We have reached our turnaround week in the Kansas legislature. With a 90-day session, we start with bills in committees to work through details then bring them to the floor as they are ready. The turnaround deadline is when we finish our House bills to go to the Senate and vice versa.

I believe having a timelimited session with deadlines is good for Kansas. It forces us to get through issues where a full-time session might drag on without reaching a timely conclusion.

During our Monday committee meeting day, the appropriations committee finished some of the budget sub-committee topics. The final budget bill is assembled later in the session. The appropriations committee is one that is exempt from the turnaround deadline.

The insurance committee passed one additional bill aligning short term health plans with federal law. On the pension side, the committee chose not to advance a bill that would allow future KPERS retirees to choose a lower initial benefit payment but receive an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) for life.

The bill was cost neutral with the employee making their selection at retirement. The committee felt it might confuse or alienate existing retirees who are asking for a COLA. Retiree requests do require a payment for any additional benefit granted.

We moved to debate bills full time on the House floor starting on Tuesday. Despite the division that marks most political discourse, there is agreement on much of our work. Of the 33 bills and resolutions considered this week, one failed. Eleven passed unanimously.

These unanimous measures included HB 2703 which updated last year’s work on unemployment issues and HB 2595 which changed the model years for certain antique vehicles from years prior to 1950 to years prior to 1960 for titling procedures.

Another four had only one dissenting vote. Two of these bills were from the insurance committee dealing with adjustments to insurance general fund requirements and investments allowed.

Eleven had eight or fewer “no” votes. HB 2299 had two dissenting votes. This bill allows a search warrant to be executed within 10 days from the date of issuance (rather than within four days.) HB 2563 updated the industrial hemp act and aligns hemp with Kansas Seed laws. Eight representatives voted “no” on this bill.

Issues where there was a little more dissention included HB 2559, which creates the Kansas cotton boll weevil program. To fund the program, a fee is assessed to producers. Concerns about the fee requirement, although requested by current producers, resulted in a more divided vote of 83 yes to 37 no votes. I voted yes.

There were two proposed constitutional amendments that passed the House. HCR 5014 would provide for legislative oversight of rules and regulations adopted by executive agencies and officials.

HCR 5022 would require that a sheriff be elected in each of the 104 counties where the sheriff is presently elected. This measure was supported by the sheriffs. We will watch progress in the Senate and provide more information on any issues that will go on our ballots later this year.

Have a great week!