TOPEKA
March 21, 2022
Bills Debated in the House
On Tuesday, March 15, the House debated one resolution and four bills. The House Concurrent Resolution 5032 is in response to the invasion by Russia in Ukraine. The resolution honors the Ukrainians fighting against the Russian invasion.
House Bill 2674 states that if a defendant fails to appear as directed by the court and guaranteed by an appearance bond, the court in which the bond is deposited can issue an arrest warrant for the defendant.
House Bill 2541 shifts the deposits of certain fees with the Judicial Branch to the State General Fund. Then an allocation from the State General Fund will be transferred to the Judicial Branch for funding.
House Bill 2676 allows counties to create a code inspection and enforcement fund and expands the exisiting equipment fund to include technology.
House Bill 2582 amends current law governing access, exhange, and disclosure of information in the Revised Kansas Code for Care of Children.
On Wednesday, we discussed four bills.
House Bill 2528 removes inflatable devices that are owned and operated by a nonprofit from the Kansas Amusement Ride Act.
Senate Bill 348 exempts the practice of threading from cosmetology.
Senate Bill 392 terminates the transfer of unencumbered moneys in the securities fee fund exceeding $50,000 to the State General Fund. I voted “yes” to all of these bills.
Appropriations Committee
Last week the House Appropriations Committee conducted numerous bill hearings, presentations, and completed our committee work regarding the state budget. On Tuesday, we had a bill hearing on House Bill 2492 which is submitting claims against the state. Thursday, we conducted a bill hearing on House Bill 2626 which makes for increased contributions for the Teacher Service Scholarship Program.
We also had a presentation regarding the needs for rural housing across the state of Kansas. We had industry, banking, and economic development leaders discuss the need for additional housing in rural areas of the State. On Wednesday and Thursday, we had deliberations for the budget for fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025. We are planning to debate the budget next week.
State Budget Takes Shape
Wednesday and Thursday last week, the House Appropriations Committee began reconstructing the state budget for Kansas. There were many adjustments that needed to be made in order to balance the budget due to legislation that has passed since Governor Kelly submitted her budget in January.
Some of the adjustments that needed to be made were regarding the passage of the APEX bill to generate economic development to entice extremely large corporations to Kansas. The incentives drastically affect the ending balance for the budget.
We also need to make changes to the proposals for the renovation of the Docking Building and the new Kansas Department of Health and Environment lab. We are awaiting the final numbers and how much of Federal funds can by utilized for the projects.
We decided to place $500 million in the Budget Stabilization Fund, commonly referred to as the “Rainy Day Fund.” This will be placed in the fund as savings and used if the state of Kansas experiences a recession or shortfall in future years.
We also discussed across the board pay increase of five percent for all state employees, as mentioned in the Governor’s budget. There was also discussion on the increase to the Intellectually Developmentally Disability waiver, which would be an increase of $27.4 million.
The overall budget position for the House budget when passed out of committee has us with an ending balance of more than $1.7 billion, more than that of the submission by the Governor.
Contact Information
Anytime that one would like to participate and listen to the developments of committee hearings or discussion on the House floor, one can tune in by listening to the audio footage 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]. Please contact me regarding any issues and legislation that we are discussing during session.
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.
Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, is the Kansas House Appropriations Chairman and 109th District state representative which includes:
* Osborne, Russell, and Smith Counties
* Barton County: Cities: Albert, Claflin, Galatia, Odin, Olmitz and Susank; Townships: Beaver, Cheyenne, Clarence, Cleveland, Fairview, Grant, Independent, Logan, Union, Walnut and Wheatland
* Jewell County: Cities:Burr Oak, Esbon and Mankato; Townships: Athens,Browns Creek, Burr Oak, Calvin, Center,Erving, Esbon, Harrison, Highland, Holmwood, Ionia, Limestone, Odessa,Walnut and White Mound
* Lincoln County: Cities: Lincoln Center(part) and Sylvan Grove; Townships: Battle Creek, Beaver(part), Cedron, Elkhorn(part), Golden Belt, Grant, Hanover, Highland, Indiana, Marion, Orange, Pleasant, Valley and Vesper
* Rush County: Cities: Bison, Otis, Rush Center and Timken; Townships: Banner,Center,Garfield, Illinois, Lone Star, Pioneer and Pleasantdale