This was the last week for non-exempt committee meetings in the legislature. Our next week will consist of consideration of remaining bills on the floor of the House and Senate. The following and final week of the general session will be focused on work in conference committees where we reconcile differences between the chambers.

The appropriations committee completed and passed a budget recommendation. Inflation and some years of limited increases make budgeting a bit more of a challenge this year in many areas.

The state water plan is fully funded for the first time since I have been in the legislature. The governor’s budget contained a 5 percent increase in salaries for state workers. Rep. Francis of Liberal worked through the details and recommended the increase be only for those employees who were not part of another proposed pay increase. Further, he proposed that the dollars be placed in a merit pool (for non-classified workers), where managers would have discretion on how to best adjust salaries.

The insurance committee heard and passed a bill that was negotiated between pharmacists and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). A part of the PBMs’ role is to pay the pharmacists and manage or minimize costs to insurers and ultimately those who pay insurance premiums. Pharmacists were finding situations where they may struggle with some of the policies imposed by the PBM. Majority Leader Dan Hawkins and industry leaders worked with us to find a better way for everyone to work together. This proposal includes licensure of the PBMs. It is now in House Substitute for Senate Bill 28 and will be on the floor of the House this week.

On the House floor, we passed House Concurrent Resolution 5032 urging aid and support for the Ukrainian people during this aggression. The vote was 119-4.

We also passed House Resolution 6024 honoring Kansas Master Teachers for 2020 and 2022. The program was suspended in 2021, and the 2020 ceremony was cancelled due to COVID.

Two of our insurance bills were on the floor and were among the four bills that passed unanimously this week. Nine other bills passed with overwhelming support. Only one of the bills we debated had several dissenting votes.

HB 2528 would remove inflatable devices from the requirements of the Kansas amusement ride act. The issue was initiated to exempt non-profits that have a bounce house from amusement ride inspections. This bill passed 86-34.

Outside of formal meetings, it was good to see representatives of our libraries, mental health service providers and others in the Capitol.

Area hospitals continued to provide education on issues they have with meeting prior authorization requirements in health care.

Our rural housing coalition also worked to advance a plan to increase grants available to help us navigate the housing shortage we face across the state. Thank you for sharing your opinions on how to best address issues and opportunities in Kansas. You can reach me at steven.johnson@house. ks.gov or (785) 296-7696.