March 22, 2024
Topeka
Budget Bill Debated In the House
Tuesday, March 19, I lead the debate on the House floor for the budget that is in House Substitute for House Bill 2273. The debate on the floor lasted nearly three hours after numerous amendments were offered.
The budget bill from the House is considerably different than the budget that was submitted by the governor. For fiscal year 2024, we reduced spending from the governor’s budget by approximately $450 million, all funds, and in fiscal year 2025, we reduced spending by $330 million from the governor’s recommendation with state general fund dollars, and an all funds decrease by $939 million.
The highlights of the budget bill are that in 2024, we will expedite the paying off of three bonds totaling $47.7 million; address the security breach that occurred last fall with the judicial branch; allocates to the University of Kansas and Wichita State University collaboration for a health science center $30 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) monies.
The highlights for fiscal year 2025 are increases to the Medicaid reimbursement rates for hospitals and physicians. The bill also stipulates that we will reduce the waiting list for the intellectually developmental disability waiver by 500 individuals and the same number for the physical disability waiver. We also included $23.4 million for Medicaid payments for our nursing care facilities.
Included in the budget are all the projects that we crafted to address economic development across the state of Kansas in fiscal year 2025. This includes $10 million for the World Cup event in Kansas City, and if the legislature approves of how the funds were utilized, another $18 million may be dispersed in 2026. An allocation of $16.9 million to northwest Kansas for retail and housing, $20 million for the Law Enforcement Training Center in Hutchinson, $6 million to address transportation needs when the Hilmar Plant is operational, and $4 million for three small communities in southwest Kansas that are losing their natural gas sources. All of these projects are funded with the remaining ARPA money or through a special revenue fund. None of these projects are funded with state general fund dollars.
The budget bill passed the House Floor, 91-32, now we begin conference committee with the Senate.
Appropriations Committee
Since the budget was debated on the House Floor, the House Appropriations Committee only met on Wednesday and Thursday. During these meetings, we held informational hearings. Tuesday, we heard from the Kansas Lottery and they provided an update regarding the lottery, new lottery vending machines, casinos, and sports betting.
The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission gave us a briefing on the new Historical Horse Racing Machines facility that is being built in Park City.
Wednesday, we heard about the aviation initiatives from the Kansas Department of Transportation and the projects that were just announced. We also heard about the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul initiative in Wichita, Salina, and Topeka.
Bills In House Committees
Tuesday, the House Federal and State Affairs committee had a hearing on House Bill 2653, a bill that provides for child support orders for unborn children from the date of conception. Wednesday, the committee had a hearing on Senate Bill 347, which abolishes the current Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission and creates a new commission with the requirement that the new commission is confirmed by the Senate.
The House Taxation Committee had a hearing on House Bill 2844 Wednesday regarding a new two-rate tax plan. This plan would also incorporate modifications to the personal standard deduction, increasing the property tax exemption and the amount taxed for social security, and the elimination of the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund.
Also on Wednesday, March 20, the House Health and Human Services Committee, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, and the Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on Medicaid expansion. This hearing has been requested by many.
Thursday, the Higher Education Committee heard House Bill 2464, which increases the dollar amount of state scholarships for students attending a postsecondary educational institution with financial needs.
Contact Information
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 [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.