SENATE HAPPENINGS
This week, the Senate standing committees continued to hold hearings and bring forward legislation. The Ways and Means Committee is starting to work the budget bill with subcommittee meetings to report to the full committee in a few weeks. The Senate will be returning to General Orders where we will see the first committee bills to have a vote from the entire Senate. Bills from last year are sitting “below the line” and will be pulled up by the Majority Leader during the weeks before the hard dead-line called turn around which is when bills cross over to the opposite Chamber and will begin the debate process again in committees.
SENATE FLOOR ACTION – SCR 1613
With a vote of 28-12, the Kansas Senate Passed the Value Them Both Amendment to reverse the Supreme Court ruling (6-1) from Hodes & Nauser v Schmidt. SCR 1613 would amend the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the State of Kansas by adding a new section regarding the regulation of abortion. It states that nothing in the state constitution requires the government to fund abortion and does not create or secure a right to abortion. SCR 1613 does not ban abortion as it is federal law. It also provides that the people of Kansas through their elected state legislators may pass law regarding abortion and these laws would remain subject to the United States Constitution protection of an individual’s right to abortion. The resolution must be adopted by a 2/3 vote in each chamber in order to be presented to the general electorate for approval. If SCR 1613 is adopted in both chambers, then it would appear on the election ballot at the primary election held in August 2020. A “yes” vote on the ballot for the Value Them Both Constitutional Amendment keeps regulations and laws already in place and approved by voters on the books basically returning us to 1972 after the Roe Vs Wade ruling. Four key regulations that have received bipartisan support throughout the legislature since 1972 – Women’s Right to Know & 24 hours waiting periods (1997, parental notification (2011, clinic licensing laws (clinic inspections-2011) and no taxpayer funding of abortions (2013).
I voted yes. I believe it is important that women are given the most basic information about their doctor; that minor children are not left to make important decisions on their own; that women can know that they will enter a clean, safe facility; that Kansas will not be forced to pay for abortions and people have the right to regulate the abortion industry through the legislative process. Kansas is not alone in amending their Constitution - six other states have already passed similar amendments and other states are considering amendments this session. SCR 1613 has moved across the Capitol to the House of Representatives for their review.
COMMITTEE WORK
POST AUDIT JOINT COMMITTEE
Auditing has always been a part of State government in Kansas. The original 1859 Kansas Constitution provided for an elected state auditor. A constitutional amendment in 1971 did away with the auditor as an elected position, and the 1971 Legislature passed a bill that created the Legislative Post Audit Committee and the Legislative Division of Post Audit. (The “post” in “Post Audit” refers to auditing transactions after they occur.) Today, the Legislative Post Audit Committee is a 10-member, bipartisan, joint legislative committee made up of five senators and five representatives. To help guarantee the committee’s independence, the members, once appointed, serve for the duration of their term, and the committee chair is elected by the members themselves. The committee directs and oversees the work of the Legislative Division of Post Audit, a 25-person legislative staff agency that audits government programs for efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance with the law. It issues 20+ audit reports a year, on topics ranging from computer security to foster care to the state’s economic development activities. All audits are either required by state law or selected by the Legislative Post Audit Committee. The division’s mission is to provide accurate, timely, and unbiased information to legislators to help them make informed decisions about the myriad issues affecting Kansans. This committee will meet monthly during session to hear reports and assign new ones to consider for the upcoming year.
Post Audit podcasts named the Rundown features interviews with Legislative Post Audit staff discussing the latest news and reports from LPA. The Rundown is recorded, hosted, and produced by LPA staff and are available as Apple podcasts or on Spotify. More information can be found on their website www.kslpa.org.
UTILITIES COMMITTEE - Oil and Natural Gas Update in Kansas
Kansas Independent Oil & Gas Association (KIOGA) reported to the Senate Utilities Committee last week with their annual report. Oil accounts for 37% of the energy consumption in the United States, while natural gas accounts for 31%. The oil and natural gas industry in Kansas support 118,000 jobs in the state and adds over $3 billion in family income. The first oil well in Kansas was drilled in 1860 and today, oil and gas are produced in 89 of Kansas’ 105 counties. Over 59,000 wells are actively producing oil and natural gas across the state by over 2100 oil and gas producers operating in Kansas. More information can be found at their website: www.kioga.org.
KANSAS COUNTS – Census 2020
The U.S. Census is mandated by the Constitution and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. The 2020 Census will count the population in all 50 states, the District of Colombia and the five US territories. Each home will receive an invitation to respond to a short questionnaire – online, by phone or by mail. The census provides critical data for lawmakers, business owners, teachers and many others to provide daily services, products and support for your community. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools and roads. The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives and are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts. In mid-March, households will begin receiving the official Census Bureau mail with information on how to participate. The information by law is kept confidential under Title 13 of the US Code. Private data is protected, and answers cannot be used against residents by the government or court. By March 31st, 2021, the Census Bureau will send redistricting counts to states. This information is used to redraw legislative districts based on population changes. Additional information on the 2020 census can be found by accessing www.kansascounts.org or www.2020census.gov.
KANSAS DAY
January 29 of 2020 marked the 159th anniversary of President James Buchanan signing a bill to make Kansas the 34th state of the United States of America. Kansas is full of rich history, beautiful scenes of nature, and notable landmarks. In Kansas Senate District 36, we have remarkable landmarks such as the Nazareth Motherhouse in Concordia, Rock City outside of Minneapolis, and the “Home on the Range Cabin” in Smith County, birthplace of our state song. “Home on the Range” was adopted by the Kansas State Legislature as the official state song on June 30, 1947. Along with our state song, Kansas has not one, but TWO official state marches, “The Kansas March” and “Here’s Kansas.” But while the marches are grand, nothing brings as much pride into the hearts of the residents of the Sunflower State as that of seeing our great flag dancing in the breeze. The flag was designed by Hazel Avery of Lincoln County in 1925. Directly in the center on the field of blue is the Great Seal of the State of Kansas with our motto arching near the top: “Ad Astra Per Aspera” to the stars through difficulties. A farmer planting a crop, covered wagons, a steamboat, a cabin, a sunrise over hills with buffalo and Indians galloping on green hills promote the state in a way we all can relate to.
TOLL-FREE LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE
Kansas residents can access information on legislation, legislative procedure, state government, public policy issues and more by calling 1-800-432-3924. Calls are answered by experienced reference/research librarians at the State Library of Kansas and kept confidential. Lines are open weekdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Callers can also leave brief messages to be delivered to legislators as well as request copies of bills, journals, and other legislative documents. The State Library is located on the 3rd floor, north wing of the Capitol.
VISITORS FROM SENATE DISTRICT #36
The first three weeks of the legislative session was a busy one with people visiting from home for meetings and to celebrate Kansas Day on Friday – 158 years of statehood. The municipal judges, electric cooperatives members, rural independent telephone companies, public accountants and title company representatives from District #36 had their annual meetings and receptions this month. Members of the joint law enforcement community, county clerks and county appraisers, American Legion and VFW, school board officials, agriculture retailers and co-ops and officials from city and county government were in Topeka for their annual events. Doctors across the state attended the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians annual legislative day with Dr. Jen Brull and other doctors across the state.
Thank you for the honor of serving you!
Senator Elaine Bowers
Kansas State Capitol Building
Room 223-E
300 SW 10th St.
Topeka, KS 66612 [email protected]
785-296-7389