Stakeholders can discuss future transportation priorities at Local Consult meetings
A series of Local Consult meetings hosted by the Kansas Department of Transportation will give citizens a chance to discuss regional transportation priorities and participate in scenario planning for the future.
“These meetings are an important opportunity for stakeholders to help set the vision for transportation in Kansas,” said Secretary of Transportation Julie Lorenz. “This is a transformational time in transportation, and we need you to help chart our success into the future.”
At the meetings, stakeholders will review facts and trends and explore alternative future possibilities through scenario planning. Stakeholders will also have the opportunity to present information about transportation projects not discussed during last fall’s Joint Legislative Transportation Vision Task Force meetings.
“I strongly encourage you to attend KDOT’s upcoming local consult meetings, so we hear your thoughts and create a transportation system that works for all Kansans, regardless of where they live,” said Gov. Laura Kelly.
The Local Consult meetings are scheduled to take place in August in Salina, Hutchinson, Independence, Overland Park, Topeka, Wichita, Dodge City and Hays. A list of the dates, times, locations and a map are below.
If possible, please contact Mike Moriarty, KDOT Chief of Transportation Planning, at 785-296-8864 or [email protected] to let us know which meeting you plan to attend.
Meeting schedule –
Salina – Monday, Aug. 19
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Kansas Highway Patrol Academy, 2025 East Iron
Hutchinson – Tuesday, Aug. 20
9 a.m. – Noon, Atrium Hotel & Conference Center, 1400 North Lorraine St.
Independence – Wednesday, Aug. 21
9 a.m. – Noon, Independence Civic Center, 410 N. Penn Ave.
Overland Park – Thursday, Aug. 22
9 a.m. – Noon, Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty Street
KDOT program will replace and rehabilitate deficient bridges on a local road system.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has reinstated a popular program designed to help replace and rehabilitate city and county deficient bridges. KDOT Secretary Julie Lorenz announced the program today at an event in Butler County joined by leaders from the Kansas Association of Counties, the Kansas County Highway Association and the Kansas Contractors Association.
The Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program is a $5 million state-funded program that helps cities and counties by providing up to $150,000 toward the replacement or rehabilitation of a bridge on the local roadway system. To qualify, bridges must be rated as deficient, have a daily vehicle count of less than 100 and be 20 to 50 feet in length. Cities and counties can garner an additional $50,000 by closing a deficient bridge. Local jurisdictions that are awarded funds must provide a 10 percent match.
“Kansas’ local road system is critical for getting people and goods where they need to go,” said Gov. Laura Kelly regarding the program. “I’m pleased to see state and local government working together and combining resources to replace aging infrastructure – creating healthier communities and economies.”
Funding for the program is part of the $216 million in sales tax authorized by Gov. Kelly to remain in the state highway fund in fiscal year 2020. Those funds will be used to increase highway preservation, help complete delayed T-WORKS projects, improve safety and provide new funding opportunities for cities and counties.
“This was a popular program when it was offered in 2014 and I’m very happy that we’re able to bring it back,” said Secretary Lorenz. “Reinstating the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program was one of the top recommendations coming out of last year’s Joint Legislative Vision Task Force and is a great way for us to work together with cities and counties to address needed improvements.”
There are approximately 19,000 bridges on Kansas’ local road systems. About 20 percent – or 3,800 — of those bridges are in poor condition – or unable to meet today’s weight and vehicle requirements.
Under the previous program, 110 bridges were replaced or permanently closed during the two years it operated.
“The counties are excited and appreciative of this new bridge replacement program,” said Justin Mader, Saline County Engineer and president of the Kansas County Highway Association. “It will be good for agriculture, good for safety, will put construction workers to work and boost the Kansas economy while building and rehabilitating bridges that will benefit Kansas for decades into the future.”
Applications will be accepted through mid-September and KDOT will select projects in early October. Details are posted on KDOT’s website and can be seen at the links below:
Governor ends Emergency Declaration at El Dorado Correctional Facility
The Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) has notified the President of the Kansas Organization of State Employees (KOSE), Sarah LaFrenz, that improvements in staffing levels at the El Dorado Correctional Facility will allow the Department to return to eight-hour shifts for security staff.
“There are many people to thank for their support during this emergency, first and foremost our employees,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Under very difficult circumstances, our employees demonstrated their commitment to each other and to the safety of their fellow Kansans.”
Uniformed staff vacancies at El Dorado have been reduced from 75 on June 17, 2019, to 50 on July 29, 2019. The reduction is attributed to the commitment of funding by Governor Kelly and the 2019 Kansas Legislature. That funding increase allows KDOC to be more competitive in the job market by offering starting wages of $18.26 per hour, an increase from $15.75.
“We are encouraged to see this administration and Acting Secretary Jeff Zmuda take seriously the issues at EDCF and our other Kansas Correctional facilities, as well as the safety of our Kansas workers,” LaFrenz said. “We look forward to working collaboratively with KDOC both currently and in the future.”
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) between KOSE and KDOC requires a 45-day notice before implementing this change, which would end scheduled 12-hour shifts beginning October 6, 2019. This will provide time for staff to express their preference for a specific post.
“In my first weeks at KDOC, I have appreciated the open dialogue and collaboration between KOSE and KDOC and look forward to our continued work together,” Zmuda said.
KDOC is experiencing reduced vacancies at facilities across Kansas. On June 17, 2019, a total of 342 uniformed positions were vacant compared to 252 on July 29, 2019, a 26.3% improvement
Governor orders flags lowered honoring the victims of El Paso and Dayton shootings
In accordance with Executive Order 10-12, and in coordination with the proclamation signed by President Donald Trump, Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags throughout the State of Kansas to be flown at half-staff starting immediately and ending at sunset on August 8, 2019, in honor of the victims in the El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio shooting.
“My thoughts go out to the people of El Paso and Dayton today. And, to everyone touched by these tragedies,” Kelly said. “This is not normal. We are in the midst of a public health crisis and we should not wait for another gun-related tragedy to occur to take action. It’s time we do something about this before it’s too late. It’s time to implement real, common sense gun-safety laws.”
State Library of Kansas Announces New Resources for Students
TOPEKA – Back to school means back to homework and the State Library of Kansas is ready to help. New five-year contracts for online resources went into effect on August 1, 2019. The State Library is pleased to provide access to more than 60 online databases to all Kansans at no charge. All Kansans can access these resources online at https://kslib.info or via their local library’s website.
“We’re excited to maintain subscriptions to resources that our patrons and Kansas libraries have come to expect, while also adding several new topic areas and key collections,” said State Librarian Eric Norris. “Kansas students now have a wider variety of resources to help them with their research needs.”
These new resources provide Kansas residents and students with reliable, high-quality content that supports education, lifelong learning, and personal enrichment.
Resources now available:
Issues & Controversies helps student researchers understand today’s crucial issues by exploring hundreds of hot topics. The in-depth articles present both sides of each issue clearly and without bias, supported by primary sources, statistics, audio content, and breaking news.
The Mailbox® School and District Edition is a teacher-created, editor-reviewed resource that offers unlimited access to worksheets, crafts, forms, songs, games, graphic organizers, and more for prekindergarten to sixth grade.
World News Digest has been a go-to resource for context and background on key issues of both historical events and breaking news. Highlights include an editorial newsfeed featuring current U.S. and international newspaper editorials and a collection of historical video footage.
The World Almanac is a classic reference tool. With age-specific resources, users can choose the right resources for their needs. The Kids edition provides resources for homework, reports, and projects as well as support material for teachers. The Kids Elementary edition is aimed at intermediate-level students.
Bloom’s Literature offers complete, yet curated, coverage of the most-studied authors and works—with a wide range of reference essays and scholarly criticism, full-length videos of classic plays, the full contents of classic works of literature, suggested essay topics, and more.
Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center’s unprecedented depth of coverage is organized into three main sections—Industries and Careers, Plan Your Education, and Launch Your Career—with industry and professions articles, school planning resources, and other valuable material.
Read It! is designed for middle and high school students and adults who have a basic foundation in English grammar and reading, but need adapted reading material for a variety of subjects. It offers resources to build background knowledge, conduct research, and improve study skills.
Health Reference Center includes comprehensive, in-depth coverage of body systems, current health issues, major diseases and conditions, treatments, and procedures, as well as health and nutrition information.
US Newsstream provides more than 1,000 national and regional news sources from the U.S. and includes popular titles such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Newsday, and Chicago Tribune.
Fold3 is a resource for genealogists, historians, veterans, and their families. It provides access to US military records, including stories, photos, and personal documents of those who served. Content begins with the Revolutionary War and continues to the present.
TOPEKA – The state begins Fiscal Year 2020 with total tax collections of $496.2 million, which is $2.0 million, or 0.39% above estimates. Total tax collections were $2.9 million, or 0.57%, below the amount collected in July 2018.
Retail sales tax collections were $204.6 million and are down 0.21% from the $205.0 million estimate; and use tax collections were $39.0 million and are $3.0 million, or 8.29% higher than the $36.0 million estimate.
Individual income tax collections were $224.2 million, about $0.8 million below the estimate. Corporate income tax was also about $0.8 million below the estimate with collections of $15.2 million, but were 6.50% greater than the previous July.
“Receipts are holding steady as we start the new fiscal year,” Secretary Mark Burghart said.
Nominations Now Being Accepted for Kansas Health Champion Awards
Exceptional efforts to promote health and fitness in Kansas to be recognized
TOPEKA – The Governor’s Council on Fitness is now accepting nominations for its annual Kansas Health Champion Awards. Awards are given to individuals and organizations that make an exceptional effort to model, encourage and promote health and fitness in Kansas. The deadline for nominations is September 30. Award recipients will be recognized at the Community Health Promotion Summit on January 30 in Wichita.
“The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is excited to partner in this important initiative to recognize those who make healthy living in our state a priority,” said KDHE Secretary Lee Norman, MD. It’s important that we recognize their efforts and the difference they are making in their communities.”
Nominees shall have demonstrated:
Work that goes above and beyond what is expected to model, encourage and promote fitness
Work that helps overcome health inequities
Sustainable influence or activity
Far-reaching health impact
“In addition to promoting effective models for increasing physical activity, nutrition and tobacco-free living for replication by organizations and communities around the state, the awards also allow us the opportunity to honor the outstanding work of one individual and one organization this year,” said Marlou Wegener, Chair of the Governor’s Council on Fitness and Manager of Community Relations, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. Eligible nominees might include an outstanding volunteer, a school, a local community, a newspaper or individual reporter, a local or State policy maker, or an employer, among others.
For more information and to submit a nomination, go to getactivekansas.org and click on the nomination form link. If you have questions about the nomination process, contact Connie Satzler at 785-587-0151.
The Governor’s Council on Fitness advises the Governor and others on ways to enhance the health of all Kansans through promotion of physical activity, good dietary choices and prevention of tobacco use.
Secretary David Toland Awards Community Service Tax Credits to Kansas Non-profits
Topeka, Kan. – Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today the award of Community Service Tax Credits (CSP) to 17 non-profit organizations to support education, healthcare and housing projects across the state.
CSP is a tool that dramatically enhances fundraising efforts, providing a 70% tax credit to qualified donors in rural communities of less than 15,000 population and 50% in larger communities. For example, a donor making a $100 gift in a rural community receives a $70 tax credit when they file their state taxes, making the net cost to the donor only $30.
“These nonprofit organizations provide so much to their communities,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “We must do everything we can to support them. Community Service Tax Credits will help build stronger communities and a stronger state.”
“Community Service Tax Credits are a powerful tool to fuel the success of important projects that support the quality of life in communities large and small,” Secretary Toland said. “I’m proud that these projects are both a reflection of Governor Kelly’s priorities and of the priorities of the communities. I wish we had the funds to assist everyone who applied. Many more applicants presented important and worthy projects that we were unable to fund this year.”
Awarded companies were chosen through a competitive, score-based selection process.
For this fiscal year, the Department of Commerce is fully disbursing all CSP funds. Due to the amount of funds allocated, 17 of the 39 requested projects (constituting 21.2% of the total funds requested) are being awarded.
The awarded companies and the indicated need for funds are as follows:
Camp Wood Young Men’s Christian Association (Elmdale) – Increasing capacity and safety through the Next Century Campaign, which aims to address both needs and be the final piece of renovations that will have improved every area of the 104-year-old statewide facility.
Carpenter Place, Inc. (Wichita) – Building a new cottage to provide a safe and secure home, provide individualized bedrooms for each resident and increase the capacity of residents. Because this organization serves girls through the age of 18, a potential liability is created when residents must share a bedroom. The new cottage with individualized bedrooms will eliminate this important safety concern.
Center City Academy, Inc. (Wichita) – Purchasing land and building/equipping a building to provide a high-quality early learning experience for children whose parents live and/or work in the downtown area. At least 50% of the children will come from low-income families who cannot afford childcare and preschool education that prepares their children to enter the Wichita public school system.
Florence Crittenton Services of Topeka, Inc. (Topeka) – Increasing Psychiatric Residential Treatment Program (PRTF) capacity by repurposing a residential unit for PRTF beds, finishing an unfinished basement area for more space to accommodate the increase in programming, replacing carpeting/flooring in high traffic areas of the building, and adding additional parking to accommodate increased staff and visitor traffic.
Interfaith Housing & Community Services, Inc. (Hutchinson) – Creating transitional housing in the form of 600 square-foot EcoHomes. The homes will be located in a designated neighborhood re-investment area and on empty lots where public infrastructure is already in place. A potential site has been properly identified through a land bank in Hutchinson and other lots will be considered in rural communities within a 100-mile radius of Hutchinson.
Labette Health (Oswego) – Construction of a Rural Health Clinic and Express Care in Oswego, KS. Located in Southeast Kansas, Oswego is a historically medically underserved community, according to HRSA. On February 14, 2019, Oswego Community Hospital abruptly closed, which left citizens of Oswego without access to primary or express care.
The Minneola Den, Inc. (Minneola) – Renovation of the facility in which The Den operates, to expand the program area to the north space to create a covered/concrete outdoor activity area, and to provide interior furnishing and upgrades to create an accessible restroom and to establish and expand program areas on the main and basement floors. The renovation will include engineering and design, demolition and site preparation, excavation and waterproofing of basement walls, and sheeting of existing walls of The Den on the north and west.
Morris County Hospital Foundation (Council Grove) – Restoration and re-opening of the White City and Alta Vista Clinics, which have been closed for several years.
Moundridge Manor Inc. (Moundridge) – Replacing the HVAC system in two wings to significantly increase the comfort of the frail and disabled seniors by enabling each resident room to have individualized climate control. Residents do not currently have control over the temperature in their room as each side of each wing is controlled by a single thermostat, which results in varying temperatures that are not always to everyone’s comfort.
Pleasant View Home Inc. (Inman) – Replacing the main generator (in place since 1959) and two fire panels (more than 20 years old) in order to ensure the safety of the more than 200 residents living on campus.
See to Learn Foundation (Topeka) – Ensure funding is provided to help provide Kansas children access to appropriate eye care. Vision problems affect one in five children in Kansas schools each year. Left unchecked, they can limit a child’s ability to succeed in school and can lead to self-esteem issues and behavior problems. These vision issues can affect any child, regardless of income or ability to pay.
SOS, Inc. (Lyndon) – Renovation of a newly acquired facility for Advocacy, Education and Outreach Services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Last year SOS, Inc., provided 18,134 services including crisis intervention, court support, safety plans, support groups, therapy services, 24-hour hotline, trauma services and more. This renovation project will bring all Advocacy and Outreach Services under one roof and help streamline operations in order to deliver services to more people in need.
Spearville Senior Living, Inc. (Spearville) – Construction and operations of a 12-bed skilled nursing unit and a 12-apartment assisted living complex using the “Greenhouse” model of resident-centered care. In addition to caring for 24 elderly residents, the new facility intends to offer more than 20 new jobs to residents of the Spearville area.
Starkey, Inc. (Wichita) – Creation of a new 20,000-square foot facility for the Life Enrichment program to support the daily needs of 250 people with goal-setting and skill-building activities. A new purpose-built facility would provide essential supports for the basic needs of the persons served, as well as provide new opportunities for living a full life. Program spaces would include small-group activity rooms where people could focus on specialized activities and tasks, but still have a multipurpose common space for activities and dining.
William Newton Memorial Hospital (Winfield) – Purchasing equipment necessary for a Cath Lab in the new expanded Surgical Center. This equipment will allow the Cath Lab to provide critical services for the area, as this organization would be the only one to offer that service.
Transition Plus Association (Summerfield) – Creation of growing towers that provide state-of-the-art indoor ability to grow vegetables three times faster than usual, allowing for more profit and sustainability of the business. They will be housed in the former school gym, where transitioning military can train in the methods of care, harvest and distribution. They can then take that knowledge with them and become vegetable farmers without needing to own expensive land or costly farm machinery, thereby eliminating two of the greatest barriers to new farmers.
About the Community Service Tax Credit Program (CSP)
Each year since 1994, the Kansas Community Service Program has given nonprofit organizations a way to improve their ability to undertake major capital fundraising drives for various projects. Tax credits are allocated each year and awarded on a competitive application basis to nonprofit organizations.
Projects eligible for tax credit awards include community service, crime prevention, health care, and youth apprenticeship and technical training. Based on the scope and cost of the proposed project, 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% credit. Applicant organizations in non-rural areas are eligible for a 50% credit.
Scores are tallied based on the following criteria, among others:
Need of the project
Solution compatibility (will this solution solve the need)
Study area identified and drinking water testing opportunities available
More than 15 years ago data was collected by the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) on the declining quality of groundwater in the Arkansas River region due to naturally occurring sources. The Kansas Water Office along with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Kansas Department of Agriculture will be working with KGS and Groundwater Management District No. 3 in a two-year study to collect current, updated data in the areas adjacent to the river and surface irrigation canals in Hamilton, Kearny, Finney, Gray, and Ford counties in response to a legislative resolution passed this past 2019 session, Senate Resolution No. 1729.
In an effort to help update data, a study area has been identified and the state of Kansas is providing the opportunity for domestic well owners in those areas who use their well(s) for drinking water purposes to have their water tested for free. Test results will be provided back to the well owner and used in the broader study to determine overall regional groundwater quality. Please note, water from public water supply systems is routinely tested and meets all safe drinking water standards, and therefore is not included in this study.
The state is working with the five listed county health departments and conservation districts have water sampling kits available to private well owners. This will be a phased approach starting with Hamilton County, followed by Kearny, Finney, Gray and Ford. Those who use their well(s) for drinking water purposes are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to help update the water quality data in this study area. Participation in this study is voluntary.
Sample kits will be available beginning in Hamilton County on August 19 with the other counties to follow.
In a significant legislative victory for The American Legion, President Trump signed a bill July 30 that declares the United States has been in a state of war since Dec. 7, 1941.
The American Legion sought the declaration as a way to honor approximately 1,600 U.S. service members who were killed or wounded during previously undeclared periods of war.
The LEGION Act (Let Everyone Get Involved In Opportunities for National Service Act) also opens the door for approximately 6 million veterans to access American Legion programs and benefits for which they previously had not been eligible.
“Recognizing the service of these wartime veterans is the right thing do and it is long overdue,” National Commander Brett Reistad said. “The families of those who were killed or wounded during these wartime acts should take pride in knowing that we recognize their sacrifice and service. Moreover, we are proud to welcome any of the six million living veterans from the previously unrecognized periods into our organization and call them ‘Legionnaires.’”
Now that the legislation has been signed, The American Legion’s eligibility criteria immediately changes from seven war eras to two: April 6, 1917, to Nov. 11, 1918, and Dec. 7, 1941 to a time later determined by the federal government. No other restrictions to American Legion membership are changed.
The law’s journey began on Feb. 14 when Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., introduced S. 504, along with Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C. A companion measure, H.R. 1641, was introduced in the House by Reps. Lou Correa, D-Calif., and Ben Cline, R-Va.
Reistad expressed gratitude to the bipartisan members of Congress for passing the legislation.
“We are grateful that President Trump fully acknowledges the importance of The American Legion by signing the LEGION Act in the White House today – just one week after it passed the House of Representatives,” Reistad said. “In an era of partisan gridlock, Republicans and Democrats in Congress overwhelmingly recognized the importance of allowing thousands of honorable but previously ineligible veterans the right to join the largest and most influential veterans organization in the country.”
Reistad pointed out that existing American Legion membership applications are in the process of being updated but can still be used. “In the meantime, I recommend that prospective Legionnaires and recruiters write ‘LEGION Act’ in the eligibility date section of American Legion membership applications if they fall outside the previous war eras,” Reistad said. “The larger pool of veterans now eligible for The American Legion will also open their family members to eligibility in the Sons of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary as well.”
Any Veteran who has served one day on active duty and was honorably discharged can now join the American Legion.
We have quite a few Bourbon County Veterans who can now join the Fort Scott American Legion. I already have four area Veterans ready to join our Post. Reach out to Veterans you know and ask them to join us.
Contact me for membership applications OR invite them to our next meeting on Monday, August 5 at 7 pm. All they need in order to join our Post is proof of honorable service and their first year’s dues of $40
Hay bales, wheat, soybeans, and corn, those are the normal scenes in rural Kansas during the summertime.
But a new alternative crop is possible in the summer of 2019.
Hemp production has come to Kansas following Former Governor John Colyer’s enactment of the Alternative Crop Research Act in April 2018.
Bourbon County Counselor Justin Meeks, of the Bourbon County Commission, was asked to provide information to the commission on hemp.
“Hemp is not marijuana,” Meeks said. “The size is different, the hemp plant is much bigger. And you can’t get high from hemp.”
There are three people, called licensees, legally planting hemp in Bourbon County, according to Jason Walker, Public Relations Director for the Kansas Department of Agriculture.
Regulations and procedures for planting hemp in Kansas are quite rigorous, Meeks stated.
None the less, there are those who have started planting.
“As of July 22, 2019, the Kansas Department of Agriculture has received the notification, through required planting reports, that roughly 1170 acres of industrial hemp have been planted in Kansas,” Walker said. He noted that 65 acres are licensed (potential) acres in Bourbon County.
Joe Bisogno, Jr. started growing hemp on eight acres on a small acreage in Bourbon County this month, he said.
He prefers not to give the location of the area where he is growing the hemp “So people won’t try to come to look at it,” he said.
“When you license to grow hemp, you can’t have anybody in the designated area, they can’t come on the property,” Bisogno said.
“The application process involves each person that touches the field (where hemp is produced) has to get a background check,” Meeks said.
Bisogno said he traveled the country to see how to plant, process and harvest the plant first hand, before taking the plunge into growing hemp.
“Joe Bisogno Jr. and Joe Bisogno Sr. have done a lot of work at the legislative level for hemp production,” Meeks said. “They deserve credit for that.”
The recent planting on Joe Jr.’s small acreage is for research purposes, he said.
“I’m doing research on the hemp,” he said. “I plan to compare how hemp grows in two different soil types.”
Bisogno is planting the hemp for economic reasons.
“You can make money on a small acreage,” he said.
“It’s easily a billion-dollar industry,” Meeks, said. “There are thousands of articles that can be made from hemp, such as flooring and clothing.”
Here is the history of how Kansans came to grow hemp, provided by Kansas government links.
Then-Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. signed Senate Bill 263 ( K.S.A. 2-3901 et seq.) in April 2018, which enacted the Alternative Crop Research Act allowing the Kansas Department of Agriculture to oversee the cultivation of industrial hemp in a research program, according to the website https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/plant-protect-weed-control/industrial-hemp
“The KDA legal staff and plant protection and weed control program staff quickly began the process of developing regulations and other administrative documents and procedures to guide the Alternative Crop Research Act, according to the website.
“Since that time, KDA staff participated in more than 14 public outreach events across the state, which began with an open dialogue and information exchange at a public forum May 11 and included a public hearing prior to publishing the regulations.
“The regulations were approved by the Department of Administration and the Attorney General and reviewed by the Legislative Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and Regulations before final regulations were published in the Kansas Register on Jan. 24, 2019. They became effective on Feb. 8, 2019, 15 days following their publication.
“The Industrial Hemp Research Program became possible because the 2014 Farm Bill included a section to allow for universities and state departments of agriculture to begin cultivating industrial hemp for purposes of research, provided that the growing and cultivating of industrial hemp is allowed under state law.
“Industrial hemp is defined by SB 263 as all parts and varieties of the plant cannabis sativa L that contain a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of no more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.
“The recent passage of the 2018 Farm Bill removed federal restrictions on the establishment of commercial hemp programs and allows individual states to develop a plan to license the commercial production of hemp and further directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop a plan for states that do not do so.
“In order to establish a program for the commercial production of industrial hemp, Kansas must develop a plan through KDA, in consultation with the Governor and Attorney General. Any such plan must be submitted to USDA for approval.
“The opportunity to grow a new specialty oilseed crop in Kansas offers potential for diversification for Kansas farmers looking for an alternative crop, or for new farming enterprises interested in cultivating industrial hemp.
“The Kansas agriculture industry has developed a statewide strategic growth plan in recent years, and is committed to pursuing new and innovative opportunities to grow agriculture.
“The research generated by participants of this new industrial hemp program will be valuable data in identifying the growth potential offered in this sector.”
Governor Laura Kelly appointed Sylvia Penner and Adrion Roberson to the Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission.
“Sylvia and Adrion have a proven track record of working hard in their communities,” Kelly said. “We have a lot of work to do. I know they are ready for the challenge and will become integral voices in the discussion and work of this commission.”
Penner, Wichita, currently serves as an attorney at the firm Fleeson, Gooing, Coulson and Kitch, LLC. Previously, she was an instructor for both Tabor College in Wichita, and Washburn University School of Law in Topeka. Penner received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Tabor College, and a juris doctor from the University of Kansas School of Law. Penner has held numerous leadership and membership positions including: American Bar Association, Kansas Bar Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Wichita Crime Commission, Wichita Women Attorneys Association, Kansas Admissions Review Board and Kansas Appleseed board of directors.
Penner will fill the position of the criminal defense attorney appointment.
Roberson, Kansas City, currently serves as co-pastor of the Berean Fellowship Church and as CEO/co-founder of KC United! Youth Sports and Education Initiative. Previously, Roberson served as a faculty member for the Kansas Leadership Center and created multiple development initiative programs to help Kansans mobilize and gain critical life skills. He served as chairman for Connect the DOTTES for a better KCK. Roberson received his bachelor’s degree in urban pastoral theology from Calvary Bible College.
Roberson will fill the position of the faith-based community appointment.
The Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission was created as part of HB 2290, which passed during the 2019 legislative session. The governor appoints one criminal defense attorney or public defender, one member of the faith-based community and one facilitator to provide administrative assistance to develop a project plan and assist the Commission in its duties.
