February 7, 2024
Topeka
Bills Introduced This Week
House Bill 2680 would create a traffic infraction for knowingly leaving a child eight years of age or younger inside a motor vehicle without being under the supervision of someone twelve years of age or older. Under this bill, fines that are a result of a violation would be credited to a child and family trust account. Violation of such a traffic infraction would result in a $100 fine, notwithstanding additional fines handed down in court. The bill would also require information about leaving children unattended in a vehicle be included in the Kansas driving handbook and training manual.
House Bill 2687 would establish a child tax credit starting in the tax year 2024 and every year thereafter. Starting with those who make $0 to $25,000 in gross income, the credits will amount to a $600. Married individuals, who file separate returns, may claim only half of the amount of credit per qualifying child.
House Bill 2684 would allow a city to impose an earning tax, which is a tax on salaries, wages, commission or other compensation earned by residents or non-residents of the city for work or services provided within the city after being approved by the majority of electors of that city. All taxes collected under this bill would be required to go towards infrastructure purposes.
House Bill 2691 establishes that private property should not be taken or damaged for public use without just compensation. If a landowner's entire land is taken for public utility for the construction, maintenance or repair of electrical lines, they are entitled to compensation and measure of damages no less than fair market value of property, multiplied by 150%.
I introduced House Bill 2651, which would require entities that cause damage to any crops or land, notify the landowner, request a copy of the land lease agreement and send reimbursement to the landowner and tenant as outlined in lease agreement.
These are a handful of bills introduced, and we will need to see if they will have a scheduled hearing in their committee. Many of these bills may not even have a hearing or make it out of committee.
Appropriations Committee
The House Appropriations Committee continued discussing the various agency budgets for the state of Kansas. We also conducted a bill hearing that would authorize the governor to submit a budget report to the legislature that increases total expenditures for the next fiscal year by not more than 2% of the total expenditures from the previous year.
We passed two bills out of committee for possible debate on the House floor. Wednesday, we worked Senate Bill 195 which authorizes the Children’s Cabinet to form 501©(3) for fundraising for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library book gifting program. We also worked House Bill 2491, which abolishes the Law Enforcement Training Center Fund and is funded by the State General Fund.
Bills Debated On the House Floor
This week is the fifth week of the 2024 legislative session, and we spent most of the time debating bills and resolutions in the chamber of the Kansas House of Representatives. Here is a look at some of those bills:
House Concurrent Resolution 6035 would affirm state sovereignty and supports the state of Texas in its efforts to combat illegal immigration. The resolution also encourages Governor Laura Kelly to offer the services of the Kansas National Guard to the state of Texas.
House Bill 2578, which relates to certified community behavioral health clinics and provides for renewal certification of programs and treatments that have been previously certified.
House Bill 2522 relates to the release of offenders and requires the Secretary to assist inmates with obtaining identification and employment related documentation prior to the offender’s release date.
I voted “yes” on the resolution and two bills.
Contact Information
Anytime that you would like to participate and listen to the developments of committee hearings or discussion on the House floor, you can tune in by video or audio at www.kslegislature.org.
As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me 785-296-7672, follow on twitter at @waymaster4house, or email me at [email protected].
It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions. I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.
Rep. Troy Waymaster is the House Appropriations Committee chairman and representative of the Kansas House 109th District which includes Ellsworth, Lincoln, Osborne, Russell, and Smith counties.