Category Archives: Government

Bourbon County, Government

Bo Co Commissioners Will Attend Smart Growth America Workshop Feb. 26

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: February 26, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

8:30 – 3:30: Smart Growth America Workshop @ The River Room (Commissioners to attend)

Government, Kansas

Sen. Hilderbrand’s Weekly Newsletter

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February 14, 2020 ∙ Week Five
HARD FACTS
KDOT’s FORWARD
KDOT estimates the following cost breakdown during the lifetime of the FORWARD plan from 2021 through 2030 fiscal years. Total cost: $9.9 billion
·      Preservation $5.0 billion
·      Preservation Plus $300.0 million
·      Modernization and Expansion $2.3 billion (not including delayed T-WORKS projects)
·      Economic Growth Projects $200.0 million
·      Modal Programs $200.0 million
·      Cost Share/Strategic Safety/Local Bridge Programs $300.0 million
·      Special City County and Highway Fund Distributions $1.6 billion
*KDOT’s estimates assume that the transfers to the State General Fund are phased out by FY 2023 and that the State Highway Fund issues approximately $1.2 billion in bonds.
I prefiled SCR 1601 prior to the 2019 Legislative Session. This is a Constitutional Amendment that would permanently close the “Bank of KDOT”. It was scheduled to have a hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee earlier this year, but the chair of that committee cancelled that hearing. The bill was recently moved to the Senate Transportation Committee, the chair of that committee has said that he plans on having a hearing and working the bill.
Find reliable and age appropriate information online with Britannica – Public Library https://kslib.info/ebpublic from the State Library of Kansas. Three levels of learning (Children, Young Adult, and Reference Center) offer continually updated entries, multimedia, primary –source material, maps, and links to expert websites. Double–click any word in the article for the definition to pop up with audio pronunciation. Also available, Britannica – Academic https://kslib.info/ebacademic, includes content that is more scholarly. Another link https://kslib.info/kids takes you to Britannica – School, a PreK-12 resource with multi-media content for all grades and reading abilities.
Every school and home in Kansas has access to Britannica, but if the webpages above ask for a Kansas Library eCard number, you may get one at any library in Kansas. Questions: [email protected] or 785-296-3296.
FLOOR ACTION – February 12, 2020
February 17
The following bills all received unanimous support and were passed Yea: 38 Nay: 0
SB 277 Clarifying the authority of healing arts school clinics to provide healing arts services.
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.
SB 304 Establishing a process by which a reciprocal may convert to into a mutual insurance company.
SB 326 Increasing the age for eligibility to renew drivers’ licenses online to 65.
SB 288 Designating a portion of United States highway 77 as the Cpl. Allen E. Oatney and SP4 Gene A. Myers memorial highway.
SB 315 Providing for the love, Chloe foundation license plate.
February 20
The following bills all received unanimous support and were passed Yea: 39 Nay: 0
SB 285 Extending the existence of the UST redevelopment fund and compensation advisory board to 2032.
SB 306 This bill would exempt motor vehicle odometer reading recording requirements when such recording requirements are exempted by federal law. This would replace an exemption from acknowledgement of mileage for vehicles ten model years and older and for trucks with a gross vehicle weight of more than 16,000 pounds. SB 306 was introduced by the Kansas Department of Revenue at the request of the Director of Vehicles.
SB 270 This bill would expand the opportunity for the establishment of multi-year flex accounts (MYFAs) for groundwater water right to water right users who do not have historical water use before 2009. The Kansas Department of Agriculture and the Chief Engineer testified as proponents of the bill in committee. There were no opponents.
SB 342 This bill would allow drivers’ license renewal notices to be sent electronically should the Department of Revenue get authorization from the license holder to do so. This bill was amended in committee to allow the license holder to opt-out at any time and have any subsequent notices sent by mail.
The following bill received unanimous support and was passed Yea: 37 Nay: 0
SB 305 This bill would increase the bond required for licensure as a dealer of used or new vehicles from $30,000 to $50,000. The bill would take effect January 1, 2021. Senate Bill 305 was introduced by the Kansas Department of Revenue at the request of the Director of Vehicles.
The following bills were passed Yea: 38 Nay: 1 ( I voted in favor of these bills)
SB 287 This bill would amend the Kansas Storage Tank Act by extending the time for certain petroleum storage tank owners and operators to apply for reimbursement for the replacement of single-wall underground storage tanks from June 1, 2020 to June 30, 2030. It would also extend from June 1, 2020 to June 30, 2030 the time for owners and operators to apply for reimbursement for the replacement of underground singe-wall storage tank systems with a secondary containment system. Finally, Senate Bill 287 would increase the reimbursement limit to an amount no more than $100,000 per facility per replacement work completed on and after July 1, 2020 and before July 1, 2030 and clarifies the $50,000 limit in current law would apply to replacement work completed on or after August 8, 2005 and before July 1, 2020.
SB 286 This bill would amend the Kansas Storage Tank Act by increasing limitations on the liability from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 for the Underground Petroleum Storage Tank Release Trust Fund and by the same amount for the Above ground Petroleum Storage Tank Release Trust Fund. Senate Bill 286 also extends the sunset on both funds from July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2034.
The following bill was passed Yea: 28 Nay: 11(I voted in favor of this bill)
SB 58 This bill would amend law related to grand jury proceedings summoned by petition to refer to such proceedings as “citizen-initiated,” and would specify such petitions are citizen-initiated throughout the section. Senate Bill 58 would state the person who filed a citizen-initiated petition, and whose name, address, and phone number appear on the petition, is immune from civil liability for any good faith conduct under the section and would clarify that such person would be the first witness called to give testimony should a citizen-initiated grand jury be impaneled. Written-only opponent testimony was provided by the League of Kansas Municipalities, stating concerns over the potential increase of false or insufficient allegations in citizen-initiated petitions.
SPORTS WAGERING
The sports wagering bill, SB 283, left the Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs with uncertain odds and a lot of interest still on the table. The bill essentially amends the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act to allow sports wagering to be conducted through existing gaming facilities. The bill does not extend to Kansas Lottery ticket merchants and other retailers and contains several amendments since its introduction.  It could be debated on the floor this coming week.
The state would apply a tax rate of 10% on revenue from online sports wagering and 7.5% on revenue made from each of the state’s four licensed casinos. Each casino will be allowed to contract with two betting platforms. The Kansas Lottery would continue to have oversight, which is consistent with current legislation. A bill in the House extends sports wagering far beyond the Senate bill by allowing as many as 1,200 licensed retailers to participate.
 FIREWORKS SALES YEAR-ROUND IN KANSAS
On Monday, SB 362, the bill to allow year-round sale of fireworks, was worked in the Committee on Federal and State Affairs. The bill only had two changes made before it passed through committee. The first change stripped out the language regarding bottle rockets, keeping them as an illegal firework. The second amendment aims to extend the selling period for seasonal retailers from June 15th to July 6th to be similar with Missouri statute. The original language had the selling period from June 20th to July 5th. The bill still leaves power to the counties and cities to regulate fireworks and firework sales as each municipality sees fit.
Monday, February 24
Ø Final action: SB 449 — Removing cannabis products that contain up to 0.3% THC from the list of controlled substances listed in schedule I of the uniform controlled substances act. (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 398 — Providing a refundable food sales tax credit and discontinuing the nonrefundable food sales tax credit. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 399 — Requiring marketplace facilitators to collect and remit sales and compensating use tax. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 364 — Expanding newborn screening services and increasing transfers from the medical assistance fee fund to the Kansas newborn screening fund. (9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Hearing: SB 379 — Authorizing the secretary for children and families to request a waiver from certain limitations under the food assistance program. (9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Hearing: SB 440 — Providing an additional option to fulfill work participation requirements under the cash assistance program. (9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Hearing: SB 420 — Requiring registration as a sex offender for certain violations of the crime of breach of privacy. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 409 — Making permanent the quality care assessment imposed on skilled nursing care facilities. (10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Ø Final action: 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 Discussion and action: SB 271 — Repealing the sunset provision for the high-density at-risk weighting. (1:30, Education, 144-S)
Ø Discussion and action: SB 353— Requiring the allocation of sufficient school district moneys to improve academic performance of underachieving students. (1:30, Education, 144-S)
Tuesday, February 25
Ø 10 a.m. session, on floor all day.
Wednesday, February 26
Ø 10 a.m. session, on floor all day.
Thursday, February 27
Ø Turnaround Day! All bills from non-exempt committees must be heard by their house of origin or are considered dead for the session.
Ø 10 a.m. session, on floor all day.
Friday, February 28
Ø No session! Enjoy the first break of the 2020 Legislative Session. We will see you on March 4!
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

 

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update Coffee Feb. 29

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Community members are invited to a Legislative Update Coffee hosted by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. The event will take place on Saturday, February 29, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Empress Event Center in Downtown Fort Scott.

Kansas Sentators Caryn Tyson and Richard Hilderbrand 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.

The general public is invited and encouraged to attend this Legislative Update on Saturday, February 29th. Coffee, juice and light breakfast refreshments will be served.

The event is being sponsored by the Fort Scott Professional Building and Empress Event Center.

For more information please contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 or visit fortscott.com.

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update By State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

 

February 21, 2020

You may have seen reports on the Gallup ‘Mood of the Nation’ poll conducted in January, stating that 86% of American’s are satisfied with their personal life and that confidence in the U.S. economy is at a 20 year high.  We are blessed to be in Kansas, the heartland of America.

 

Legislation 101  Senate Bill (SB) 294, the bill we are following in these updates, that brings transparency to your property tax increases, did not have any movement to date.  Hopefully, the majority leader will bring the bill above the line for a debate on the senate floor.  We are almost to the half-way point of session, known as turnaround.  Bills that have not been in an exempt committee or passed the originating chamber before turnaround will die.  SB 294 is an exempt bill because Tax is an exempt committee.  Therefore, it could be worked on the Senate floor after turnaround.  I’ll keep you posted.

 

Kansas law allows for online driver license renewal under certain conditions.  SB 326 would change the upper age limit for online renewals from 50 to 65 years of age.  The bill passed 39 Yes to 0 No.

 

SB 342 would provide Kansans an option to receive electronic notification for driver’s license renewal notices.  I offered an amendment to the bill in committee that would allow you to op-out of electronic notifications, so that future notices would be sent by mail.  The amendment passed without objection.  The bill passed the Senate 39 Yes to 0 No.

 

SB 58 would allow a citizen to file a petition requesting a district court grand jury.  A judge would review the petition.  If a judge finds the petition is in proper form a grand jury will be called within 60 days.  If the petition is denied, the person who filed it can appeal the judge’s decision not to summon a grand jury.  The bill passed the Senate on a vote of 28 Yes and 11 No.  I voted Yes.

 

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

Caryn

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.
Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda For February 25

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: February 25, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

9:00-9:45 – Jim Harris

9:45-10:15 – Justin Meeks, Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

1:30-2:15 – Jody Hoener, Healthcare Presentation

2:15-2:30 – Rachel Martin, Windmills

2:30-2:45 – Deb Lust, Windmills

2:45-3:00 – Barb Peine, Windmills

3:00-3:15 – Joe Ludlum, Windmills

Business, Fort Scott, Government

Fostering Fiscal and Economic Growth in the Community: Public Invited on Feb. 25 and Feb. 26

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The public is invited to be a part of planning for community economic and fiscal health on Feb. 25 from 6-7 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the River Room Event Center, located above Luther’s BBQ at National Avenue and Oak Stree.

“Tuesday evening is a presentation and the actual workshop is on Wednesday,” Fort Scott Community Development Director Robert Uhler said.

Smart Growth America is coming to Fort Scott.

Smart Growth America empowers communities through technical assistance, advocacy and thought leadership to create livable places, healthy people, and shared prosperity, according to its’ website:

https://smartgrowthamerica.org/

 

“We first met the Smart Growth people when we went on our first trip to DC in March of 2019, working with Strategic Implementation plan,” Uhler said.

 

“Smart growth policy can help communities save money now, reduce their liabilities for the future and use targeted investment to spur economic development,” Uhler noted.  “The ‘planning for economic and fiscal health’  workshop draws on successful private and public sector lessons to help local leaders foster smart growth communities that cost their taxpayers less to build, run and maintain.”

 

“This workshop first brings you the latest lessons in how smart growth saves money for local governments, makes money for businesses and is integral for the long-term fiscal and economic health of the community,” he said.   “Using an interactive and hands-on method, the workshop then shows how to apply these lessons in your community.”

 

The first half of the technical assistance workshop on Wednesday focuses on how approaches save the community money, including increasing tax revenues and reducing tax burdens,  attracting new businesses, increasing the efficiency of the labor market, providing greater stability in times of uncertainty and rising energy costs,  investing public funds to stimulate private investment, increasing local capital circulation and providing a foundation for long term fiscal and economic health and competitiveness, according to information provided by Uhler.

 

Participants also learn how to overcome barriers to starting community smart growth including a lack of understanding of the relationship between development and municipal costs and revenues, the importance of growing small and mid-size businesses and the role of nearness to value creation, according to info provided by Uhler.

 

In the second half of the day, the technical assistance team joins participating community members to look at the community’s economic development plans and projects to evaluate how the current situation compares to smart growth principles.

 

Working with the community, the team will create specific changes to strategy and identify next steps in planning for fiscal and economic health that makes sense for the community, which may include suggestions for changes to the capital budgeting process, permitting process, regulatory framework and direction of economic development incentives, according to the information provided.

 

A follow-up memo will measure progress and leave the community with further next steps.

 

Robert Uhler. Submitted photo.

 

 

The hoped outcome is better understanding of how we prepare and plan for growth in our community, Uhler said.

 

 

Rachel Pruitt, is the Fort Scott Economic Director.

 

The local people who have been involved in the presentation and workshop planning process are FS Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt, FS Tourism Director Alley Turvey and Uhler.

 

Ally Turvey is the tourism director in Fort Scott. Submitted photo.
Area News, Ascension Via Christi, Bourbon County, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Fort Scott, Government, Health Care

Bourbon County Takes Ownership of Former Mercy Hospital Building

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The Bourbon County Government has taken possession of the former Mercy Hospital.

Officials Introduce Innovative Healthcare Model

Mercy donates building and 1 million dollars toward a sustainable approach to rural healthcare.

Bourbon County and City of Fort Scott officials are committed to improving the quality of life for each member of the community, increasing access to affordable quality healthcare, and remaining vigilant stewards of taxpayer dollars. For years Fort Scott, KS was renowned for its healthcare. Mercy Hospital was an integral part of our health system from primary care to community benefit to leadership involvement.

 

What remains today are the caring professionals, ambitious leaders, beautiful hospital campus, and the ingrained culture of ensuring community health needs are addressed appropriately.

 

Bourbon County Commission will be partnering with our community healthcare partners, The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas and Ascension Via Christi, and higher education partner, Fort Scott Community College, in transforming our approach to rural healthcare. Bourbon County will be taking ownership of the previous Mercy Hospital Building.

 

With Ascension Via Christi and CHC/SEK occupying a portion of the facility, the county is working with other health service agencies to supplement the community’s health care needs by housing them in the remainder of the move-in ready space.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, 403 Woodland Hills Blvd., operates the clinic at the former Mercy Hospital building.

For the common good of the community, the building will be repurposed into a collaborative effort that will be here for decades to come.

Ascension Via Christi President, Randy Cason, states, “This is exciting news for Fort Scott and the surrounding communities. Ascension Via Christi is eager to continue working with our community partners here to help to find solutions for the healthcare needs of this more rural area.”

 

Ascension Via Christi operates the emergency department at the former Mercy Hospital building.

Mercy Health Southwest Missouri/Kansas Communities has submitted a draft donation agreement to donate the building and one million dollars to Bourbon County for use of building maintenance and operations. This donation allows healthcare entities to lease space in the healthcare mall at market-rate. A standardized market-rate lease has led to discussions with healthcare organizations to expand services not otherwise offered.

 

Administration from Bourbon County and The City of Fort Scott will work together, develop a regulatory board and long-term lease agreements moving forward.

 

“This project is much more than just saving a building,” Jody Hoener, Economic Development Director, “Preserving this asset allows our community to no longer be victims of circumstance, but to assume responsibility for our community’s healthcare destiny. It creates a sustainable healthcare model under one roof.” There is little doubt in the concept’s success with the right amount of support and will be used as a model shaping rural healthcare policy across the nation.

Contact information:

Jody Hoener, Bourbon County Economic Development Director

[email protected]

Fort Scott, Government

Planning For Economic and Fiscal Health Workshop: Public Invited Feb. 26 and 27

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The City of Fort Scott is hosting a Planning for Economic and Fiscal Health Workshop on Wednesday, February 26th, 2020 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

There will also be a public presentation held on Tuesday, February 25th, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Both of these events are in conjunction with Smart Growth America and will be held at The River Room, 3 West Oak Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.

There may be a majority of City Commissioners present, but NO City business will be conducted. The public is welcome to attend this event.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Feb. 20

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: February 20, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

10:30 Executive Session, Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship (Lynne Oharah, Jeff Fischer, Nick Ruhl and Justin Meeks)

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.

 

Fort Scott, Government

Senator Richard Hilderbrand Newsletter

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February 14, 2020 ∙ Week Five
HARD FACTS
Rural Broadband
·      Some estimates show that only 13% of Kansans have access to broadband internet.
·      Some counties, like Meade County, have NO access to broadband internet.
·      While multiple federal grants exist to help promote the expansion of broadband access across the country, the funds are often far too little to have a large-scale impact on improving broadband access.
Learn Online with Universal Class
Universal Class https://kslib.info/uclass is an online resource provided by the State Library of Kansas. Universal Class offers over 500 lifelong learning courses in more than 30 areas of study at no charge. Join a full course with instructors and readings or just watch the lecture videos to brush up on a topic. The wide range of courses offers something for everyone: from accounting to yoga, babysitting to parenting, cake decorating to computer training.
Easy registration and self-supplied password is necessary to use this resource and allows you to resume your work. 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: contact the State Library at [email protected] or 785-296-3296.
FLOOR ACTION – February 12, 2020
The Senate considered the appointment of Laurel Searles, as a member of the Kansas Human Rights Commission on February 12. The appointment was confirmed 40-0. Laurel Searles is the Director of Unemployment Insurance with the Kansas Department of Labor and will serve in the Labor Representative seat on the commission.
Last week I had the chance to testify in support of SB310. This is a bill that I introduced to help insure the integrity of elections in Kansas, by requiring a voter-verified paper ballot for every vote.
GOVERNOR KELLY SIGNS FIRST BILL OF 2020 SESSION INTO LAW
It may be a sentimental note, but it is worth noting. Governor Kelly is expected to sign the first bill of the legislative session this afternoon. (Friday February 14, 2020). It is SB 155 and passed both chambers with only one House Representative opposed(I voted in favor of this bill).
The law essentially changes territory assignments in order to prevent some taxpayers in the city of Valley Center from being taxed twice because of cemetery district boundaries.
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN VALUE THEM BOTH AND MEDICAID EXPANSION
Last Friday when the House failed to pass the Value Them Both Amendment, it became apparent that without constitutional protections, state funding of abortion in Kansas became a real possibility. In five other states where a high court has determined a fundamental right to abortion (this is what the Kansas Supreme Court determined last spring in its Hodes & Nauser ruling), later court orders required states to pay for Medicaid patient abortions.  That’s because federal Medicaid dollars cannot be used to fund abortion since the Hyde Amendment was enacted, which leaves the entire burden on an unprotected state with the inability to regulate the abortion industry.
Chuck Weber of the Kansas Catholic Conference pointed out, “abortion is currently a Medicaid-covered expense in 16 states,” including Connecticut where 75-percent of all abortions in 2018 were paid for by state tax dollars. He indicated that without the legislature’s ability to regulate abortion, Kansas could incur those costs as well.
TWO BILLS THAT I CO-SPONSORED ON PROPERTY TAXES GOES TO THE SENATE FLOOR
Click here to read Senate Bill 294 or paste this into your browser:
THE “SPILL BILL” FAVORABLY PASSES THROUGH THE AG COMMITTEE
A 2019 session bill that once caused controversy was amended, then passed favorably, through the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources this week. SB 153 is an act aiming to regulate (and penalize those who cause) spillage of water and soil pollutants. The bill authorizes the Department of Health and Environment to adopt rules and regulations to respond to and report the release of a pollutant.
Additionally, the bill establishes a 24-hour statewide hotline so that individuals can report spills to the KDHE and requires any individual who causes a spill to be responsible for cleaning up the spill.
The amendment that was added creates an exception for any animal or crop waste in the definition of “pollutant” and allows for exceptions for spills that happen during the course of normal agricultural activities.
The bill was sent to the committee of the whole, where it awaits the green light from the majority leader to be sent “above the line” for a vote on the Senate floor.
RAW MILK CAUSES RAW EMOTION IN SENATE HEARING
The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources heard two controversial bills on raw milk this week.  Essentially, SB 300 calls for a complete and total ban on the sale of unpasteurized, or “raw” milk, while SB 308 allows for the sale of raw milk (and advertising of raw milk) to be done however dairy farmers see fit, with the caveat that certain warning labels are placed on the product and in advertisements.
Proponents for a total ban on raw milk sales included several dairy producers, who spoke on behalf of the organizations they represent and are concerned with the health and safety of raw milk products. They say that if someone gets sick from the consumption of raw milk, the entire dairy industry is often penalized through lower sales and decreased consumer trust.
Opponents of a total ban included two lawyers, who say a ban on raw milk infringes on consumers’ right to choose what they buy, and producers rights to choose what they produce. Three farmers (two who raise and sell raw milk and one who sells goat meat but drinks raw milk) also testified in opposition of a total ban, saying they fully believe in the safety, and even potential health benefits, of raw milk.
SB 308 was heard the day after SB 300, and testimony was essentially the same. The Kansas Livestock Association, which represents a number of dairy farms across the state, offered three amendments: one technical amendment related to the definition of milk, one to create sanitary standards for raw milk dairies, and one to create a registry system within the Kansas Department of Agriculture for producers who sell raw milk to the public.
As of this publication, SB 308 is slated for final action next week, while SB 300 is not yet (and may never be) on the schedule for final action.
GOVERNOR’S BUDGET DIRECTOR QUESTIONED ABOUT RE-AMORITIZATION
On Monday, the Ways and Means Committee held hearings on SB 321, which is the Governor’s plan to artificially boost her spending by spreading out payments on the Kansas employee pension fund (KPERS) at a $4.4 billion dollar price tag to taxpayers.
On average, KPERS would receive $223 million less each year, which would mean we would not reach our goal of having it 80% funded until 2036 instead of 2029.
Larry Campbell, the state’s Budget Director, supported the Governor’s proposal saying the legislature has missed payments in the past so re-amortizing makes sense because it lessens payments and makes it easier to goal to achieve.  Legislators pushed back saying just because past legislatures may have been irresponsible when making payments, there is no reason to believe it is a good decision when revenues now are exceeding expectations. One committee member asked Mr. Campbell about the possibility of a recession and its implications.  Campbell responded saying he couldn’t accurately predict the timing of a future recession but that if one did hit the plan would “put the state in deep trouble.”
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.
FIREWORKS ALL YEAR-ROUND?
On Thursday, the Committee on Federal and State Affairs had a hearing regarding SB 362, which would allow year-round firework sales. According to the fiscal note, The Kansas Association of Counties says year-round sales increases the likelihood that people would set off fireworks when it’s prohibited, which would increase counties’ revenues in fines. On the flip side, some say it could add costs in law enforcement and the court system. The League of Municipalities is worried the bill could result in additional expenditures for local governments to enforce fireworks prohibitions because the public may believe since you can buy fireworks all year long, restrictions on discharging them have changed as well, which would not the case through this legislation.
COMING UP NEXT WEEK
Monday, February 17
Ø Happy Presidents’ Day!
Ø Hearing and adoption of: SCR 1614 — Supporting Kansas farmers in the Rattlesnake Creek sub-basin in their ongoing effort to protect their water rights and livelihood through a collaborative solution to the region’s water impairment issue. (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Final action: SB 307 —Updating approved types of personal flotation devices. (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing:SB 366 — Expanding the expedited occupational licensure provisions for military servicemembers and spouses to all license applicants. (8:30, Commerce, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 371 — Requiring posting of a human trafficking awareness notice approved by the attorney general in certain businesses and public places. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 373 — Modifying the crimes of selling sexual relations, promoting the sale of sexual relations and buying sexual relations by changing terminology from “sexual relations” to “a sex act.” (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: HB 2426: — Revising cross-references in the civil procedure codes. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 337 — Expanding the provision of the ACT college entrance exam and workkeys assessments to students enrolled in nonpublic schools. (1:30, Education, 144-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 353 — Requiring the allocation of sufficient school district moneys to improve academic performance of underachieving students. (1:30, Education, 144-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)
Tuesday, February 18
Ø Final action: 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 Update: SB 42 — Amending the meaning of the terms “rebate” and “interest” as used in the real estate brokers’ and salespersons’ license act. (8:30, Commerce, 548-S)
Ø Update: SB 168 — Enacting the Kansas home inspectors’ professional competence and financial responsibility act. (8:30, Commerce, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 383 — Providing for the American legion, knights of Columbus and proud educator distinctive license plates and providing for lowered license plate commitments and costs prior to production. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 390 — Allowing cement trucks to display license plates on front of vehicle. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 265 — Requiring the state board of tax appeals to serve orders and notices by electronic means if requested by the party. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 262 — State board of tax appeals; changing time to request full and complete opinion to be based on date of service. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 297 — Requiring appraisal directives to require compliance with uniform standards of professional appraisal practice in performance of property tax appraisals. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 548-S)
Ø Hearing continuation: SB 248 — Extraterritorial zoning, subdivision regulations; mailed notice to landowners of record. (9:30, Ethics, Elections and Local Government, 142-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 389 — Adding a definition of “purposes of sepulture” to the law dealing with cemetery corporation. (9:30, Ethics, Elections and Local Government, 142-S)
Ø Hearing: ERO 44 — Renaming the Kansas department for children and families the Kansas department of human services; abolishing the Kansas department for aging and disability services and transferring the functions to the Kansas department of human services; transferring the functions of the department of corrections regarding the juvenile services programs and juvenile facilities and institutions, excluding the Larned juvenile correctional facility, to the Kansas department of human services. (9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Hearing: HB 2467 — Removing the spousal exception from sexual battery. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing:SB 375 — Providing for the FORWARD transportation program. (10:30, Ways and Means, 548-S)
Ø Hearing:SB 384 — Requiring the state department of education and the Kansas department for children and families to prepare an annual report on educational outcomes for foster care students. (1:30, Education, 144-S)
Ø Hearing:SB 410 — Requiring publication of school district bullying policies and requiring a report on bullying incidents at each school district attendance center. (1:30, Education, 144-S)
Ø Discussion and possible action: SB 230 — Clarifying the authority of the Kansas commission for the deaf and hard of hearing. (1:30, Education, 144-S)
Wednesday, February 19
Ø Hearing: SB 345 — Establishing requirements for the effective disposal of industrial hemp. (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Final action: SB 366 —Expanding the expedited occupational licensure provisions for military servicemembers and spouses to all license applicants. (8:30, Commerce, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 374 — Allowing employees of salvage vehicle pools to perform vehicle identification number inspections. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 377 — Designating a portion of K-7 as the Senator Paul “Bud” Burke Memorial Highway. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 301 — Changing from annual valuation of property for ad valorem property tax purposes to triennial valuation. (This is a bill that I introduced)(9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 351 — Ensuring that the votes of voters whose names do not appear in the poll book and are otherwise eligible to vote are counted. (9:30, Ethics, Elections and Local Government, 142-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 323 — Altering the terms of an insurance policy not considered a denial of renewal of the policy if the insured is provided proper notice. (9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 402 — Updating producer licensing statutes pertaining to appointment, fees, licensing, renewal dates, continuing education, suspension, revocation and denial of licensure and reinstatement. (9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Hearing continuation: ERO 44 — Renaming the Kansas department for children and families the Kansas department of human services; abolishing the Kansas department for aging and disability services and transferring the functions to the Kansas department of human services; transferring the functions of the department of corrections regarding the juvenile services programs and juvenile facilities and institutions, excluding the Larned juvenile correctional facility, to the Kansas department of human services. (9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Ø Hearing: SB 355 — Prohibiting psychiatric or psychological examinations of victims of certain sex offenses in criminal cases. (10:30, Judiciary, 346-S)
Ø Hearing:SB 382 — Amending the capital improvement state aid schedule to exclude U.S.D. No. 207, Fort Leavenworth. (1:30, Education, 144-S)
Ø Discussion and possible action: SB 337 — Expanding the provision of the ACT college entrance exam and workkeys assessments to students enrolled in nonpublic schools. (1:30, Education, 144-S)
Thursday, February 20
Ø ONE WEEK LEFT UNTIL TURNAROUND DAY!
Ø Final action: 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 Final action: SB 345 — Establishing requirements for the effective disposal of industrial hemp.  (8:30, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 159-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 247 — Prohibition by cities and counties on the use of photographic traffic signal enforcement system. (8:30, Transportation, 546-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 196 — Expanding the expense deduction to all taxpayers in addition to corporate taxpayers. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 309 — Placing the burden of proof on the county appraiser in certain valuation and classification appeal hearings before the district court. (9:30, Assessment and Taxation, 548-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 412 — Permanent advance voting status extended to any registered voter but such status will end if two consecutive elections are missed. (9:30, Ethics, Elections and Local Government, 142-S)
Ø Hearing: SB 387 — Establishing a healthcare benefits package not covered or affiliated with a health insurer or health benefits plan, to be administered by Kansas state employees’ healthcare commission. (9:30, Financial Institutions and Insurance, 546-S)
Ø Discussion and possible action: SB 252 — Expanding medical assistance eligibility and implementing a health insurance plan reinsurance program. (9:30, Public Health and Welfare, 118-N)
Friday, February 21
Ø 8 AM Session
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.