The Rahjes Report
February 15, 2023
Hello from Topeka.
We are on week six of this legislative session. I apologize for the absence of these updates the last few weeks. I have been dealing with technical issues, that I hope are now resolved.
This week we will have a busy week of bill hearings and final action in committees that will make for longer days on the house floor next week. The first “half” of the session will be here soon, so we will have a good idea of what bills will be voted on and if approved will head to the senate and vice-versa.
As a reminder, if a bill is not granted a hearing or worked for final action in committee, there will be time next year. We have had several groups and individuals come to the capital and it is always good to hear directly from folks who come to share their ideas and concerns.
Some of the floor action last week:
Passed: HB 2010 – Updating a statutory cross reference to provide proper jury instruction in cases when a defendant lacks the required mental state to commit a crime. This bill is a technical update deleting an old cross reference and replacing it with a new statute. It does not change the underlying aspect of the statute which relates to a person found not-guilty because of mental disease or defect.
HB 2033 – Changing the criteria used to refer and admit juveniles to a juvenile crisis intervention center. This bill clarifies and adds definitions for mental health and behavioral health crises in order to allow flexibility for crisis intervention. Intervention centers will now be better able to offer their services to minors who are exhibiting extreme behaviors that previously would not have received help as easily.
HB 2042 - Authorizing towing by self-storage unit operators of motor vehicles, watercraft or trailers for nonpayment of rent or abandonment and providing for notice to occupants, a right of redemption prior to towing and liability protection for operators. Today, self-storage business operators must go through government agencies to get a vehicle towed off their property if a client defaults on their contract. This leads to gridlock and hampering their abilities to conduct business. With this bill, they can arrange the towing themselves with prior notice to a customer in default.
HB 2065 - Allowing a court to change a spouse's name to a name that is different than a maiden or former name during a divorce proceeding. Current law only allows for a spouse undergoing a divorce to change their name to a previously used name or a maiden name. This bill allows for the spouse to select a different name if desired.
HB 2069 - Providing that the service of post release supervision period shall not toll except as otherwise provided by law. This bill will help in achieving more consistency in the courts statewide. When an offender is on supervision for a crime committed and is arrested for an alleged new crime, this legislation clarifies how the time spent in jail is credited. The time is credited to the original case first and then to the new case if applicable.
HB 2070 - Allowing certain nondrug offenders to participate in a certified drug abuse treatment program. The bill expands and clarifies which offenders are eligible for non-prison drug treatment programs. This allows offenders who suffer with addiction that have been convicted of felony property crimes to have access to treatment as part of their sentence. The bill is supported by law enforcement officers across the state, who believe that this can have a great impact in reducing future crimes.
SCR 1602 - Disapproving the designation of the lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species in Kansas by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. I carried this resolution on the house floor. Simply put, Kansas knows what's best for Kansas. Kansas farmers and ranchers already provide private efforts to protect the lesser prairie chicken that go above and beyond any measures the federal government is seeking to impose. While this is a symbolic gesture, it is very important that we stand with our Kansas Congressional delegation in opposition to the designation of the lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species.
You can follow along on happenings in the legislature online at kslegislature.org and when the house and senate are on the floor or in committees you can see all of them on the Kansas Legislature’s YouTube channel.
I have moved offices and now located at 186-W, which is the northwest corner of the capital. My assistant again this year is Terry Benitis. If you would like to contact me, Email is: [email protected], phone during the session 785-296-7463 or you can always try my cell number at 785-302-8416. If you have a young person who would like to come and spend the day as a Legislative Page, please let me know as soon as possible and we will work on what is a good day for that to happen.
Thanks for reading. It is my honor to serve you.
Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, is the Kansas state representative of the 110th Dist.