TOPEKA
Feb. 12, 2025
Given that we are two weeks before turnaround, the House of Representative was busy with bill introductions, hitting a whopping 130 total. Here is a small selection, 9 bills, from that very long list.
First is House Bill (HB) 2185. This legislation would enable National Guard members to transfer unused tuition assistance benefits from the Kansas National Guard Education Assistance Act to eligible dependents. Second is HB 2190, which would establish general elections on even-numbered years as public holidays.
Third is HB 2193. This bill would establish the Every Mom Matters Program in the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, which would provide information and support services to pregnant women and parents considering adoption. The fund and its contracts would be administered through the State Treasurer.
Fourth is House Bill 2205. This legislation would ban lobbying in Kansas on behalf of the Russian Federation, People’s Republic of China, Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Republic of Cuba, Maduro’s Venezuela, and the new Syrian Arab Republic. The bill would also provide civil penalties for violation of said prohibition.
Fifth is HB 2210, which would establish a child tax credit under Kansas Law, the credit value per child depending on level of filing income.
Sixth is HB 2238. This bill would adjust responsibility of preparing minutes to show attendance, agenda items, tentative and final committee decision, staff instructions, and other committee matters from the Kansas Legislative Research Department to Legislative Administrative Services.
Seventh is House Bill 2274, which alters the requirements for reciprocity with other states in occupational licensing, for military members and their spouses, by removing the requirement that said military members be active service.
Eighth is HB 2283. This bill would add new members to the Kansas State Fair Board from the legislature, with appointment made by legislative leadership. Ninth, and last, is HB 2313 which would prohibit use of the artificial intelligence platform DeepSeek and similar platforms from use on state-owned devices and networks.
COMMITTEE HAPPENINGS
House Appropriations (HAPP) only heard and worked budgets this week. On Monday HAPP heard and worked on the budgets of the Attorney General, Governor’s Office, Judicial Branch, Department of Education, and Kansas Guardianship Program.
Tuesday saw the committee hear and work budgets for the following: Kansas Neurological Institute, Office of Child Advocate, Parsons State Hospital and Training Center, Kansas Department of Corrections, Larned Correctional Facility, Norton Correctional Facility, Topeka Correctional Facility, Winfield Correctional Facility, Kansas State Fair, Kansas Human Rights Commission, Kansas State Treasurer, and Pooled Money Investment Board.
For Wednesday House Appropriations heard and worked the budgets of Emporia State University, Kansas State University, Kansas State Extension Services and Agricultural Research Program, Kansas State Veterinary Medical Center, Wichita State University, and Kansas Department of Agriculture.
On Thursday the committee worked and heard budgets for the Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Department of Health and Environment—Environment, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Kansas Water Office, Department of Administration, Kansas Real Estate Appraisal Board, Kansas Real Estate Commission, Kansas Board of Examiners in Optometry, Kansas Board of Hearing Examiners, Kansas Dental Board, Ellsworth Correctional Facility, Hutchinson Correctional Facility, Larned State Correctional Facility, and Kansas Office of Veterans Services.
Friday witnessed House Appropriations hear and work the budgets of the Department of Children and Families, Kansas Department of Health and Environment—Health, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, Fort Hays State University, Pittsburg State University, El Dorado Correctional Facility, Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex, Kansas Department of Transportation, and Kansas Highway Patrol.
HOUSE DELIBERATION
The Kansas House of Representatives debated and voted on seven pieces of legislation this week. First was Tuesday with House Concurrent Resolution 5004, which amends the state constitution to add citizenship as a requirement for voting in any election.
The second was on Wednesday with House Bill (HB) 2020, which requires a quarterly report from the director of division of vehicles listing the names and addresses of noncitizens that have attained driver’s licenses in said period.
On Thursday the third and fourth bills were HB 2049 and 2050. HB 2049 adjusts statutes on suspension, revocation, denial, and renewal for insurance agent and public adjuster licenses and HB 2050 grants the Insurance Commissioner the ability to set some fee rates and include them in the publication of the Kansas Register.
On Friday the remaining House Bills of 2029, 2042, and 2043 were debated and voted. HB 2029 would redesignate several stretches of state highway and HB 2042 and 2043 would alter further insurance law.
I voted yes on each bill, and each passed their floor votes.
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.
Feel free to contact me 785-296-7672, follow on twitter at @waymaster4house, or email me at [email protected].