March 29, 2021
Last week, the Kansas legislature adopted a slightly modified version of the Back to School Act. The bill will require public schools in Kansas to offer a full-time in-person learning option beginning on March 31st and covers the remainder of the current school year. Many school districts have resumed in-person learning since the legislation was introduced. Governor Kelly has indicated she will sign the legislation.
In a unanimous vote, the Senate passed HB2071, which would amend the definition of the crime of stalking to include intentionally engaging in a course of conduct targeted at a specific child under the age of 14. The crime would occur when a reasonable person, in the circumstances of the targeted child or an immediate family member of such child, feared for such child’s safety. The penalty for the new provision would be a severity 7, person felony for a first conviction and a severity level 4, person felony for a second or subsequent conviction. The Johnson County District Attorney testified that the bill closes a loophole that was identified in a recently publicized case in Johnson County.
This week SB24 is being sent to the governor for signature after the House passed the Energy Choice Act which the Senate passed in February. “The freedom of energy choice is being undermined in many areas around the country, with governments seeking to limit or prohibit the use of natural gas. This poses a growing threat to the 870,000 households in Kansas who use natural gas and rely on it to heat their homes and water, cook meals for their families and many other uses,” said Senator Thompson.
SB40 has been signed by the governor. This bill will reform the Kansas Emergency Management Act. The bill has a number of provisions important to preserving the liberty and freedom of Kansans, including:
* Ends all COVID-19 related statewide mandates, including the mask mandate, on March 31.
* Proper checks and balances for any order issued by the governor.
* Prohibits the governor from closing businesses, civil organizations, and churches.
* Protects 2nd Amendment rights.
* Establishes due process rights for Kansans aggrieved by an order.
* Ensures the buck stops with elected officials at the state and local level. * Preserves local control of schools.
The Senate confirmed the appointments of Jacy Hurst and Lesley Isherwood to the Kansas Court of Appeals. Jacy Hurst will be the first woman of color in the Court of Appeal’s. Jacy lives in Lawrence, KS and is a partner in the law firm Kutak Rock LLP in Kansas City, Missouri. Lesley Isherwood is a resident of Wichita, KS, and a Senior Assistant District Attorney in Sedgwick County.
It is an honor and pleasure to serve the 40th Senate District of Kansas.
Please do not hesitate to contact me by e-mail at [email protected]. You may also call me with your questions or concerns. My office number is 785 296-7399, or my cell number is 785 899-4700.
Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, is state senator of the Kansas 40th Dist.
The 40th Senate District includes Cheyenne, Decatur, Ellis, Gove, Graham, Logan, Norton, Rawlins, Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas, Trego and Wallace counties, and a portion of Phillips County.