Vital Statistics Services to Remain Open, Closed for Walk-In Service
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announces that its Vital Statistics Office functions will continue online and via telephone during the two-week closure of state offices beginning March 23. Walk-in service will not be available during this time.
Those needing vital records can visit the KDHE website at www.kdheks.gov/vital to order via online, phone or mobile app.
Kansas Department of Corrections Plans for Continued Public Safety Services
TOPEKA, Kan. – At the direction of Governor Laura Kelly, the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) announced today which functions of the agency would remain open, and which would close, to help minimize additional risk of exposure to COVID-19.
As the KDOC is a public safety agency, most functions of the agency will remain operational throughout the two-week closure.
“I want to reassure the public that our commitment to the safety of this state will continue,” Jeff Zmuda, KDOC Secretary, said. “We will continue to meet the needs of those that we serve while keeping them and our staff healthy and safe.”
State prisons will continue operations, including most offender programming. Some staff will be working from home and some placed on paid administrative leave, as directed by Kelly.
Parole offices will be closed during this time, but supervision of offenders in the community will continue with staff working remotely.
KDOC’s Central Office will be closed to visitors during this time, but the office’s core services will continue.
For more information and resources related to COVID-19, including symptoms and tips for prevention, visit http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/.
Situation Overview
• This document is updated every afternoon and available on www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus.
• KDHE has created a toolkit of Kansas-specific guidance to help local public health departments engage with their community partners on COVID-19 planning. It can be found on the KDHE website: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus. New information is added daily.
For more information: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kansas Test Results
Updated 3/20/20 at 10 a.m.
Total Positive Cases
44
Private Labs
17
Kansas Health and Environmental Lab
27
Deaths (included in above numbers)
1
Out-of-State Resident Positive Cases
(not counted in Kansas numbers)
2
Positive Case Information
County Number
Butler County
2
Leavenworth County
2
Cherokee County
1
Linn County
1
Douglas County
1
Morris County
2
Franklin County
1
Sedgwick
1
Jackson County
1
Wyandotte
9
Johnson County
23
* Ford and Miami Counties reported positive cases in out-of-state residents. Numbers included in cases home states. 2
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Offers Online, Mobile Services
PRATT – While Kansas state parks, fishing lakes and wildlife areas will remain open to the public, effective March 23, 2020, all Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) offices will close for two weeks to prevent potential spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. KDWPT staff plan to resume essential business activities beginning April 6. Until then, outdoor enthusiasts in Kansas can benefit from the department’s online and mobile services, which offer nearly all of the same purchasing and reservation services available in-office, without risk.
Licenses and Permits
Kansas hunting and fishing licenses can be purchased electronically from kshuntfishcamp.com, at most license vendors, and through KDWPT’s mobile app – HuntFish KS.
State Park Reservations
All Kansas state parks remain open, and campsites, cabins and yurts can be reserved online through ReserveAmerica.com and KDWPT’s mobile app – CampIt KS.
Boat Registrations
All vessels powered by motor (gasoline, diesel or electric) or sail must be registered and numbered in Kansas. A registration is valid for three years from date of purchase.
Nonresident Deer Draw Applications
The application period for the 2020 Kansas nonresident deer draw is April 1-24. Applications can be made online here, https://www.kshuntfishcamp.com/signinWithIdentifierAndDob.page.
Visit ksoutdoors.com for frequently-asked questions at this time, and other information that will make your time outdoors more enjoyable – like a day spent fishing. Anglers should check out the Fishing Forecast page to find the best places to catch the kind and size of fish they prefer. If you just want to catch fish, type “Whatever’s Biting” into the search box for a list of the top 20 lakes and reservoirs that give you the best chance to catch a fish. And district fisheries newsletters are also great sources of information for anglers. They can be found by clicking “News,” then “All Agency Newsletters.” You can even sign up to have the newsletters emailed directly to you.
PRATT – The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has developed a plan to keep Kansas’ 28 state parks, 63 state fishing lakes, and more than 100 wildlife areas open to the public during the COVID-19 crisis. In addition, KDWPT’s online and mobile sales options allow Kansans to purchase the licenses, permits and reservations they need without risk of exposure to the COVID-19 coronavirus.
“We’re committed to ensuring Kansas outdoors remain accessible to all, and that Kansans have safe and healthy recreation opportunities during this unprecedented crisis,” KDWPT Secretary Brad Loveless said. “There’s no better place to be right now than out in nature, where social distancing is a breeze. We encourage families across the state to get outside, get fresh air, go fishing or for a hike, and enjoy our natural spaces.”
Beginning March 23, 2020, KDWPT will temporarily close regional and district offices for two weeks; however, state park staff will work in limited capacities to ensure Kansas’ state parks remain open to the public, and that park facilities are regularly cleaned and disinfected. Though often adjoined, KDWPT state parks are separate from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) facilities, which will be closed. Visitors can locate an open KDWPT state park nearest them by visiting ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Locations.
Thanks to the advent of KDWPT’s mobile apps – CampIt KS and HuntFish KS – visitors can reserve campsites, purchase fishing licenses, renew boat registrations and check rules and regulations all from their mobile devices, removing the need for in-person transactions at KDWPT offices. Licenses can be printed on home desktop printers or most can be stored as PDFs within the apps on mobile devices.
Kansas state parks offer 10,000 campsites and hundreds of miles of trails open to hiking, biking and horseback riding. Parks offer convenient access for boating and fishing, and some parks have shooting ranges. Small, family-friendly state fishing lakes are scattered across the state and provide more than 5,000 total surface acres of fishing opportunities close to home.
All public land regulations and license requirements remain in effect. Check with local governments for access restrictions to community lakes and USACE-operated parks.
For more on Kansas state parks, and other outdoor recreation opportunities in Kansas, visit ksoutdoors.com. For more information on COVID-19 in Kansas, and to sign up for daily updates, visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment website at kdheks.gov/coronavirus.
Topeka, KS – As the COVID-19 crisis continues to develop and reports of bottled water shortages make headlines, the Kansas Water Office and Kansas Department of Health and Environment want to remind Kansans the drinking water provided by our public water supply systems is free of viruses and other pathogens.
According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the state’s public water supply systems remain a safe and affordable way to access the water needed for drinking, cooking and maintaining personal hygiene during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Kansans can and should continue to use and drink water from their tap as usual as COVID-19 is not present in drinking water supplies. Disinfection processes like those practiced by public water systems provide protection that includes filtration and disinfection of our raw water supplies. These treatments are effective in removing and/or inactivating viruses.
“The state shares a deep understanding of the importance of a reliable, good quality of water and wastewater services in our daily lives and during a public health crisis,” Kansas Water Office Director Earl Lewis said. “There isn’t a need to switch your normal routine or increase purchase of bottled water to address COVID-19.”
“The track record of our municipal water systems and rural water districts in delivering good drinking water that complies with the federal health-based standards has been consistently outstanding,” Tom Stiles, Director of the Bureau of Water at KDHE, said. “For all the worries swirling about with COVID-19, the quality of your drinking water isn’t one of them.”
These are challenging times for our state and nation, but despite the many uncertainties regarding COVID-19, Kansans should take comfort in the fact that the virus does not spread through drinking water supplies. Our state’s public water supply systems remain committed to the uninterrupted delivery of clean and safe drinking water for the duration of this crisis and beyond.
For more information on COVID-19 visit the Kansas Department for Health and Environment’s Resource Center at: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus
Governor Laura Kelly announces disaster assistance for Kansas businesses and discusses banks, unemployment
Governor Laura Kelly was joined today by David Toland, Secretary of Commerce; Delía García, Secretary of Labor; David Herndon, State Bank Commissioner; and others to discuss what the Kelly Administration is doing to help mitigate the potential impact of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, on the Kansas economy.
U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance Loans
The Governor first announced that under the state’s disaster declaration she issued on March 12th, Kansas has applied for, and expects to receive, disaster assistance loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to supplement small businesses disrupted by the economic fallbacks of COVID-19.
“As Kansans practice social distancing, our restaurants, bars and other event centers will see a decrease in patrons. These loans can be used to help keep Kansas small businesses afloat when they can’t obtain credit elsewhere,” Kelly said. “During this turbulent time, our affected small business owners need support.”
Through the SBA, loans of up to $2 million would be made available to Kansas small businesses in need of assistance. The disaster declaration extends to all 105 Kansas counties, making low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital available for Kansas small businesses across the state.
“SBA’s disaster loans are a powerful tool to help our state’s small businesses weather this temporary storm,” Toland said. “The Department of Commerce is grateful for the SBA’s quick action working to make these resources available and for their commitment to keeping Kansas businesses strong.”
Once approved, Kansas small businesses can begin applying for disaster loan assistance through the SBA at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. SBA loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills. The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses and 2.75 percent for private non-profit organizations.
Hospitality Industry Relief Emergency (HIRE) Fund
The Governor also announced during Friday’s press conference that her administration has allocated $5 million of state funds to establish the Hospitality Industry Relief Emergency (HIRE) Fund to provide short-term, zero-interest loans for Kansas’ hospitality sector during the pandemic.
“In an effort to make sure all Kansans come through these difficulties together, we are providing much-needed support to businesses dealing with the earliest impacts of this public health crisis,” Kelly said. “There are more than 10,000 hotels, restaurants, bars, event centers and other hospitality establishments in need of our support right now, and we’re doing everything we can see them through this severe, but temporary, downturn.”
The HIRE Fund offers loans up to $20,000 at 0 percent interest for a term of three years to hospitality businesses with fewer than 100 employees.
“The hospitality industry is experiencing some of the most immediate impacts of the COVID-19 crisis with businesses being closed to the public all across Kansas,” Toland said. “HIRE Fund loans are available to help these businesses meet working capital commitments, such as payroll, utilities, commercial loan payments, inventory expenses and more.”
Loan decisions will made within 72 hours of the time an application is submitted, and businesses will receive funds within 48 hours (or the next business day) of an application being approved. The program is administered by NetWork Kansas, a non-profit with a system of small business loan underwriters across 64 Kansas counties.
For more information on the Hospitality Industry Relief Emergency fund, visit kansascommerce.gov/HIREfund.
Kansas Department of Labor Updates
García spoke about her agency’s role in supporting Kansans during the current health and economic crisis.
“We are doing everything we can to support Kansas workers and employers,” García said. “As we navigate these unprecedented times, know the Kansas Department of Labor is here for you – and we are ready to support our fellow Kansans.”
To illustrate the gravity of the situation, García said that last week the department received 1,296 unemployment claims. This week, the department has received 11,355 claims – an increase of over 10,000.
“We are in uncharted waters right now, which underscores the importance of us working together,” García said. “To serve Kansas workers and employers as efficiently as possible, we are encouraging them to utilize our website — www.dol.ks.gov — as much as possible.”
Employers and workers can apply for benefits, file by spreadsheet, find answers to frequently asked questions and utilize additional resources online.
Office of the State Bank Commissioner Updates
Herndon shared updates from his office, dispelled false rumors surrounding the impact of COVID-19 on Kansas banks and discussed how the Kansas banking industry is stepping up to help people across the state.
The Office of the State Bank Commissioner regulates banks chartered by Kansas and non-bank consumer credit providers licensed to do business in Kansas. It conducts safety and soundness examinations, regulatory compliance examinations and information technology/cybersecurity exams as mandated by federal and state laws and regulations.
“Kansas banks are safe and they are sound,” Herndon said. “No depositor has ever lost a penny of insured deposits since the FDIC was created in 1933. I urge Kansans to be safe, protect yourself and your funds by leaving them in your account.”
Herndon said bankers across the state are assisting Kansans by making new loans, amending terms and conditions to existing loans and otherwise working with borrowers adversely impacted by the pandemic.
“Kansas bankers and the Kansas banking industry is stepping up to help through this pandemic, and they are here to assist in any way they can for the duration,” Herndon said.
The Governor also thanked Kansas medical professionals, members of the press corps, grocery store and food industry workers, custodial staff, firefighters, police officers, state and local emergency managers, and the 21 state-active duty National guardsmen & women for their hard work.
“I know many of you are working long hours away from your family and that is tough so please know that Kansans all across the state appreciate you and all you are doing,” Kelly said.
Topeka, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Commerce announced today that applications are now being accepted for the Community Service Tax Credit Program (CSP).
CSP assists private nonprofit organizations and public health care entities in undertaking major capital campaigns for projects involving:
Under this program, the state authorizes specially selected nonprofit organizations to offer tax credits to donors making contributions toward approved projects.
This year, CSP has earmarked $1 million for childcare and early childhood development projects for services to those under the age of five. The program will award $4.1 million in total tax credits.
“Community service tax credits are a powerful tool to support the quality of life in communities large and small,” Secretary of Commerce Toland said. “We are particularly pleased that by aligning CSP with Governor Kelly’s early childhood agenda, we can support Kansas non-profits who provide services to kids whose parents are needed in the workforce.”
The proposed projects should be unique or one-time in nature and create a lasting value for charitable organizations (e.g., capital campaign, major equipment purchase, major renovation, capacity building, etc.). Eligible projects must also result in the organization becoming more self-sufficient.
Applicants may request up to $250,000 in tax credits. Applicant organizations in rural areas (less than 15,000 population) are eligible for a 70 percent credit. Applicant organizations in non-rural areas are eligible for a 50 percent credit.
Applications for the Community Service Tax Credit Program will be accepted through May 31, 2020. Awards will be announced July 15.
More information on the program and application process may be found online at www.kansascommerce.gov/csp.
Governor signs bipartisan bills to help Kansans during COVID-19 Pandemic
Extends unemployment eligibility, education disaster allowances, judicial disaster allowances
Governor Laura Kelly signed three bipartisan bills into law today in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I want to thank the Legislature for working together to fast track this critical legislation,” Kelly said. “As COVID-19 continues to spread, our response is constantly evolving. We must have a plan for Kansans who are facing so much uncertainty. The bills will help our state navigate these difficult circumstances. We will get through this together.”
Senate Bill 27:
House Substitute for Senate Bill 27 extends unemployment eligibility for workers who started to file unemployment insurance claims on or after January 1, 2020. These workers would be eligible for a maximum of 26 weeks of benefits, instead of the current effective maximum of 16 weeks.
“The fallout of the aviation industry has been felt all across Kansas, long before the COVID-19 epidemic,” Kelly said. “Now, more than ever, hardworking Kansans need the support necessary to provide for their families.”
Senate Bill 142:
House Substitute for Senate Bill 142 expands education waiver authority during disaster emergencies. Under current law, students are required by statute to attend at least 1,116 school hours per school year. This bill allows local school boards to receive waivers for this requirement under a state of disaster declaration, with the understanding that they will utilize continuous learning for their students during this time. Additionally, the bill codifies legislative intent that school districts continue to pay all hourly employees during a disaster shutdown.
“In a time of crisis and uncertainty, our schools need flexibility and support to maximize learning opportunities for students while making sure children, their families and school district employees are safe,” Kelly said.
Senate Bill 102:
House Substitute for Senate Bill 102 expands authority of the judicial branch in time of disaster, permitting the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to issue an order extending statutory deadlines or time limitations on court proceedings and authorizes video conferencing.
“This will allow our court system to continue to function during the crisis while ensuring our court employees and the public are safe and healthy,” Kelly said.
These bills become effective upon publication in the Kansas Register. A special edition has been expedited for publication and printing today by the Legislature and the Secretary of State.
State Treasurer Jake LaTurner announces operation plans for Kansas State Treasurer’s Office during government shutdown
Topeka— In response to the Governor’s order that state agencies shut down nonessential operations beginning March 23th and continuing through April 3rd, The Kansas State Treasurer’s Office (STO) will continue to serve in its capacity as the state bank.
“The STO will continue to operate in partnership with the Department of Administration to support other State agencies with mission essential functions,” stated Treasurer LaTurner. “As we learn which essential functions agencies plan to carry out we are responding accordingly.”
At this time, STO has enabled services with its banking partner to allow state agencies to make deposits directly to bank branches via drive-through services and will continue servicing ACH payments and wire transfers.
The STO will also continue to service bonds, making payments to bondholders for any bond payments that occur provided that funds have been remitted to the office from the issuer and, in the event of principal payments, the bond or temporary note certificate has been submitted to the office in accordance with the bond or note documentation.
For municipalities in the State of Kansas, the STO will be sending the regular monthly distribution for sales and compensating use tax, community development, and transportation development district tax early. The payment was previously scheduled to settle on March 30th and will now settle in the accounts on March 25th. Municipalities who receive this distribution will receive email notification of these payments on Friday, March 20th.
The Unclaimed Property division of the STO will offer limited services for the next two weeks. Kansans can search online for claims via the STO website www.kansascash.ks.gov where many claim requests can be submitted online. Claim packets can also be requested via email or postal mail. However, claim processing and payments will be delayed.
The STO will utilize this time to further enhance its teleworking plans so that services may return in full without sacrificing the health and safety of its employees or customers.
Situation Overview
For more information: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kansas Test Results
Updated 3/19/20 at 10 a.m.
Total Positive Cases
34
Private Labs
12
Kansas Health and Environmental Lab
22
Deaths (included in above numbers)
1
Out-of-State Resident Positive Cases
(not counted in Kansas numbers)
2
Positive Case Information
County
Number
Butler County
1
Cherokee County
1
Douglas County
1
Franklin County
1
Jackson County
1
Johnson County
16
Leavenworth County
2
Linn County
1
Morris County
2
Wyandotte County
8
* Ford and Miami Counties reported positive cases in out-of-state residents. Numbers included in cases home states.
2
CLARIFICATION: Please note that these mandates do not apply to critical infrastructures needed to continue operations during this pandemic.
Public health, including hospitals, clinics, etc. need to have the staffing resources to continue serving Kansans.
While KDHE strongly recommends these quarantine restrictions for everyone, we do recognize that medical care needs to continue and no healthcare facility should ever be to a point where it would need to close due to staff being quarantined.
We ask facilities to ensure they have updated their Emergency Preparedness Plans and implement protocols to ensure that no employee comes to work symptomatic.
Other examples of critical infrastructures include pharmaceutical and food supply, along with others defined by the Department of Homeland Security.