SENATE HIGHLIGHTS
MARCH 11, 2024
Senate Committees continued to review bills which have been sent over from the House, and we had one day of General Orders this week in the Senate. As we work though committee bills on the floor, we will also begin to have conference committee reports to vote on as well. A conference committee is a small, bipartisan and bicameral committee that works to smooth out the differences between the Houseās and Senateās version of a similar bill. Once the conference committee comes to a compromise, the committeeās version of the bill will be sent to both the House and the Senate for a final vote, before advancing the bill to the Governorās desk.
SENATE FLOOR ACTION
Election Day is Election Day
SB 365 requires all advance voting ballots be returned by 7 p.m. on Election Day. There was broad support in the Senate for this bill; however other amendments dealing with drop boxes and voter identification and then more concerns emerged over the practical extent of an added amendment that would have required all ballots to be hand-counted. This particular amendment dealing with hand-counted amendments is actually a bill sitting in Senate Federal and State Affairs for the past two years and has not had a hearing. I have seen countless times over the years amendments, which are āunvettedā added to a bill on the floor and then produce unintended consequences. A committee hearing flushes out details from both proponents and opponents with a broad discussion across the state. This discussion on hand-counting ballots is quite appropriate and needs to be openly debated in the committee before moving on to a final vote on the Senate floor. The bill failed 18-22. I voted no. Efforts are underway to revive the underlying contents, which have widespread support, as well as other items not yet considered by the full Senate.
APPOINTMENTS ā Confirmations
Jonathan Rolph, Member, State Board of Regents, term ends June 30, 2027. He was confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 31-3, with several passes.
Virginia Powell, Member, State Board of Tax Appeals, term ends January 15, 2028. She was confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 36-0.
Devin Sprecker, Member, State Board of Tax Appeals, term ends January 15, 2028. He was confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 36-0.
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.
FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE ā Scott Schwab
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
March is Womenās History Month ā an opportunity to recognize womenās contributions to our state and nation. Kansas women were at the frontlines of the suffrage movement and helped to secure voting rights for women in Kansas before the national movement. Elwill M. Shanahan was the first female Kansas Secretary of State from 1966 to 1978. Secretary Shanahan was the first woman to hold a position in the constitutionally elected branch of Kansas government and the second female president of the National Association of Secretaries of State in 1975. Learn more about the women who paved the way for us through the Kansas Historical Society and Kansas State Department of Education.
One of the best ways to celebrate the suffrage movement is to register to vote. The following links are available to ensure you are prepared to participate in the upcoming municipal elections. Register to vote Check your voter information
LEGISLATIVE TOWNHALLS
Several legislative townhalls have been conducted throughout the 36th Kansas Senate District with more scheduled in the upcoming few weeks. On March 16, Representative Moser and I will be in Marysville at 8:30 at Landoll Lanes. Next, we will be in Washington at 11:00 a.m. at the Sale Barn CafƩ and make a stop in Cuba. Then, we will go to Belleville at 1:30 p.m. at the Belleville Public Library. On April 13, there is a Legislative Coffee scheduled in Concordia at 8:00 a.m. at Jitters Coffee House with Representative Susan Concannon and Representative Bill Bloom sponsored again by Farm Bureau.
GIRLS AND BOYS STATE
The American Legion Auxiliary ā WWW.KSGIRLSSTATE.ORG is accepting applications for its 2024 session. The event is set to be held Sunday, June 2, through Saturday, June 7, at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. ALA Sunflower Girls State, founded in 1939, is held in all 50 states and is a non-partisan program that teaches young women civic leadership, community building and belonging. Delegates spend a week of learning and working together as self-governing citizens. They also learn about public service from guest speakers, elected officials, and expert panels. Girl State is open to any high school Junior girl during the 2024 school year. For additional information - [email protected] or 620 728-4072.
The American Legion Boys State of Kansas - https://ksbstate.org/apply/ is accepting applications for its 2024 session. The event is set to be held Sunday, June 2, through Saturday, June 8, at Kansas State University in Manhattan. This will be the programās 32nd consecutive session at KSU and 86th overall. Traditionally, Kansas Boys State is for individuals who will complete their junior year of high school in the spring just prior to the start of each session. However, the ALBSK program will again expand the pool of applicants for this yearās session to include those who will complete their sophomore year of high school this spring. Boys State is a ālearning by doingā political exercise that simulates elections, political parties and government at the state, county, and local levels, providing opportunities to lead under pressure, showcasing character and working effectively within a team. For additional information - [email protected] or (785) 550-6492.
WATCH AND LISTEN TO THE KANSAS LEGISLATURE
Kansas Legislature YouTube ā Here you can follow the legislature live as it happens, or access archives of past sessions and committee meetings. Kansas Legislature Audio ā Here you can listen in on session or committees when they are in session, or access prior committee meetings, as well. Kansas Legislature website ā www.kslegislature.org - has extensive information on legislators, committees, bills, and past sessions.
THANK YOU FOR ENGAGING
Thank you for all of your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. I always encourage you to stay informed of the issues under consideration by the Kansas Legislature. Committee schedules, bills, and other helpful information can be easily accessed through the legislatureās website at www.kslegislature.org. You are also able to ālisten in liveā at this website. 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!