· The Kansas Department of Corrections recently discovered that 591 inmates have tested positive for Hepatitis C, an infection that damages the liver. It is estimated that treatment for inmates will be roughly $9 million (Wichita Eagle).
Learn Online with Universal Class
Universal Class https://kslib.info/uclass 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
EXPIRATION DATE OF RISK-BASED CAPITAL INSTRUCTIONS(SB 28): Senate Bill 28 changes the date specified in the Insurance Code for risk-based capital (RBC) instructions promulgated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners for property and casualty companies and for life insurance companies. The instructions currently specified became effective on December 31, 2017. The bill would update the effective date on the RBC instructions to December 31, 2018. This bill passed the Senate 40-0(I voted in favor of this bill).
EXEMPTING CERTAIN DOMESTIC INSURERS FROM FILING ENTERPRISE RISK REPORTS (SB 66): Senate Bill 66 modifies registration requirements in the Insurance Holding Company Act related to filing exemptions for enterprise risk reports. SB 66 requires enterprise risk reports filed by the controlling person of every insurer subject to registration, to be appropriate to the nature, scale, and complexity of the insurer. The bill also exempts the ultimate controlling person of domestic insurance from submitting an enterprise risk report if the domestic insurer is authorized, admitted, or eligible to engage in the business of insurance only in Kansas with total direct and assumed annual premiums less than $300 million; unless the ultimate controlling person of the domestic insurer also controls other insurers not meeting the requirements of the section. Stating that an insurer is not considered to be authorized, admitted, or eligible to engage in the business of insurance only in Kansas if the insurer directly or indirectly writes or assumes insurance in any other manner in another state. This bill passed the Senate 40-0(I voted in favor of this bill).
M DRIVER’S LICENSES OPERATING UNDER TEMPORARY PERMIT (SB 17): Senate Bill 17 removes an exception for motorcycles operated with a temporary registration permit from requirement for each operator of a motor vehicle in Kansas to hold a license classified for the operation of the motor vehicle. Previous law stated that any person operating a motorcycle registered in Kansas shall be the holder of a class M driver’s license; except when any person is operating a motorcycle that is registered under a temporary permit. This bill passed the Senate 40-0(I voted in favor of this bill).
CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE (SB 25): Senate bill 25 authorizes expenditures of $82,886 in FY 2019 to pay claims against the State of Kansas. This bill passed the Senate 40-0(I voted in favor of this bill).
APPROACH OF AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE (SB 40): Senate Bill 40 removes language requiring a law enforcement officer to issue a warning citation from, and after, the effective date of the act, and prior to July 1, 2001. This is for provisions requiring a driver to move into a nonadjacent lane or, if changing lanes is not possible or unsafe, proceed with due caution upon approaching an authorized emergency vehicle or police vehicle using flashing or hazard warning lights. This bill was passed and placed on the Consent Calendar 40-0(I voted in favor of this bill).
SEAT BELT USE IN TRAFFIC INFRACTION (SB 41): Senate Bill 41 amends the Uniform Act Regulating Traffic to specify the violation of law that requires seat belt use by occupants ages 14 and older in passenger cars or autocycles. This will now be considered a traffic infraction. This bill was passed and placed on the Consent Calendar 40-0(I voted in favor of this bill).
KANSAS FARM BUREAU MEMBER HEALTH CARE BENEFITS (SB 32): Senate Bill 32 allows the Kansas Farm Bureau to establish a health care benefit that offers coverage specifically for Farm Bureau members in Kansas. Senate Bill 32 aims to reduce the number of uninsured Kansans by creating competition and free-market options for health care. Senate Bill 32 is the Farm Bureau’s solution to addressing the critical need for KFB members to find affordable health care coverage. A recent study pointed out that 65 percent of agriculture producers view health care as the number one threat to the future of their operation. This bill passed the Senate 28-11(I voted in favor of this bill).
REPORTING OF MISSING FOSTER CARE CHILDREN
On Thursday, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee held hearings for Senate Bill 162, which would require foster care contractors to inform the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) within 24 hours if any child in the foster care system goes missing. The bill would give DCF 48 hours to then inform legislators, the governor and media about missing children. In addition, SB 162 would compel DCF to fine their private contractors $500 daily for violations of the proposed disclosure law.
The legislation, which was drafted by Senator Molly Baumgardner (R-Louisburg), comes after multiple reports over previous years about missing children in DCF. Sen. Baumgardner expressed the need for the Kansas Legislature to address this crisis within the state. Currently, there are around 7,500 children within the Kansas foster care system.
ONLINE EDUCATION AND DEDICATED MCO FOR FOSTER CARE CHILDREN
On Wednesday, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee held hearings for Senate Bill 122. Senate Bill 122 would require the Kansas Department of Education to track academic records, make online access available and provide a laptop for high school students in the foster care system as they transfer from one school to the next. SB 122 would also have a nonprofit managed care organization (MCO) serve Kansas foster care children under the umbrella of Medicaid.
NEXT WEEK
Monday –
· Hearing on: Senate Bill 178, sales tax exemption for nonprofit integrated community care – [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee; February 25 at 9:30 am]
· Hearing on: Senate Bill 179, increasing the married tax filer income threshold for the subtraction modification for social security income – [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee; February 25 at 9:30 am]
· Hearing on: Senate Bill 93, establishing restrictions on the use of step therapy protocols by health insurance plans – [Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee; February 25 at 9:30 am]
· Hearing on: Senate Bill 124, prohibiting the state corporation commission from authorizing certain charges for electric service – [Senate Utilities Committee; February 25 at 1:30 pm]
Tuesday –
· ON FLOOR ALL DAY
Wednesday –
· ON FLOOR ALL DAY
Thursday –
· ON FLOOR ALL DAY
Friday –
· NO SESSION
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.
