Feb. 2, 2025
Topeka
SENATE HAPPENINGS
This week, Senate standing committees remained active, conducting hearings and advancing legislation. The Ways and Means Committee has begun reviewing the state budget, with agencies presenting their proposals. Meanwhile, committees continue to hold hearings on various bills, shaping them for further consideration. As the Senate returns to General Orders, we will see the first committee-approved bills come before the full Senate for debate and voting.
SENATE FLOOR ACTION
SB 35 eliminates the 1.5 mill levy for state educational and institutional buildings. The 1.5 mill levy is the only instance in which the state government puts property tax revenue into its coffers. The money for the impacted buildings would be made up via the state general fund. SB 35 passed 38-2. I voted yes.
SB 10 would exempt an array of residential vehicles from property tax, including motorized bicycles, watercraft, snowmobiles, and trailers. The bill was supported by county appraisers who said it would create efficiencies and lower costs, as often the resources required to assess these vehicles exceeded the revenue collected. School districts impacted by this exemption would automatically receive equivalent revenue from the state general fund. SB 10 passed 37-3. I voted yes.
SCR 1602 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging Governor Laura Kelly to cooperate with the Trump Administration on enforcing our nation’s immigration laws, including deportations. SCR 1602 passed 31-9. I voted yes.
SB 63 would enact the Help Not Harm Act, which would prohibit healthcare providers from providing certain treatments to a child whose perceived gender or perceived sex is inconsistent with such child’s sex. The prohibited treatments would include surgical procedures and medications as specified in the Act. The bill would establish relevant legal definitions and provide for exceptions. The bill would specify the course of action for providers that initiated any of the prohibited treatments prior to the effective date of the Act. SB 63 passed 32-8. I voted yes.
MARCH AND RALLY FOR LIFE
Earlier this week, hundreds of Kansans came out on a cold day for the annual Rally for Life at the Statehouse. On January 22, 1974, the first MARCH FOR LIFE was held on the West Steps of the US Capitol. An estimated 20,000 committed prolife Americans rallied this day with attendance numbers rising every year. In addition to the March and Rally, events include workshops, pro-life educational booths, capitol tours, visiting legislators, and attending general legislative sessions and committees.
KANSAS DAY and Senate District #36
January 29th of 2025 marked the 164thH anniversary of President James Buchanan signing a bill to make Kansas the 34th state of the United States of America. Kansas is named for the Kansa, the Algonquian word for the Kaw. Kansas is full of rich history, beautiful scenes of nature, and notable landmarks.
In Kansas Senate District 36, we have remarkable landmarks such as memorial to Pony Express Riders in Marshall County, 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. The flag was modified in 1961 by a bill introduced by Senator Ross Doyen of Concordia to add the word “KANSAS.”
KANSAS DAY UNVEILING OF KANSAS SUFFRAGIST MURAL
The newest mural was unveiled in the State Capitol on January 29th and celebrates the suffragist movement with a painting named “Rebel Women” by Kansas artist Phyllis Garibay-Coon. The oil painting is 18-feet-by 8-feet and was approved in 2023 after SB 479 passed the Kansas Legislature unanimously in 2022. In total, there are 13 Kansas Suffragists depicted in the painting. The mural is located on the 1st floor east wing near the cage elevator.
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) update was given in the Transportation Committee. Kansas ranks fourth at over 138,000 miles of public use roads and fifth with nearly 25,000 bridges. The state’s transportation system also includes nearly 4,600 miles of railroad, 142 public use airports. KDOT employs over 2,200 people. Users travel over 87 million miles per day on Kansas roads.
A railroad update was given not only on Kansas rails but also nationwide. Spanning 49 states and DC together Class II and III with nearly 140,000 miles system that also supports Amtrak operation with 70% of its train-miles running on freight-owned tracks. In Kansas, in 2022 it was estimated it would have taken 17 million trucks to handle the freight that moved across the state. There are nearly 6000 miles of rail tracks in Kansas. On average, railroads are three to four times more fuel efficient than trucks and one train can take hundreds of trucks off the road saving wear and tear on our highway system.
KTA update was presented to the Transportation Committee and noted the success of the new cashless tolling which began July 1st of 2024. Currently the system is compatible with Colorado, Florida, Oklahoma and Texas. The Kansas Turnpike Authority has 236 miles interstate with 1000 lane miles and covers I-70, I-470, I-335 and I-35. Fifty percent of travelers are from out of state and has the lowest toll rate in the US. For information on Ktags and customer support go to www.DriveKS.com or phone or 800 USE-KTAG.
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY LAUNCHES PORTAL FOR PUBLIC INPUT
The Committee on Government Efficiency has launched a Government Efficiency Portal on the Kansas Legislature’s website to receive input from the public. Citizens may also opt to simply send e-mails to [email protected]. The portal, which is a simple form, can be accessed at: https://kslegislature.gov/li/kansascoge/. This new committee will be similar to the new federal Department of Government Efficiency website, doge.gov
VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF KANSAS - www.kansas.gov
You can find a wealth of information at this well-designed website which focuses on Kansas with topics of business, education, government, residents, and services with links to agencies and staff to help answer any question you might have. Webfile will take you directly to the Department of Revenue to file your taxes; Form finder will take you to the Secretary of State’s office for all types of forms for businesses; Learning Quest will direct you to the State Treasurer’s Office; the three branches of Government; and Plan your Trip to Kansas will open to the Department of Wildlife and Parks.
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. Questions can also be left at [email protected] on weekends and evenings. Kansans can now chat with a librarian in real-time through the library’s Ask A Librarian service found at kslib.info/ask. You will have the option of installing a mobile app connecting users to all the library's services, including chat, texting, and email. Text questions to 785 256-0733. The State Library is located on the 3rd floor, north wing of the Capitol.
Thank you for the honor of serving you!
Senator Elaine Bowers
Kansas State Capitol Building Room 223-E
300SW 10th St.
Topeka, KS 66612
[email protected]
785-296-7389
www.kslegislature.org
www.elainebowers.com
Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, is senator of the 36th District in Kansas, which includes:
* Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Smith and Washington Counties* Marshall County: Cities: Blue Rapids, Marysville, Oketo and Waterville; Townships: Blue Rapids, Blue Rapids City, Cottage Hill, Elm Creek, Herkimer, Logan, Marysville, Oketo, Walnut and Waterville* Phillips County: Cities: Agra, Glade, Kirwin and Phillipsburg; Townships: Arcade, Bow Creek, Crystal Deer Creek, Freedom, Glenwood, Greenwood, Kirwin, Phillipsburg, Plum, Rushville, Solomon(part), Sumner, Valley and Walnut