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SB462 - Military CMV testing
SB462 had hearings on Wednesday and Thursday in the House Committee on Transportation. This bill authorizes the director of vehicles to waive the knowledge and skills test for driving a commercial motor vehicle for any applicant who qualifies for the Military Even Exchange Program. In order to qualify for this program, an individual must have a valid driver’s license, have been employed within the previous 12 months in a military position that requires the operation of a military CMV, and have completed and submitted the application for the military skills test waiver.
Sub Bill for HB2460 - Removing DEI Statements From University Criteria
The Sub Bill for HB2460 prohibits Kansas colleges and universities from basing admissions, hiring, promotional and scholarship decisions on a person’s political ideology–specifying that statements regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion should not influence the decisions listed above. However, this bill does not limit colleges and universities’ power to enforce anti-discrimination legislation, nor does it forbid faculty from researching and teaching on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Sub Bill for HB2460 was recommended to be passed by the House Committee on Higher Education Budget on Monday.
Sub Bill for SB 271 - Drones Produced in Countries of Concern
The Sub Bill for SB271 protects the citizens of Kansas by prohibiting governmental agencies from purchasing drones and essential drone components manufactured in countries of concern–meaning China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, and Russia. However, certain exceptions are allowed, such as when a key part cannot be obtained elsewhere. Additionally, the bill establishes the drone rehabilitation fund to reimburse government agencies who are required to give up their foreign-produced drones to certain Kansas universities for research. On Thursday, the House Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development recommended that the Sub Bill for SB271 be passed.
SB352 - Visitation Rights in Patient Care Facilities
SB352, or the No Patient Left Alone Act, protects the rights of Kansans by ensuring that patient care facilities allow their patients to have visitors. Under this bill, patient care facilities may still adopt visitation policies, and the patient maintains the right to refuse a visitor. The bill was recommended to be passed by the House Committee on Health and Human Services on Monday.
SB 419 - Increased Penalties for Exposing Children to Fentanyl
SB419 criminalizes exposing a child to fentanyl-controlled substances or environments associated with such substances. The bill defines such actions as aggravated child-endangerment, which is classified as a felony and thus subject to the ensuing penalties. SB419 was recommended to be passed as amended by the House Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice on Thursday.
Important Action in the Senate this Week!
SB514 - The Senate Budget Bill
On Wednesday, March 13th, the Senate spent hours on the floor working the budget bill, Sub Bill for SB514. In total, 8 amendments were passed and added to the bill. The budget directs $15.7 million toward the Kansas National Guard troops for Texas, $28 million toward the World Cup, $174.4 million toward raising state employee salaries by 5%, and $35.7 million toward state colleges and universities. Increases in the amount of $78.7 million would go to Medicaid outpatient hospital reimbursement rates, and $23 million would be designated to the waiting list for disability services. Among other spending allocations and spending cuts, the Judicial Branch would also receive 3 full-time positions as well as $2.6 million for added security. On Thursday, March 14th, SB514 passed 24-15 in final action by the Senate.
Tax Relief!
The Senators also worked long hours on Thursday to lower taxes. They passed a total of 10 tax bills, with Substitute for SB514 ultimately lowering income, property, and sales tax for Kansans.
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Probably the most prominent bill passed was SB539, or the Tax Relief for all Kansans Act. This bill implements sustainable tax reform for the state of Kansas and passed with a vote of 29-11. SB539 would change income tax rates over six years: starting with an income tax rate of 5.7% in 2024, and reducing it by .05% each year until 2029–making the final tax rate 5.45%.
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On Thursday, the Senate Substitute for HB2036 passed in Emergency Final Action 38-2. This bill creates a sales tax exemption for Kansas resident veterans who have been honorably discharged and have at least a 50% permanent disability rating sustained through their military service. This tax exemption would cover the purchase of tangible personal property and services. Exclusions for this exemption include the sale of motor vehicles, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and electronic cigarettes, as well as any purchases not made for personal use or made for the production of income.
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SB 498 was also passed on Thursday in Final Action (28-12). This bill enacts the Pregnancy Resource Act. Through this act, a tax credit would be provided for specific contributions to certain pregnancy resource centers and residential maternity facilities. This bill would also enact a sales tax exemption for pregnancy resource centers and residential maternity facilities. Additionally, this bill provides for the Adoption Tax Credit, which increases the possible 75% credit to 100% of the Federal Tax Credit.
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The Substitute Bill for SB60 would enact a back-to-school sales tax holiday and create several sales tax exemptions. This Tax Holiday would be in effect on the first Thursday in August through the following Sunday for purchases of back-to-school-related clothing, school supplies, school materials, school art supplies, computers, school computer supplies, and pre-written computer software. This bill was passed in Emergency Final Action on Thursday, March 14th with a vote of 38-2.
Follow-up on Senate Hearings:
HB2628 - Release of information in the case of child fatality
The Senate heard HB2628 on Monday, March 11th in the Committee on Judiciary. This bill would require that the Secretary for Children and Families release specific information concerning the fatality of a child deemed in need of care. This information would be given in response to an open records request when criminal charges are filed that allege a person is responsible for the child’s death.
HB2579 - Distribution of Over-the-counter Medications by Emergency Personnel
HB257 had a hearing in the Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare on Tuesday, March 12. This bill would add to the list of interventions that may be provided by emergency medical services: allowing them to distribute non-prescription over the counter medications.
HB2618 - False Representation of an Election Official
The Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs had a hearing on HB2618 on Tuesday, March 12. This bill would add to the crime of false representation of an election official, stating that “engaging in conduct with the intent to cause a person to believe that the person engaging in such conduct is an election official” is classified as a severity level 7, nonperson felony. This bill would further insure the integrity, not only of the elections, but also of the employees working the elections.
Sub for HB2512 - Saturday Advanced Voting
The Substitute for HB2512 also had a hearing in the Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs on Tuesday. This bill would require elections officers to allocate a minimum of 4 hours for in-person advanced voting the Saturday before an election. Election officers would also be allowed to provide for in-person advanced voting on the Sunday preceding an election. In the House Committee of the Whole, this bill was amended to add an exception that would allow in-person advanced voting until noon on the Monday before the election. This bill also removes language that requires advanced voting ballots to be returned by personal driver to the county election office no later than 7 P.M. on the Sunday before the election.
HB2567 - The EMERGE Program
The Senate Committee on Education had a hearing on Tuesday, March 12th discussing the creation of the EMERGE program in HB2567. This bill introduces the Kansas national guard educational master's for enhanced readiness and global excellence program. Through this program, the state of Kansas will pay tuition and fees for members of the national guard as they pursue master's degrees, provided that recipients complete at least 72 months (three years) of service upon graduation.
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