Bills Debated in the House
This past week, the House and Senate both had long days but short week. In the House we debated over fifty bills in the course of three days. Here are some details of the bills that were debated on Monday, March 21, 2022:
House Substitute for for Senate Bill 261 prohibits the use of meat terms on "meats" from plant-based food products. This has been referred to the labeling of fake meat bill.
Senate Bill 346 allows for the on-farm sale of milk and milk products. This bill also authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to declare an imminent health hazard, extending certain certain milk and dairy licensing fees, and establishing certain standards of milk.
House Substitute for Senate Bill 28 enacts the Pharmacy Benefits Manager Licensure Act and would require a license as opposed to a registration.
House Bill 2600 allows for the Kansas Board of Regents to sell and convey certain real property in the city of Emporia, Kansas on behalf of Emporia State University.
House Substitute for Senate Bill 267, the House’s budget version, was debated early on Tuesday, March 22, 2022. We debated the budget bill for over two hours and there were many amendments that were presented during the debate to increase spending and wither the ending balance. All of the amendments that increased spending in fiscal year 2023 were defeated and our budget maintains an ending balance of $1.5 billion in FY 2023.
I supported all these bills.
Conference Committee
This coming week, March 28-April 1, will be the last week during the regular 2022 Legislative Session. Most of the deliberations will occur in what are referred to as Conference Committee meetings. These are meetings between the members of the House and Senate to discuss the differences on like bills that passed both chambers.
I will be spending many hours in negotiations with my Senate counterparts in discussing the differences in our respective budget bills. We will start early Monday morning where we will begin negotiations on the nearly 125 differences. After we come to agreement, then the agreed to budget will go to both chambers for approval. We will then break for nearly three weeks and will return for what is referred to as Veto-Session on April 25, 2022.
More Bills Debated in the House
As mentioned above, we held debates on numerous bills during the week.
Senate Bill 493 prohibits cities and counties from regulating plastic and other containers designed for the consumption, transportation, or protection of merchandise, food, or beverage. I voted “yes.”
House Bill 2609 allows restricted drivers license holders to drive to and from worship services for any religious organization at age fifteen. I also voted “yes” on this bill.
Substitute for House Bill 2615 was probably the most controversial bill that we debated during the short week. In essence, this bill would permit students to transfer and attend any school in any school district in Kansas. This bill was very problematic as there were many questions as to the funding of the student and ramifications that it may have on the local school district where that student resides. Due to these unresolved concerns, I voted “no” though the bill still passed, 63-59.
Senate Bill 161 allows for personal package devices on sidewalks for the delivery of packages by small autonomous vehicles. I voted “yes.”
We also debated the redistricting maps for the House and the Senate this week. The new version for the House map, Substitute for House Bill 2737, would have the 109th Kansas House District with new boundaries. The 109th would encompass the entire counties of Ellsworth, Lincoln, Osborne, Russell, and Smith. When we debate the new maps for the Senate, we passed that chamber’s map with no changes. The Senate will now vote on these maps and they will go to Governor Kelly. I voted “yes.”
Contact Information
Anytime that one would like to participate and listen to the developments of committee hearings or discussion on the House floor, one can tune in by listening to the audio footage at www.kslegislature.org.
As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me (785) 296-7672, follow on twitter at @waymaster4house, or email me at [email protected]. Please contact me regarding any issues and legislation that we are discussing during session.
It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions. I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.
Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, is the Kansas House Appropriations Chairman and 109th District state representative which includes:
* Osborne, Russell, and Smith Counties
* Barton County: Cities: Albert, Claflin, Galatia, Odin, Olmitz and Susank; Townships: Beaver, Cheyenne, Clarence, Cleveland, Fairview, Grant, Independent, Logan, Union, Walnut and Wheatland
* Jewell County: Cities:Burr Oak, Esbon and Mankato; Townships: Athens, Browns Creek, Burr Oak, Calvin, Center,Erving, Esbon, Harrison, Highland, Holmwood, Ionia, Limestone, Odessa,Walnut and White Mound
* Lincoln County: Cities: Lincoln Center (part) and Sylvan Grove; Townships: Battle Creek, Beaver (part), Cedron, Elkhorn (part), Golden Belt, Grant, Hanover, Highland, Indiana, Marion, Orange, Pleasant, Valley and Vesper
* Rush County: Cities: Bison, Otis, Rush Center and Timken; Townships: Banner,Center,Garfield, Illinois, Lone Star, Pioneer and Pleasantdale