News from Kansas Senator Elaine Bowers
SENATE HIGHLIGHTS - WEEKLY OVERVIEW
This week the Senate concluded committee meetings; there are a total of 16 standing committees in the Senate. Monday will start a four-day week to complete the regular part of the 2024 legislative session. After the conclusion of the regular session with conference committee action the next week, the legislature is scheduled to take a three-week break before returning for the veto session to wrap up in late April.
SENATE FLOOR ACTION
HB 2790 transfers the registration, compliance oversight, and enforcement authority for professional employer organizations from the Commissioner of Insurance to the Secretary of State, effective January 1, 2025. The bill passed 39-0. I voted yes.
HB 2629 would amend provisions in law pertaining to the State Child Death Review Board. The bill would require a coroner to immediately notify the parent or legal guardian that an autopsy of their child had been completed and to provide information on how to obtain the autopsy results. The bill passed 40-0. I voted yes.
HB 2498 would authorize issuance of a First City of Kansas distinctive license plate and would require the county of registration to be displayed on most license plates. The bill passed 40-0. I voted yes.
HB 2745 would limit the application of the statute providing for reciprocal occupational licensing for military service members and military spouses to provide that such applicants would be exempt from all fees for applications for any such credential assessed by the licensing body. The bill passed 40-0. I voted yes.
HB 2481 would designate two portions of K-96 highway and a bridge in Sumner County in honor of deceased service members from Kansas. The bill passed 40-0. I voted yes.
HB 2760 would abolish (rename) the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs Office and create the Kansas Office of Veterans Services. The bill passed 40-0. I voted yes.
HB 2562 would create the Protect Vulnerable Adults from Financial Exploitation Act, which would, among other things, require a broker-dealer or investment adviser to promptly report to designated protective agencies. The bill passed 38-2. I voted yes.
HB 2176 would create the Arkansas City Area Public Library District Act and the Udall Area Public Library District Act and to adopt resolutions submitting to voters the question of creating a library district and a proposed tax levy amount. The bill passed 36-4. I voted yes.
HB 2532 would amend provisions pertaining to certain financial reporting requirements on group-funded liability and group-funded workers compensation pools. The bill passed 40-0. I voted yes.
HB 2557 would amend the definition of the term “peer support counseling session” within the Kansas Rules of Evidence. The bill passed 36-4. I voted yes.
SB 371 would expand current provisions to permit the issuance of a silver alert for a missing person who is 18 years of age or older and has an intellectual disability. The bill passed 40-0. I voted yes.
HB 2531 would amend the effective date specified in the Insurance Code for the risk-based capital instructions promulgated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for property and casualty companies and for life insurance companies. The bill passed 40-0. I voted yes.
SB 493 would amend law concerning ignition interlock devices to require manufacturers of such devices to pay fees to the Kansas Highway Patrol for administration, oversight, and monitoring of the IID program. The bill passed 28-12. I voted yes.
HB 2530 would amend the definition of “person” in law regarding violations of insurance law by removing references to automobile clubs under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Insurance. The bill passed 40-0. I voted yes.
HB 2525 would direct the Secretary of Health and Environment to deposit several fees into the Water Program Management Fund. The bill passed 39-1. I voted yes.
HB 2561 would amend and enact law supplemental to the State Credit Union Code to authorize domestic credit unions to do business outside the state. The bill passed 40-0. I voted yes.
Full texts of the bills and supplemental notes as well as the Final Action vote on these measures can be found at www.kslegislature.org.
LEGISLATIVE TOWNHALLS
Several legislative townhalls have been conducted throughout the 36th Kansas Senate District with more scheduled in the upcoming few weeks. On April 6th, Senator Billinger, Representative Rahjes, and I will be in Stockton at 10:45 am at the Stockton City Building. Next, we will be in Phillipsburg at 12:30 pm at the Huck Boyd Community Center. On April 13th, there is a Legislative Coffee scheduled in Concordia at 8:00 am at Jitters Coffee House with Representative Susan Concannon and Representative Bill Bloom sponsored by Farm Bureau. Representative Concannon and I are scheduled to be in Beloit on April 20th at 9:00 am at the Zion Lutheran Church.
THANK YOU FOR ENGAGING
Thank you for all of your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Helpful information can be easily accessed through the legislature’s website at www.kslegislature.org. You are also able to ‘listen in live’ at this website.
Thank you for the honor of serving you!
Senator Elaine Bowers
Kansas State Capitol Building
Room 223-E
300 SW 10th St.
Topeka, KS 66612
785 296-7389
