SENATE HIGHLIGHTS
The Kansas Senate finished the ninth week of session with committee meetings and bills coming forward. The Senate held floor debate on Wednesday and passed out two pieces of legislation dealing with alcohol.
FLOOR ACTION
MICROBREWERY CONTRACTING – House Bill 2470 allows Kansas microbreweries to contract with other microbreweries to sell and package beer and hard cider. The legislation regulates the amount of beer and hard cider that can be transported between facilities.
CEREAL MALT BEVERAGE SALE REGULATIONS – House Bill 2502 allows cereal malt beverage (no more than 6.0 percent alcohol volume) licenses to be subject to state and local taxes instead of the state liquor tax.
CONVENTION OF STATES- Senate Concurrent Resolution 1611 makes the application to the Congress of the United States to call a convention for the purpose of proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States that impose limits on the federal government. This bill failed 22-16 (The resolution needed 27 votes or two-thirds in favor to pass).
QUALIFICATIONS FOR CERTAIN STATEWIDE OFFICE
On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Elections and Local Government held a hearing on HB 2539 which deals with qualifications for candidates seeking certain statewide office. The bill would list a minimum age requirement to run for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, and insurance commissioner. Currently, there is not a minimum age requirement therefore any current resident of Kansas is eligible to run. There were two proponents of the bill at Wednesday’s hearing with both noting a “qualified elector” should be at least 18 years of age. This bill will be worked and sent out of committee next week.
From the State Library
The Kansas Constitution, including the Ordinance, Preamble, and Bill of Rights, is available to print in a pocket sized version from the State Library’s website http://kslib.info/constitution. Just click on the link and follow the instructions. A helpful diagram shows how to fold and where to cut to assemble your booklet. Helpful tip: print double sided and flip on the long edge.
Visitors from Senate District #36
We had another busy week with visitors from home. Kansas Insurance Day was held Wednesday with members across the state attending. The Kansas Optometric Association held their annual meeting and reception on Monday. The Concordia 7th graders toured the Historical Museum before visiting the Capitol on Thursday. David Wood from the BP Butamax Plant in Scandia was the guest speaker at the Senate Rural Ag Caucus on Monday and presented the group with a slide show of the operation at the ethanol plant.
As always, I’ll keep you updated on the activities of the Senate while we continue through the second half of the session. 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 legislature’s website at www.kslegislature.org. You are also able to ‘listen in live’ at this website. The House meets at 11:00AM and the Senate at 2:30PM. 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 for the honor of serving you!
Senator Elaine Bowers
Kansas State Capitol Building
Room 223-E
300 SW 10th St.
Topeka, KS 66612
[email protected]
785-296-7389
www.kslegislature.org