Kansas Legislative Session Recap / May 11, 2018
Kansas Wraps Up 2018 Legislative Session 
Last week marked the end of the 2018 legislative session in Topeka until the legislators return to the capitol on January 14, 2019.

After a full three days of negotiation, the Senate conference committee finalized a budget for the fiscal year 2018-2019. The legislature voted on the $7 billion budget, which would appropriate roughly $380 million more in the current fiscal year, and $700 million more than the previous year.

Session closed with the rejection of a major tax bill that would have offered income tax breaks for individual Kansans and multinational corporations. HB 2434 proposed transferring the state's anticipated windfall from federal tax reforms to the people of Kansas by increasing the state's standard income tax deduction by 25%. Estimates indicated that the state was poised to receive $137 million in the next fiscal year, $179 in the subsequent year, and $187 in the third. Voted on just before adjournment, the measure needed at least 63 votes to pass, but Republican leaders only managed to garner 59 'yes' votes. Debates over the actual size of the windfall and the state's budget deficit ultimately led to the bill's failure.

Below you'll find summaries of significant legislation considered this year.

Increase in motor fuel taxes (SB 224)-
In an effort to revitalize critical infrastructure within the state, SB 224 proposed raising the motor fuel tax by $0.05. Lawmakers opposed to the bill worried that such an increase would hurt retailers who do business on state borders.
Did not pass. Heard before Senate Committee on Assessment and Taxation, March 17
Kansas Sales Tax and Compensating Use Tax (HB 2235) - This bill sought to define the reporting requirements for those retailers who are making sales in the state of Kansas but not collecting a Kansas sales tax. The bill was supplemental to the Kansas Retailers Act and the fiscal note for the bill estimated that the measure would increase state revenues by $100,000 in FY2019 and $2.0 million in FY2020. Did not pass. Referred to Senate Committee on Assessment and Taxation, January 14
Moving workforce development (HB 2057) - This bill proposed moving workforce development from the department of commerce to the department of labor. Died in committee. Referred to House Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development, January 13
Membership or nonmembership in labor organizations (HCR 5025)- This bill proposed a repeal to section 12 of article 15 of the state constitution, relating to membership or nonmembership in labor organizations. Section 12 states that a person cannot be denied the opportunity of gaining or retaining employment on the basis of their labor organization affiliation. Died in committee. Referred House Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development, February 7
Join us in Washington, D.C., for Legislative Week
Register today! Join us in Washington, D.C., June 26-28, for ABC's Legislative Week.

Now is the time to build on our victories to advance the merit shop agenda in Congress and in the Trump administration! Join your fellow ABC members as one powerful voice to educate Congress and regulators about the issues that affect your businesses and to showcase the opportunities and diversity ABC members contribute to our industry and the economy. 

We will also be holding a reception on June 27th for the Kansas & Missouri Congressional Delegation. This is a great opportunity to meet your representative in Congress.

Details and a link to registration can be found at http://legislative.abc.org.Please email [email protected] if you're interested in learning more. 
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