THE TRUTH REPORT

A Weekly Rundown of Important Activity in Topeka, from a Principled Perspective

Week 6 - February 25, 2024

Republicans continue to follow through with our commitment to

law and order and combat the fentanyl crisis.

-House Speaker

Dan Hawkins-

Topeka, KS - Turn over week is finished–and what a week it was! Both the Senate and the House were very busy on the floor: debating, passing and failing bills on topics ranging from forfeiture to drug abuse education in schools!

Attempt at an Override!

2284 - The Kansas Tax Relief Bill

In a sad turn of events, the House failed to override the Governor's veto for HB 2284. With the Yea votes being 81, just shy of the necessary 84 votes needed. This bill would have lowered taxes for all income levels and brought long deserved tax relief to Kansans. The legislature must have a conservative way moving forward on a plan to give Kansans tax relief. This should be a top priority for the Senate and the House! The Kansas budget can take it, so long as we don't follow the Governor's budget, and thus, we should put the money of Kansans back where it belongs. In the hands of Kansans. Tax reform is needed. Controlling the excessive spending plans from the Governor is needed. Keeping the best interest of Kansans in mind is needed.

We look forward to working the remainder of this session on paving the way to create a tax relief plan that will work and benefit every Kansas resident.

Important Action in the House this Week!

The House passed dozens of bills this week! The following are just a few of the many bills promoted by KTC members.

HB 2645 - Amending the Nursing Service Scholarship Program

HB 2645 encourages young people to pursue nursing by amending the nursing service scholarship program. The bill…

Removes the limit on the number of scholarships that can be granted.
Allows for larger awards.
Removes the requirement of a sponsor in order to receive a scholarship.
Promotes scholarships for students who do not plan to practice rural or mental health care–as well as for those who do.

On Thursday, HB 2645 was passed by emergency final action in the Committee of the Whole 119-0.

HB 2646 - Expanding Coverage by the Kansas Hero's Scholarship Act

HB 2646 expands the Kansas Hero's Scholarship Act to include the family members of soldiers, public safety officers, and firefighters who were killed or disabled in the service of the state before 9/11. This act pays tribute to the sacrifices of Kansas’s “heroes” by covering tuition and fees at the state college of their choice. The bill clarifies several terms, such as what constitutes an injury or service, and facilitates the process of reimbursing the aforementioned scholarships. On Thursday, HB 2646 was passed by emergency final action in the Committee of the Whole 118-1.

HB 2703 - At-risk Programs for Foster Kids

HB 2703 makes children in the care of the state eligible for at-risk educational programs and services. By adding foster children to the list of eligible students, HB 2703 provides additional educational resources to students who are going through a difficult period. On Thursday, HB 2703 was passed by emergency final action in the Committee of the Whole 119-0.

HB 2606 - Civil Asset Forfeiture.

Like its twin, SB 458, HB 2606 is pro liberty, pro individual rights, and pro constitution. It addresses civil asset forfeiture and specifies that certain drug offenses, such as the possession and personal use of controlled substances, do not create cause for forfeiture under the Kansas Standard Asset Seizure and Forfeiture act. On Thursday, HB 2606 was passed by emergency final action in the Committee of the Whole 119-0.

HB 2669 - The Mental Health Intervention Team Program Act

HB 2669, or the Mental Health Intervention Team Program Act, connects schools to local community health centers by providing funds for a mental health intervention team, including a licensed professional from the community center and a behavioral health liaison from the school. Together, these two professionals would work with families to develop and enact an action plan for the child. The Mental Health Intervention Team Program Act would not only increase the availability of mental health treatments for students during the school year, but it would make such treatments available during the summer, as well. On Thursday, HB 2669 was passed by emergency final action in the Committee of the Whole 101-18.

HB 2613 - Drug Abuse Resistance Education

HB 2613 changes current legislation to provide for an educator for the statewide drug abuse resistance education (D.A.R.E.) program. The educator would use the D.A.R.E. curriculum to educate public school students across the state on the effects of opioids such as fentanyl. In order to provide for such education, a drug abuse resistance education fund would be added to the state treasury, and money would be transferred to the D.A.R.E. fund from the Kansas endowment for youth fund. On Thursday, HB 2613 was passed in the Committee of the Whole 105-15.

HB 2567 - The EMERGE Program

HB 2567 introduces the EMERGE program, or the Kansas national guard educational master's for enhanced readiness and global excellence. 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. On Thursday, HB 2567 was passed in the Committee of the Whole 114-5.

Important Action in the Senate this Week!

This week, the Senate passed over 40 bills on topics ranging from new designated license plates to laws on the breach of privacy!

SB 430 - Workers' Compensation

SB 430 is a workers' compensation bill that would increase lifetime benefit maximums and disability maximums, provide coverage for members of the Kansas National Guard, and update parts of the administrative process. This bill was passed by the Senate on February 21st and moved to the House Committee on Commerce, Labor, and Economic Development.

SB 420 - Breach of Privacy laws

Originally, the law for the crime of breach of privacy specified that photographing or recording someone under, through, or in any state of undress in a concealed manner is a crime. SB 420 would remove the words “concealment” and “secrecy” from the law to further ensure the privacy of individuals. The Senate passed this bill on Wednesday, and it was referred to the House Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice.

SB 359 - NEW Designated License Plates

Like SB 420, SB 359 was also passed on Wednesday and referred to the House Committee on Transportation. This bill would allow for the creation and distribution of five distinct license plates:

Kansas City Chiefs (Chiefs)
Sporting Kansas City (Sporting KC)
Sedgwick County Zoo (Zoo)
Kansas City Royals (Royals)
Kansas City Current (Current)

SB 359 would require that the vehicle owner apply to the plate's sponsor to renew registration and pay the required fees on an annual basis.

SB 318 - Changes on Grounds to Fingerprint

On February 22nd, the Senate passed SB 318. This bill excludes certain violations from requiring fingerprinting:

Driving without a valid driver’s license
Failing to have vehicle insurance coverage
Lacking vehicle registration

This bill was passed to the House and will be referred to a committee for debate and discussion.

SB 434 - The Practice of Sugaring

SB 434 concerns the practice of cosmetology. This bill exempts the practice of hair removal by sugaring from the definition of cosmetology, thus removing the requirement of licensure to perform such treatment. This bill was passed by the Senate on February 22nd and will now move to the House.

SB 462 - Military CMV testing

SB 462 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. SB 462 was passed by the Senate on Thursday, and it has now been referred to the House Committee on Transportation.

SB 417 - Eminent Domain

In Emergency Final Action on Thursday, the Senate passed SB 417, which revokes the authority of the Secretary of Wildlife and Parks to exercise eminent domain. This bill will now be passed on to the House.

SB 352 - Visitation Rights in Hospitals

SB 352 establishes the John D. Springer Patient’s Bill of Rights. This bill protects and promotes patients' rights by requiring medical care facilities to allow in-person visitation. An amendment by Senator O’Shea was added to create a fund to reimburse medical care facilities for any federal assistance they may lose by complying with this bill. SB 352 was passed by the Senate on Thursday and awaits its referral to a House committee.

SB 391 - The Power to Require Quarantining

SB 391 would establish the Constitutional Right to Health Freedom Act. The bill revokes the authority of the Secretary of Health and Environment to execute rules and regulations concerning infectious or contagious diseases. Instead, the Secretary may list infectious or contagious diseases for the purpose of recommending ways to prevent their spread. Furthermore, SB 391 grants elected officials, such as the county commissioner’s board, the authority to order how the public responds to any outbreaks. This bill was passed by the Senate on Thursday and has now moved on to the House.

SB 458 - Civil Asset Forfeiture

The Senate passed this bill on Thursday. Like its mirror bill on the House side, HB 2606, SB 458 is a pro liberty, pro individual rights, and pro constitution bill. It deals with civil asset forfeiture and specifies that drug offenses, such as the possession and personal use of controlled substances, do not create cause for forfeiture under the Kansas Standard Asset Seizure and Forfeiture act.

Upcoming Action in the House

HB 2809 - The Every Mom Matters Act

HB 2809, or the Every Mom Matters Act, furthers the pro-life agenda by providing resources to parents of unborn children, parents of pregnant minors, and adoptive parents of a baby. Participants in the program may receive guidance on a variety of pregnancy-related topics, such as the birth process and postpartum. Additionally, the program will assist participants in obtaining medical coverage, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, pediatric care, and information on adoption. This bill simultaneously helps young mothers and removes various motivations to abort. HB 2809 was introduced on Tuesday and referred to the Committee on Federal and State Affairs. We look forward to hearing more about this bill in the coming weeks!

HB 2811 - Nurseries for Incarcerated Mothers

HB2811 strengthens the bond between mother and child by creating a nursery in the Topeka's women's correctional facility. This nursery will allow eligible mothers to care for their babies in prison for up to 36 months after their birth. The bill was introduced and referred to the Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday.

HB2813 - The Crime of Coercion for an Abortion

Like its twin in the Senate, SB 527, HB 2813 criminalizes the act of coercing a person to perform an abortion and specifies the penalties for doing so. The bill was introduced and referred to the Committee on Federal and State Affairs on Wednesday.

HB 2814 - The Kansas Ultrasound Act

Like its twin in the Senate, SB 528, HB 2814 establishes the Kansas Ultrasound Act, requiring that an ultrasound be performed before an abortion. While the bill allows the mother to avert her eyes, it does create penalties for failure to require the ultrasound–except in cases of emergency. HB 2814 was introduced on Wednesday and referred to the Committee on Federal and State Affairs. We look forward to hearing more about this bill soon!

Upcoming Action in the Senate

SB 531 - Harmful Material in Schools

SB 531 concerns children and minors. Referred to the Senate Committee on Education on Friday, this bill would establish the right for civil action to be brought against schools for promoting and/or making available material that is harmful to minors.

SB 528 - The Kansas Ultrasound Act

On Wednesday, SB 528 was introduced and then referred to the Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare on Friday. This bill establishes the Kansas Ultrasound Act, which would require an ultrasound to be performed before an abortion. Under this bill, the woman maintains her right to look away during the ultrasound. However, the bill establishes penalties for not requiring an ultrasound except in cases of emergency.

SB 527 - The Crime of Coercion for an Abortion

On Wednesday, S B 527 was introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs. Like its mirror bill, HB 2813, this bill creates the crime of coercion to obtain an abortion and penalizes such crimes.

SB 522 - Unlawful Entry to Kansas

Another bill introduced this week, SB 522, establishes the unlawful entry into the state of Kansas as a crime. This bill was introduced on Tuesday and then referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary the next day.

SB 487 - 911 Services Shared Across Counties

The Senate Committee on Utilities had a hearing on February 20th on SB 487. This bill would authorize Kansas counties to contract with other surrounding counties for the purpose of sharing 911 public safety services, distributing 911 fee monies, and creating the 911 Coordinating Council. The purpose of this council would be to monitor the delivery of 911 services to counties, establish strategies for improving the 911 system, and distribute available grant funds. By enabling Kansas counties to work together, this bill works to improve emergency services for everyone.