Topeka, KS- With the deadline arrival for bills to be introduced, this week saw several joint efforts on the part of the House and Senate: standing with the governor of Texas and working toward a pro-life agenda.

Resolutions this week!

HR 6035 and SR 1737 - On Wednesday, HR 6035 was adopted by the House (80-40). The same day, a similar resolution was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee of the Whole. In response to Biden's failure to protect the border, HR 6035 and SR 1737 both affirm Texas's right to combat illegal immigration and clarify Kansas's intention to stand with the state. While HR 6035 is more localized, encouraging Governor Kelly to support Texas using Kansas's resources, SR 1737 focuses on the bigger picture, joining with 25 other states in championing Texas Governor Greg Abbot's right to defend his state from Biden's illegal immigration policies.

This Week's Hot Topic - Protecting Kids Online Act

HB 2592 and SB 394 had its first hearings this week! These twin bills are working to get an age-verification requirement for access to any internet website containing adult material.

Follow Up

On Wednesday, HB 2729 was referred to Committee on Financial Institutions and Pensions. The bill encompasses both the Kansas Specie Legal Tender Act and the Kansas Bullion Depository Act. Similar to SB 303, the Kansas Specie Legal Tender Act rules that gold or silver coins and bullion (specie) are considered legal tender in Kansas. Under this bill, exchanges of one form of legal tender for another may not be taxed, nor will any person be forced to accept or tender coins or bullion. However, various forms of specie may be used to pay taxes and debts to the state. Additionally, HB 2729 allows online currency to be considered viable–provided it is backed by specie. In order to keep this specie safe, the Kansas Bullion Depository Act provides for secure depositories for gold and silver and limits the percentage of specie that the state of Kansas can invest in. Overall this bill allows Kansans more financial flexibility when it comes to investing and utilizing various types of monies.

HB 2721, moved to the committee on Judiciary on Tuesday. Like its twin, SB 364, HB 2721 changes current legislation to allow for the prosecution of child molestees at any time. According to the bill, the victim may sue for injuries or damages resulting from childhood sexual abuse at any point, and claims against abuses that took place on or after July 1, 1984, may now be brought forward.



House Bills



HB 2583 - K9 Bill

In response to the killing of a police dog in November, HB 2583, or the K9 Bill, increases penalties for harming certain animals. According to the bill, damaging or killing police dogs and horses, search and rescue dogs, arson dogs, and game warden dogs–without lawful cause or justification–is considered a severity level 4 nonperson felony. In cases of interference with law enforcement or attempting to escape a police officer, such harm to the animal is considered a severity level 3 nonperson felony. Such actions will result in at least 90 days’ imprisonment and a fine of at least $10,000. The defendant shall also be held responsible for veterinary, funeral, replacement, and other associated costs. By increasing the penalties for harming these animals, HB 2583 protects animals serving our state. The bill was Recommended to be passed as amended by Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice on Wednesday.

HB 2737 - Personhood Status for the Unborn

HB 2737, or the Abolish Abortion Kansas Act, protects the unborn under Alexa’s law. Based on biblical and constitutional principles, HB 2737 gives the unborn personhood status and the same legal protections as if they had been born. Under HB 2737, abortions that violate Alexa’s law are subject to criminal prosecution. The bill was referred to the Committee on Federal and State Affairs on Wednesday.

HB 2749 - Requiring Reasons for Abortion

HB 2749 approaches the pro-life issue from a different tactic by investigating the reasoning behind it. HB 2749 requires that medical care centers list the reasons, such as lack of financial or marital support, for each abortion performed–asking the mother to rank the top three. These reasons will be included in a public biannual report and can be used to alleviate outside motivations for abortion. The first hearing concerning this bill will be on Wednesday February 14th.

HB 2740 - Increasing Penalties for Domestic Battery

HB 2740 discourages domestic battery by increasing penalties for this crime. According to the bill, the third and subsequent instances of domestic battery committed within five years of the first infraction are classified as a severity level 7 person felony. The bill requires that, upon conviction, the perpetrator serve at least 90 days in prison. Hb 2740 will have its hearing on Wednesday in the Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice.

HB 2732 - Chaplains in Public Schools

HB 2732 HB 2732 allows Kansas public schools to employ chaplains and accept them as volunteers. Chaplains may support students and provide services and programs as directed by the board of education, the superintendent, or other designated administrators. Although chaplains will not be required to receive a teacher’s license, they will be required to pass the same background check as other school employees. HB 2732 was referred to the Committee on Education on Wednesday.

HB 2703 - At-risk Programs for Foster Kids

HB 2703 makes children in 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. The bill was referred to the Committee on Education on Tuesday.

HB 2722 - The Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act

HB 2722, or the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, responds to the New Merchant Category Code, which enables financial institutions to track the purchase of guns, by reaffirming 2nd Amendment rights. The bill forbids government entities or persons to keep track of privately-owned firearms except in criminal cases. Furthermore, the bill prohibits discrimination against firearms retailers by financial institutions. HB 2722 was introduced and referred to the Committee on Financial Institutions and Pensions on Tuesday.

Senate Bills

SB 430 - Workers' Compensation for the Kansas National Guard

On Wednesday February 7th, the Senate Committee Report recommended that SB 430 be passed by the Committee on Commerce. This bill would provide changes to the workers compensation act coverage for members of the Kansas National Guard. It would greatly increase certain categories of disability individuals: giving them medical treatment, increasing lifetime benefits, and providing coverage.

SB 453 - Social Security Exemption for Disabled Veterans

SB 453 proposes to exclude social security excluded from disabled veterans. It would also make more individuals eligible for such tax exemptions. This bill was introduced on Monday, February 5th, and will have a hearing on Thursday the 15th.

SB 360 - 529 Advisory Committee

SB 360 would enable individuals who contribute to a 529 program, ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) account, or a first-time home buyer account to select a taxable year for a subtraction modification. In SB 360, the State Treasurer would be given the power to create an advisory committee for 529. A hearing concerning this bill was held on Wednesday, February 7th.

SB 390 - Medical Anti-Discrimination

This bill would prohibit any form of discrimination against an individual who refuses medical treatment. It also would create cause for civil action to be brought against anyone who does discriminate based on the refusal. SB 390 also denies the power of the secretary of health and environment to demand individuals to quarantine or isolate. In fact, any such actions against an individual would have penalties. A hearing on this bill will be held on Wednesday, February 14th.

SB 391 - Constitutional Right to Health Freedom Act 

SB 391 would act upon our constitutional right to the health freedom act by prohibiting the secretary of health and environment from quarantining individuals and penalizing such quarantines. A hearing for this bill will be held on Thursday February 15th.



SB 470 - Wichita Technical Institute

Kansas Senator Renee Erickson introduced SB 470 on Tuesday February 6, and the bill was subsequently referred to the Committee on Education. SB 470 would designate Wichita Technical Institute as an eligible postsecondary educational institute.

SB 469 - Education Freedom

SB 469 establishes the Sunflower Education Equity Act. This bill is a huge step in bringing educational choice back to the parents and students rather than allowing the State to control education. This bill is to establishes an education savings account for certain students. Additionally, this education freedom bill guarantees the parents' right to choose at what level their child needs to be. Every child is unique, learns uniquely, and needs specific help. SB 469 was introduced on Tuesday February 6th and referred to the Senate Committee on Education.

Upcoming Topics

SB 425 and HB 2653, twin bills which promote the pro-life agenda by requiring child support for the unborn, will have their hearings on Monday and Thursday next week, respectively. On Monday, February 12, there will be a hearing for SB 425 and HB 2653 will have it's hearing on Thursday February 15th!

Events

We are excited to have you all join us for our 5th meeting of the 2024 session! We will be meeting in David Kensinger's office on the fifth floor of 825 S. Kansas this Monday night, February 12th at 5 p.m.. Our guest speaker this week will be Roy Lamar with the Foundation for Government Accountability. See you all there!

Please check out the links below and contact your representative and senator with any ideas or concerns you may have.



Who is my rep/senator?

What does my district's map look like now? (Click on your rep, then map)

What committees are there, and who's on them?

Transparency, Evidence, and Resources

Website:

http://www.kslegislature.org

https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hr6030/

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