Veto session starts April 10th and is scheduled to last two days. Bills vetoed by the Governor will be considered.  I am hopeful there will be property tax legislation considered, but the odds are not looking good.

The Legislature sent several bills to the Governor.  Below are some bills that have completed the process.

Investing In Kansas, HB 2125, will allow state funds to be used by local financial institutions, such as local banks, to increase economic activity by providing Kansans access to funds.  The League of Kansas Municipalities and Kansas Association of Counties lobbied against it.  They said local governments would receive lower rates on deposited funds but those opposing the bill could not provide an estimate.  It passed the Senate unanimously and the House agreed to the Senate changes.

Guardianship laws will change considerably as HB 2359 becomes law.  It simplifies interstate recognition of guardianship orders and increases opportunities for individuals subject to guardianship to be involved in decision-making.  It passed the Senate unanimously.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) will now be able to request, receive, and sign for professional samples, but would be prohibited from dispensing drugs.  They will be able to prescribe medical equipment and some drugs the CRNAs have been educated to use.  Opponents stated concerns about removing physician oversight.  SB 67 passed the Senate 36 to 4.  I was one of the four who agreed with the opponents.  I supported the legislation that allows APRNs to practice on some things without a doctor’s oversight, but CRNA dealing with anesthetists might be a bridge too far.

Prenatal and Postnatal diagnoses awareness would be moved from Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities (KCDD).  The bill passed both chambers unanimously.

Ranked Choice Voting (a form of voting that allows voters to rank two or more candidates in order of preference) is prohibited in Kansas since SB 6 became law.  It passed the Senate 30 to 10.  I voted Yes.

Move Over for stopped vehicles displaying hazard signals and proceed with caution or you could be fined $75.  SB 8 passed both chambers unanimously.

Property Tax Freeze for Seniors and Disabled Filing Deadline is April 15th.  The form can be found at https://www.ksrevenue.gov/pdf/k-40svr24.pdf.  Household income must be less than $56,450 minus 50% of Social Security, the house valued at $350,000 or less for the base year, and you must be 65 years or older or 50% or more disabled veteran to qualify for the freeze.  The base year is the calendar year prior to the year for which you are first able to claim the freeze.

Since we were able to get the program implemented, several of us have tried to expand the program so that more people would qualify.  For example, the Senate passed an expansion this year to $80,000 Kansas Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and to $450,000 house valuation – which did not pass into law.

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

Caryn