansas State Senator District 13 | 1116 Military Ave, Baxter Springs, KS 66713
Sent by [email protected]
Kansas, Schools

Kansas Students Build Own Wind Turbines in Challenge

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Participation in the Kansas KidWind Challenge quadruples
The science behind wind energy has captured the attention of Kansas students and boosted the number of competitors in the state’s KidWind Challenge from 17 teams in 2018 to 71 teams this year. The increased number of participants also prompted the addition of a fifth regional competition. Regional events begin on February 5 and continue through March 6 culminating in a state competition on April 4.

KidWind is an annual competition where student teams build and test their own wind turbines, then compete in a regional event for a chance to move on to state and national competitions.  The events are part of the Energy Education partnership between the Kansas Corporation Commission and K-State Engineering Extension with a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

“KidWind is a fantastic hands-on opportunity that allows students to tinker and experiment with wind turbine designs. They experience the thrill of scientific discovery as their designs are validated through performance testing, and they hone their public-speaking skills as they present their turbine design to a panel of judges,” explained David Carter, Director of the Kansas Energy Program at K-State Engineering Extension.

Tatum Vogel, a teacher at Dighton Elementary, said the skills her students learned from KidWind extended beyond science to include perseverance and other life skills.

“We went to the regional competition with a turbine that was heavy and barely turned. We weren’t out of the city limits that day, and these students had already redesigned the entire top. The life skills involved were priceless. They had to communicate, work together, take initiative to learn more, and apply all the science and physics along the way,” said Vogel.

Teams compete by age group, 4th – 8th grades or 9th – 12th grades, with three to five students per team (recommended). At each regional competition, the top two teams in each age group advance to the state finals. State winners move on to the national competition in Denver. The complete schedule of events appears below. All events are open to the public.

Region                                  Date                      Location______________________________________ 
Kansas City                         Feb 12                   Olathe (Olathe West High School)
Northeast                           Feb. 20                  Manhattan (Unger Complex)
Southwest                          Feb. 25                  Dodge City (Village Square Mall)
Northwest                          Feb. 27                  Oakley (NW Kansas Educational Service Center)
Southeast                           March 6                Burlington (Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant)
State Finals                         April 4                   Topeka (Topeka Center for Advanced Learning and Careers)
National Finals                   June 1-4               Denver

More information about KidWind is available at https://kansasenergyprogram.org/kidwindchallenge.

Government, Kansas

Agribusiness Development Workshops In March

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KDA to Host Regional Agribusiness Development Workshops in March

 

MANHATTAN, Kan. —  The Kansas Department of Agriculture will host four Regional Agribusiness Development Workshops in March 2020 to provide Kansas rural communities with resources and current business development and organizational contacts to assist with recruiting, retaining, and growing ag businesses in their communities.

 

Workshops will be held in the following locations:

  • Wednesday, March 4 — Colby Community College Student Union, Colby
  • Wednesday, March 11 — Municipal Building, Parsons
  • Wednesday, March 18 — Stockgrowers State Bank, Ashland
  • Wednesday, March 25 — Kansas Department of Agriculture building, Manhattan

 

“Economic development in Kansas is tied to agriculture, which makes up $47 billion of the state’s economy,” said Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam. “These workshops will help communities consider the unique needs associated with agricultural opportunities in Kansas which will create an environment that facilitates growth.” Beam added that expanding resources and education will make Kansas’ rural communities better prepared to serve as economic engines for rural Kansas.

 

Featured speakers at the events will represent the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Kansas Department of Commerce, and local economic development organizations. The workshops will run from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and will include a meal. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required to ensure sufficient food and materials. Find out more information and register at agriculture.ks.gov/BusinessDevelopment.

 

The KDA Division of Agriculture Marketing received a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development Grant to help fund these statewide workshops. Established in the 2014 Farm Bill, USDA’s Rural Business Development Grant is a program intended to help with technical assistance, training and other activities to allow small businesses in rural areas to expand.

 

KDA is committed to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and the Kansas economy. These workshops will provide support and assistance to help make Kansas rural communities more successful.

 

For additional information about KDA’s agribusiness development workshops, contact Russell Plaschka at 785-564-7466 or at Russell.Plaschka.ks.gov.

 

Bourbon County Local News