2024 SENATE SCENE WEEK 6
February 19, 2024
SENATE HIGHLIGHTS
This week marked the sixth week of session with the first half of the legislative session almost behind us. As we approach “turn-around,” the Senate held floor debate on Tuesday and Thursday and worked bills which were sent out of committees to the full Senate. When we return this week, there are two more days for committees to meet and send out bills for debate on the Senate floor.
BUDGET PROCESS AND TAXES
The budget committees and subcommittees continued the annual work through the budgetary process. Budget priorities are beginning to take shape as multiple committees look at the priorities for the state as FY 2024 approaches.
FLOOR ACTION – BILLS VOTED ON AND PASSED OUT OF THE SENATE
SB 1737 affirms Texas Governor Greg Abbott's right to defend the state of Texas from unrestrained illegal immigration. It passed by a vote of 26-12, I voted yes. The House passed its own version of a resolution last week.
SB 394 would require the use of age verification software on websites in which 25% or more of the content is pornographic in nature. A core function of government is to protect our children from harm, and that’s exactly what this bill does. SB 394 passed 40-0 and the bill now heads to the House.
SB 360 would allow a taxpayer to elect the taxable year in which a subtraction modification for contributions to a 529 program account, ABLE account, or first-time home buyer savings account would be applied; and authorizing the state treasurer to appoint a 529 program advisory committee. SB 360 passed the Senate 40-0.
SB 414 is a bill requested by law enforcement to help them fight the fentanyl crisis. The bill increases the criminal penalties for unlawful distribution of fentanyl-related controlled substances. SB 414 passed the Senate 39-0.
SB 419 is also a bill supported by law enforcement and our prosecutors to help combat the impact of fentanyl on our children. It would amend law in the Kansas Criminal Code pertaining to the crime of aggravated endangering a child. SB 419 passed the Senate 40-0.
SB 336 would remove the requirement for underground storage tank operating permits to be obtained or renewed annually. The bill would also repeal provisions of the Kansas Storage Tank Act that are no longer in use and make technical amendments. SB 336 passed the Senate 40-0.
SB 349 establishes an intercity passenger rail service program and making transfers annually into the passenger rail service revolving fund. It would require the Secretary to develop and provide funding to connect Kansas by rail to other member states of the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission and any passenger rail service operations serving Kansas. The bill would require the Secretary to provide funding to cover the costs of projects and operating services for Amtrak or any common rail carrier approved by the Federal Railroad Administration. SB 349 passed the Senate 34-6. I voted yes.
SB 379 would amend provisions in the Kansas Probate Code regarding the publication notice required to be given to creditors with respect to the administration or probate of a will and for publication notice of sales of real and personal property at auction. The bill would also clarify the process by which small estates may be transferred to a successor by affidavit. SB 379 passed the Senate 40-0.
SB 347 would require the appointments to the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission to be subject to Senate confirmation and prohibit an unconfirmed appointee from exercising any power, duty, or function as a member of the Commission. SB 347 passed the Senate 24-15. While changing the makeup of the Commission by appointments of Legislative leadership is positive; the confirmation process should be more closely considered as there are only a handful of commissions out of about 100 which require this step. I voted no and if a hearing in the House is held - the confirmation vote should be weighed.
SB 172 would increase the lump-sum death benefit for a Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) retiree from $4,000 to $6,000, beginning on July 1, 2024. SB 172 passed the Senate 24-14. I voted yes.
SB 142 would require the driver of a vehicle approaching a stopped vehicle displaying hazard warning signal lamps, road flares, or caution signals to proceed with caution and change lanes away from the stopped vehicle if it is possible and safe to do so. SB 142 passed the Senate 38-2. I voted yes.
SB 410 would designate two portions of highway in honor of distinguished Kansans: The Ken W. Brock Memorial Highway would be the portion of US-69 between Grand Road in Bourbon County and East 650th Avenue in Crawford County; and The Merle Miller Memorial Highway would be US-81 in Republic County. SB 410 passed the Senate 40-0.
SB 23 Eliminating the statutory 15% alternative investment limit for the KPERS fund and requiring the KPERS board to establish an alternative investment percentage limit. An amendment was made to retain the cap but increase it from 15% to 20%. This amendment was adopted. The bill passed the Senate 24-13. I voted yes.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
SB 212 was heard in the Local Government Committee last year and this year SB 384 was introduced by the League of Municipalities. Each bill requires a vehicle providing emergency care to operate with one person that is certified as an emergency medical service provider and a second person that either meets the same requirements or is a person certified in first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This issue has become prevalent in recent years with fewer volunteers who are trained EMTs; however, many volunteers (fireman for instance) are certified in CPR but with less training as an EMT. It is important to note, the driver of the ambulance does not help with patient care while driving to the hospital – this bill is truly dealing with life-safety issues in rural Kansas. An amendment was added to SB 384 which removed the Emergency Medical Services Board requirement for reapplying for the wavier exemption which the department implemented late last year. This modification was agreed upon by the League and the EMS Board, SB 384 was sent out of committee and is now “under the line” on the Senate side and awaits debate by the full Senate.
KANSAS.GOV – FILE YOUR TAXES FOR FREE
You can file your Kansas Income Tax Return and Homestead Refund Claim with Kansas WebFile, a free state tax return service provided by the Kansas Department of Revenue and www.Kansas.gov.
I always encourage you to stay informed of the issues under consideration by the Kansas Legislature. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions. An email is the best at this point in the session.
Thank you for the honor of serving you!
Senator Elaine Bowers
Kansas State Capitol Building Room 223-E300
SW 10th St.
Topeka, KS 66612
[email protected]
785-296-7389
www.kslegislature.org
www.elainebowers.com
Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, is senator of the 36th District in Kansas, which includes:
* Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Smith and Washington counties
* Marshall County: Cities: Blue Rapids, Marysville, Oketo and Waterville; Townships: Blue Rapids, Blue Rapids City, Cottage Hill, Elm Creek, Herkimer, Logan, Marysville, Oketo, Walnut and Waterville
* Phillips County: Cities: Agra, Glade, Kirwin and Phillipsburg; Townships: Arcade, Bow Creek, Crystal Deer Creek, Freedom, Glenwood, Greenwood, Kirwin, Phillipsburg, Plum, Rushville, Solomon(part), Sumner, Valley and Walnut