FEBRUARY 7, 2022
TOPEKA
House Appropriations Committee
Last week in the House Appropriations Committee we discussed numerous topics affecting the state of Kansas.
On Tuesday, we heard from the Executive Director of the Children’s Cabinet, Melissa Rooker, regarding the funding for children’s needs provided by the settlement from the Master Tobacco Settlement. She discussed how those settlement funds are being distributed and provided an update on the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program that we instituted during the 2021 Legislative Session.
We also had a briefing from the Secretary of Transportation, Julie Lorenz, on the status of the transportation department and the IKE transportation plan.
Due to the inclement weather on Wednesday, we did not have a meeting and reconvened on Thursday. We then had a bill hearing on House Bill 2548 which would implement additional reporting requirements for informational technology projects.
Also on Thursday, we started the budgeting process and deliberated on budgets from two budget committees. From the General Government Budget Committee, we discussed the budgets for the Real Estate Appraisal Board, Real Estate Commission, and the Kansas Insurance Department. The Transportation and Public Safety Committee reported the budgets of the Abstractors Board of Examiners, Board of Technical Professionals, and the Emergency Medical Services Board.
Economic Development Bill
There has been much discussion regarding an economic development bill that is focused on offering a business that is considering a move to Kansas and this business would invest $4 billion and is asking for $1 billion in incentives from the state of Kansas. Senate Bill 347 would allow for these incentives and is referred to as the Attracting Powerful Economic Expansion Act, otherwise referred to as “APEX.” This business, which the identity is held confidential as well at the location that they would move into the state, is estimated to create 4,000 jobs in the state of Kansas. Senate Bill 347 passed the Senate, 32-7, and is continually being debated in the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee.
Bill Activity in the House
During the fourth week of the Legislative session, there were many more bills discussed in the House Committees. Listed below are the details of those bills:
There was a scheduled review on one of the bills that I introduced in the 2021 session regarding mortgage financing for rural areas of the state of Kansas. House Bill 2268 would allow for the state of Kansas to guarantee home loans up to 125% of the appraised value of the home in a rural area, which is defined as a county with less than 10,000 in population. This would greatly benefit those in rural areas to secure financing for a mortgage on their home that was either new construction or renovated home.
In the House Transportation Committee, there was a hearing on Senate Bill 101. This bill would approve the operation and use of electric-assisted bicycles. There is also Senate Bill 379 that would permit the use of driverless vehicles for business-to-business use. There was only a hearing in the Senate Committee and has not been discussed in the House.
On Thursday, there was a hearing on House Bill 2540 which would allow for the construction of a memorial for Gold Star families on grounds of the Kansas State Capitol.
As I mentioned in a previous newsletter, there was a hearing on Senate Bill 318 which allows for a sales tax exemption for purchases to reconstruct, repair or replace fencing that was damaged or destroyed by wildfires. This bill passed the Senate and there was an amendment added that would make all fencing material purchases sales tax exempt effective on July 1, 2022.
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