TOPEKA
March 17
Water for Hays
For years the city of Hays and Russell have struggled with providing enough water for their communities. Hays has been in a legal battle to convert water rights from the R9 Ranch in Edwards County from agricultural to municipal. HR 2433 passed and would prohibit a county from enacting or enforcing any resolution or other action regulating the transfer or appropriation of water that conflicts with, interferes with, is more stringent than, or would duplicate the control, regulation, enforcement, or oversight of the Chief Engineer or the Water Transfer Hearing Panel regarding the transfer or appropriation of water per continuing law.
Thank you to Representative Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, who worked tirelessly to make sure this legislation passed through the House and Senate.
Nurse background check, HB2478 will require advance practice registered nurse and registered nurse anesthetists submit a criminal history check upon application for a nursing license.
The State of Kansas was awarded $221 million from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to support the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program. The State of Kansas was fortunate to receive one of the larger amounts than other states. The Kansas legislature wanted to make sure the money was spent in rural Kansas and this bill will provide oversight on the funding. HB2555 passed and will require grant applications, expenditure information, reports and other documentation concerning the rural health transformation program to be presented and provided to the state finance council, House of Representatives committee on Appropriations, Senate committee on Ways and Means and legislative budget committee.
HB2413 elevates the theft of livestock, specifically cattle or horses, or implements such as farm tractors, fertilizer spreaders and other essential ag equipment to a severity level 5 nonperson felony, regardless of value, while enabling forfeiture of item used in crimes.
In addition, HB2422 classifies the theft of significant quantities of grain of at least 400 bushels of crops like corn, wheat, soybeans or at least 20,000 pounds of hay, as a severity level 6 nonperson felony, recognizing the severe economic devastation these acts inflict on farmers. Currently, I am working on legislation to ensure that when grain buyers (such as Omaha-based Hansen Mueller operating in Kansas) or purchasing grain from Kansas farmers and elevators are licensed, bonded and/or insured or have other protections to ensure payment from grain purchased from our Kansas farmers. Omaha-based Hansen Mueller has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy leaving many farmers and elevators without payment for their grain. To learn more on the Hansen Mueller grain bankruptcy google Progressive Farmer.
Town hall meetings are coming soon. I look forward to visiting with you during that time.
I am honored and grateful to represent the 40th Senate District in Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email: rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov or call me with your questions or concerns. My office number is 785-296-7399 or my cell number is 785-899-4700. If you are in Topeka, stop by my office at 545-S.
Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, is the 40th District state senator.