“Kansas is no stranger to the risks and impacts of wildfires,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The changes included in this bill will help better prepare utility companies to identify and mitigate wildfire risks. By taking reasonable measures, we can better protect Kansans and provide a path to recover from the financial impacts of wildfires.”

House Bill 2107 establishes a strong but fair legal structure to allow Kansans to pursue compensation for damages from a wildfire or fire event determined to be caused by a utility provider. Claims under the bill must be brought forth within two years of the date of damage.

“House Bill 2107 will ensure that utilities will be able to identify cost-effective strategies for wildfire preparedness and implement solutions that protect Kansas communities while maintaining affordable energy for consumers,” said Representative for District 94 Leo Delperdang. “Like any other business, utility companies must be able to operate with a strong but fair legal climate that provides recourse for those damaged but also protects against excessive verdicts that could negatively impact the financial health of an industry crucial to Kansas residents, businesses, and industry. House Bill 2107 effectively balances those interests.”

In an effort to better prepare the state and Kansas communities for wildfires, the bill also requires the Kansas Corporation Commission to convene a workshop on wildfire risks, utility readiness to mitigate wildfires, risk mitigation strategies, and cost recovery for the impacts caused by wildfires.

“House Bill 2107 is a smart, commonsense bill that better prepares our state for wildfires, before and after they may happen,” said Representative for District 89 KC Ohaebosim. “I am pleased to support practical legislation that works in the best interest of Kansas and thank Governor Kelly for signing this bill.”

In addition to House Bill 2107, Governor Kelly also signed the following bipartisan bills:

House Bill 2120: Authorizes the State Board of Regents to sell and convey certain real property on behalf of Kansas State University and Kansas State University Veterinary Medical Center.

House Bill 2109: Exempts public utilities from civil liability relating to the attachment, access, operation, maintenance, or removal of law enforcement equipment on any structures owned by the utility.

House Bill 2052: Streamlines the process for an individual with a provisional concealed carry license to request a standard license and addresses requirements that specifically identify off duty law enforcement officers that are conceal carrying.

House Bill 2040: Extends the time in which the state corporation commission shall make a final order on a transmission line siting application, allowing time for additional landowner and stakeholder input.

House Bill 2037: Updates the membership of the council on travel and tourism and modernizes grant requirements to allow the council to award funding to the most feasible projects in the application process.

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2217:

“It is very unclear what problem, if any, this bill is attempting to solve. Expanding the inspector general’s authority to audit and investigate all state cash, food, and health assistance programs is completely redundant, inefficient, and a waste of taxpayer dollars.

“Within the Kansas Department for Children and Families, there already exists a Fraud Investigations Unit that conducts this work with experts who have specific knowledge of how these programs work and what federal and state laws require. This bill also removes statutory protections for participants’ data and health privacy.

“It makes no sense from a legal, policy, or fiscal standpoint to make this change.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2217.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2291:

“Although I support the intent of this bill to foster an environment where our businesses can thrive, I have concerns regarding the lawmaking power of the advisory committee established in this legislation. Granting an advisory committee the authority to overrule existing law without proper oversight could lead to problematic decision-making and open the door to special interests doing an end-run around the legislative process.

“Additionally, this bill blocks any transparency in relation to the applications submitted for review which further exacerbates my concerns regarding the role of special interests.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2291.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2284:

“The bill, in its original form, contained several helpful provisions that I supported and would have improved transparency and accountability overall. However, as amended, this bill is now unworkable and opens the state up to costly and protracted litigation.

“Additionally, this bill is a dramatic overreach by the Legislature into the role of the Executive branch, which is charged with administering and executing policy. It also overreaches into the Judicial branch by removing the courts from the process entirely and vesting that duty squarely with the Legislature’s ad hoc “appeals committee” — a move that calls into question the very constitutionality of this bill by denying the rights of ‘judicial review’ to those involved.

“However, most alarmingly, this bill creates a haphazard procurement process that does nothing to mitigate conflicts of interest among legislators and creates an environment that is rife for exploitation and graft — exactly the opposite of what the existing process, overseen by the Department of Administration, is designed to do. I am happy to work with the Legislature next year on a clean bill that addresses some of the underlying concerns without creating all the legal, ethical and constitutional challenges of this current version of the bill.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2284.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2033:

“While I believe that we must do everything possible to support at-risk students, this legislation is unnecessary because its goal has already been achieved by the State Board of Education. In February, the Kansas State Board of Education added programs provided by the proponents of this bill to the list of approved at-risk evidence-based programs.

“Additionally, in K.S.A 72-5153, the Legislature has explicitly provided the authority to identify and approve these programs to the State Board of Education. Thus, it is the job of the Board to vet and approve at-risk programs and service providers. If program providers want to serve at-risk students, they should work in partnership with the Board.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2033.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of Senate Bill 79:

“This bill is simply wrong. Not only would it make it more difficult for Kansans to access the food they need to feed their families, it would also harm Kansas businesses.

“The waiver required by this bill is confusing and will cause problems for our grocers and small businesses. Under the definition in that waiver, Kansas businesses would be mandated to stop accepting food assistance benefits for protein bars, trail mix, and other food products many would consider “healthy.” Meanwhile, items like Twix, Kit Kat, and Twizzlers would still be eligible for purchase using food assistance benefits. It’s nonsensical.

“I support the idea that Kansans should eat healthier. However, changes to the SNAP food assistance program should be made at the federal level, not on a patchwork, state-by-state basis.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto Senate Bill 79.”

The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of Senate Bill 29:

“Taking away the authority of public health officials to prohibit public gatherings and issue quarantines when necessary for the control of infectious or contagious disease directly contradicts effective, evidence-based health intervention advice and would put the health and safety of Kansans at unnecessary risk.

“While this legislation is likely motivated by the politics coming out of the recent pandemic, it would cause actual harm in efforts to mitigate current outbreaks related to measles, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases.

“I will not sign legislation that hampers public health professionals’ ability to take reasonable, measured steps to limit the spread of dangerous infections and protect the health of the communities they are entrusted to serve.

“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto Senate Bill 29.”

The following statement is from Governor Kelly regarding allowing House Bill 2101 to become law without her signature:

“I have long been a proponent of local control, allowing local elected officials to make decisions for the communities they live in and were elected to represent.

“However, I am concerned that a guaranteed income program would exacerbate the current problem of disproportionately high local property taxes.

“Therefore, I will allow House Bill 2101 to become law without my signature.”

The following statement is from Governor Kelly regarding allowing House Bill 2020 to become law without her signature:

“While I strongly support processes to ensure that our voter rolls are regularly updated to ensure accuracy and eligibility, I am concerned that this legislation does not specifically address possible conflict between federal and state law with regard to the potential removal of individuals by the secretary of state.

“Specifically, this bill creates a system for regular removal of people on the voter rolls but fails to carve out protections provided under federal law and could disenfranchise eligible voters by not giving them enough time to remedy the issue.

“Given my concerns regarding potential conflicts with federal law, this bill will become law without my signature.”

“By allowing health care providers to practice the full extent of their qualifications and capabilities, we are expanding opportunities for both providers and patients,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This legislation will help address our health care workforce shortage and increase access to care.”

Current law authorizes certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) to perform certain functions only upon the order of a physician or dentist. This bill will amend law pertaining to a CRNA’s prescription authority to prescribe durable medical equipment, as well as prescribe and administer any drug consistent with a CRNA’s qualifications, among other clarifications. This new law will remove barriers to accessing health care professionals and reduce wait times for patients in need of care across Kansas, particularly in rural areas.

“Health care providers work hard to obtain the training and certification necessary to provide high-quality care,” said Senator for District 8 Cindy Holscher. “Through this legislation, we are empowering more providers to treat patients across the state in a timely and appropriate manner, which is a win for all.”

This bill was amended in the Senate to limit the privileges of CRNAs to be similar to other categories of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to ensure appropriate prescription and administrative power.

“I am honored to support our CRNAs as they work to serve more Kansans. By allowing their scope of practice to expand, we increase access in rural Kansas where anesthesiologists are hard to come by,” said Senator for District 31 Stephen Owens. “This bill will support rural doctors, dentists, and other practitioners, saving Kansans from extended travel and long wait times. This is yet another step in supporting the heart of Kansas to be more prosperous.”

In addition to Senate Bill 67, Governor Kelly also signed the following bipartisan bills:

House Bill 2152: Shifts Kansas’ investment strategy for public funds to encourage those funds be deposited in Kansas financial institutions. This change will help ensure taxpayer dollars are invested in local communities, increase economic activity in the state, and provide Kansans access to additional capital to finance investments in their home, business, or community.

Senate Bill 97: Clarifies that vehicle dealers must apply for a dealer inventory-only title for certain used nonhighway vehicles.

Senate Bill 89: Allows the Kansas Department of Agriculture to assess a participant fee for poultry producers that wish to voluntarily participate in the National Poultry Improvement Plan, a state-federal cooperative testing and certification program that seeks to eradicate disease in the poultry industry.

House Bill 2359: Simplifies interstate recognition of guardianship orders and increases opportunities for individuals subject to guardianship or conservatorship to be involved in decision-making.

House Bill 2338: Authorizes the board of cosmetology to issue temporary permits for guest artists.

House Bill 2307: Transfers the prenatal and postnatal diagnosed conditions awareness programs from the Department of Health and Environment to the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities.