March 15, 2024
Topeka
Bills debated on the House floor
We had a busy week on the House floor debating numerous bills.
Here are the details of some of those bills:
House Bill 2527 establishes cost recovery mechanisms for public utilities that construct certain electric generation facilities, revises the determination of rate base, capital structure, and return on equity in utility rate proceedings. The bill also revises the provision of economic development electric rates.
House Bill 2521 requires the State Board of Education to authorize teaching licenses for individuals who complete an alternative teacher certification program.
House Bill 2491 abolishes the Law Enforcement Training Center Fee Fund. All monies from the Law Enforcement Training Center Fee Fund are to be transferred to the State General Fund.
House Bill 2247 modifies certain terms, definitions, deadlines and provisions contained in the uniform consumer credit code and transfers mortgage provisions from the uniform consumer credit code to the Kansas mortgage business act.
Senate Bill 233 provides protections to Kansas citizens 17 and under, that they cannot undergo hormone treatments and or surgeries for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. In addition, there are significant consequences for any health care provider who chooses to proceed with this type of practice. Similar bills in other states have been successful in ensuring that minors are protected from these procedures and medications.
Senate Bill 340 removes an automobile club from the definition of “person” for purposes of enforcing penalties for violations of insurance law.
I voted “yes” on these remaining bills.
House Bill 2811
On Wednesday, March 13, The House Appropriations Committee held a hearing on House Bill 2811. This bill would require the Department of Corrections to establish a women’s correctional center nursery on the grounds of the Topeka Correctional Facility by January 1, 2026, subject to appropriations.
The Department would create the Nursery Program for Incarcerated Moms, which would allow eligible offenders to live with a child born to them while in custody for up to 36 months following the birth of the child. The Secretary of Corrections, or a designee of the Secretary, would be required to establish policies for operating the nursery.
The bill specifies that to be eligible for the program, an offender would have to give birth to a child after sentencing or while in custody, have 36 months or less remaining on her sentence; meet other criteria established by the Secretary or the Secretary’s designee, and have a child that meets the Secretary’s established eligibility criteria. The bill also specifies that any offender with current or prior convictions of certain violent or dangerous crimes would be automatically disqualified from the Program.
I am meeting with members to see if this is a bill we will work in committee.
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
The House Appropriations Committee met this week after we passed the House Budget out of committee the previous week. We had a briefing from the Infrastructure Hub that is administering the program that we established in last year’s budget, the BUILD Kansas program. This program allows for cities and counties from across the state of Kansas to apply for federal dollars. The federal match required, if approved, can be met by the funds that we set aside in last year’s budget.
We also had another informational hearing on “Zeroeyes,” which implements artificial intelligence detecting cameras in schools and other public areas in identifying potential guns. This is being utilized in other states to quickly respond to school shootings.
Anytime that you would like to participate and listen to the developments of committee hearings or discussion on the House floor, you can tune in by video or audio 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].
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.
Rep. Troy Waymaster is the House Appropriations Committee chairman and representative of the Kansas House 109th District which includes Ellsworth, Lincoln, Osborne, Russell, and Smith counties.