Hello from Topeka.
We are on schedule for first adjournment
on April 1st.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the legislature has worked quickly to provide responsive legislation to address concerns in both the healthcare and business industries. This past week the House passed SB 286, with a vote of 102-17. SB 286 extends the expiration dates from March 31, 2022 to January 20, 2023 for certain portions of the governmental response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Those provisions include:
• Expansion of telemedicine
• Use of hospital beds and non-hospital space
• Immunity from civil liability for health care providers
related to the COVID-19 public health
• Immunity from civil liability for COVID-19 claims for businesses in substantial compliance with public health directives
• Retroactivity provision regarding immunity from civil
liability
• Bed usage by critical access hospitals
The House amended the bill to make adjustments to the healthcare provider civil immunity provisions. The House further amended the bill to add provisions of HB 2620, which provides for protections for healthcare workers. The bill creates the crime of interference with the conduct of a hospital and amends the crime of battery to include battery against a healthcare worker. The bill was requested by a bipartisan group of legislators and was passed by the House Judiciary Committee earlier this session. SB 286 goes back to the Senate for consideration of the House amendments.
Overwhelming support for ensuring long-term stability of state retirees’ plan
Last week the House Insurance and Pensions Committee recommended SB 421 favorably and the House endorsed the bill with a vote of 113-5. SB 421 contains the contents of HB 2561, which uses the budget surplus to stabilize the KPERS system, bringing KPERS above the recommended 80 percent funded level, lowering future costs for taxpayers by reducing the state’s share of employer contributions, and saving taxpayers $429 million over the next five years. During debate, Rep. Steven Johnson reminded the body about why it is essential to direct stabilization funding to the KPERS Trust Fund. He provided a historical snapshot of the extreme downturn in the economy just over a decade ago and relayed the importance of keeping the fund secure. Johnson referenced the 2009 KPERS Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. In just one year’s time the funded ratio plummeted from 70.8 percent to 59 percent, while the Unfunded Actuarial Liability ballooned from $5.55 billion to $8.28 billion. KPERS’ investment returns declined by 19.6 percent over the previous year. The Legislature has made strides to ensure that KPERS remains stable and to provide certainty so that it will be there for our teachers, our firefighters, and other public employees when they need it. SB 421 is an extremely important piece of legislation to continue that effort.
Legislative Prayer
Each House session is opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The House is blessed to be served by Chaplain Eunice Brubaker, who has served as House Chaplain since the 2007 Session. She is a cancer survivor and unfortunately is in the midst of another bout with cancer. In her absence last week, Rep. Steven Johnson delivered the following prayer:
Gracious God,
We have so much for which to be thankful.
We are thankful to be here.
We are thankful for all you have given us.
We pray that your providence be with those fighting in Ukraine, that your kingdom may be established and prevail there and throughout the world.
May we all continually consider how our actions and words serve your kingdom above our earthly kingdoms.
Today, we pray again for our sister Eunice, that your healing hand is upon her.
In our journey together to the stars, we can only make it with Your great love and guidance.
When hate, envy or deceit wells within or around us, help us to instead reflect Your love, understanding and truth.
Amen.
You can follow along on happenings in the legislature online at kslegislature.org and you can watch committee meetings and when the House and Senate are on the floor on the Kansas Legislature’s YouTube channel. If you would like to contact me: my office is still located in Room: 149-S. My statehouse phone number is (785) 296-7463 and email is: [email protected] and you can always try my cell number at (785) 302-8416.
It is my honor to serve you.
Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, is the Kansas state representative of the 110th Dist. House District 110 includes:
Norton and Phillips Counties
Ellis County: Cities: Catharine, Ellis and Schoenchen; Townships: Big Creek(part), Buckeye, Catherine, Ellis, Herzog(part), Lookout(part) and Wheatland(part)
Graham County: City: Hill City; Townships: Hill City(part) and Nicodemus(part)
Rooks County: Cities: Damar, Palco, Plainville, Stockton, Woodston and Zurich