News from Kansas Senator Elaine Bowers

Senate Highlights

This week marked the sixth week of session with the first half of the legislative session almost behind us. As we approach “turn-around” the Senate held floor debate on Tuesday and Thursday and worked bills which were sent out of committees to the full Senate. The bills voted on by the full Senate now cross over to the House of Representatives where the process starts over.

Floor Action – Bills      

Voted On And Passed      

Out Of The Senate

SB 200 would amend the Pharmacy Act of the State of Kansas to include point-of-care testing for and treatment of certain health conditions. The bill would authorize a pharmacist to test for influenzas, strep, and urinary tract infection.  SB 200 passed the Senate 37-2.

SB 331 would amend the effective date specified in the Insurance Code for the risk-based capital (RBC) instructions to December 2022.  SB 331 passed the Senate 39-0.

SB 343 would replace statutory references to “hearing impairment” and similar terms with “hard of hearing,” “hearing loss,” or “deaf.” 

SB 343 passed the Senate 39-0.

SB 377 would amend and enact law supplemental to the Captive Insurance Act to allow a technology-enabled fiduciary financial institution (TEFFI) insurance company to operate as an authorized captive insurance company in Kansas. SB 377 passed the Senate 36-3.

SB 12 would require the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) to collaborate with community partners and stakeholders to develop a plan for implementation for a set of performance-based contracts to provide an array of evidence-based prevention and early intervention services for families at risk for an out-of-home placement, families that have a child in out-of-home care, and children who are awaiting adoption. SB 12 passed the Senate 34-0.

SB 335 would exempt certain qualified trade, merchant, retail, and professional associations, and business leagues in the state that provide health benefits through a self-funded health plan subject to the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and not subject to the jurisdiction of the Kansas Insurance Department, from payment of the annual premium tax to the Kansas Insurance Department.  SB 335 passed the Senate 34-0.

SB 392 would amend and repeal provisions in the Kansas Uniform Securities Act that require a transfer of unencumbered funds in excess of $50,000 to the State General Fund (SGF), from the Securities Act Fee Fund of the Kansas Insurance Department, on the last day of each fiscal year.  SB 392 passed the Senate 34-0.

S Sub for HB 2262 would amend the Uniform Controlled Substances Act and allow for (FDA)-approved drug Epidiolex (an oral solution of pure plant derived cannabidiol) to mirror the federal de-scheduling of this drug.  It would also amend the definition of “marijuana” to exempt FDA-approved drug products in the Act and in the definition sections of crimes involving controlled substances.  S Sub for HB 2262 passed the Senate 34-0.

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.

Department of Commerce Grants – Senate District #36

Governor Kelly announced 40 rural Kansas communities receiving more than $17.6 million in Community Block Grants. The awards are administered by Kansas Department of Commerce and granted from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s CDBG program. Ten cities in Senate District #36 received grants totaling $4,510,780.00. Three grants of $600,000 went to Marysville for their sewer treatment project, Lucas for a new water tower and water supply improvements and Mankato for their sewer treatment facility improvements. The City of Concordia received $560,000 for a new fire ladder truck.  Cawker City received $454,250 for a new water tower.  Miltonvale received $383,000 for their wastewater collection system and treatment facility improvement and Burr Oak received $330,000 for their improvement to their water system.  Russell received $360,00 for street improvements.  The city of Glasco received $323,530 for improvements to their lift station and sanitary sewer system. The city of Lincoln received $300,000 for housing rehabilitation and demolition. The Small Cities CDBG program is one of the Community Development Division’s primary tools in supporting the state’s small predominantly rural communities.

First Pages Of Session – February 15th

The Legislative Page program resumed this session as the Capitol is now open again to the public.  Sara Lorenz from Concordia and Amber Kolle from Linn spent the day with us in the Capitol where they ran errands for the Senators, attended Committee hearings with me and toured the capitol.

Unclaimed Property in Kansas

The State of Kansas has over $400 million dollars in unclaimed property waiting for the rightful owner to find and claim.  These holdings at the Treasurer’s office include bank accounts, cash, stocks, bonds, refunds (utilities), royalties, insurance proceeds and even safe deposit box contents. To search for your name, visit www.kansasstatetreasurer.com and enter your name or business name to see if your name is on this list.  Senate District #36 has over 4000 entries in the thirteen counties it covers.  If you would like more personal assistance, call 800-432-0386, 785-296-4165 or our office at 785-296-7389.

Tour The State Capitol & State-owned Historical Sites From Home

Take an online tour of the magnificent Kansas State Capitol, floor by floor at  https://www.kshs.org/p/kansas-state-capitol-online-tour/15843.  The classically inspired building is an impressive public monument as well as the working offices for the governor and legislators. The building holds a dramatic array of art, architecture, and colorful Kansas history. There are also 16 state-owned sites, administered by the Kansas Historical Society, explore different topics in our state’s fascinating history. Two of these sites in Senate District #36 are Hollenberg Pony Express Station in Hanover and Pawnee Indian Museum in Republic.

I always encourage you to stay informed of the issues under consideration by the Kansas Legislature. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions. An email is the best at this point in the session.
 

Thank you for the honor of serving you!