SENATE HIGHLIGHTS
Last week marked the sixth week of session with the first half of the legislative session almost behind us. As we approach “turn-around” the Senate held floor debate on Tuesday and Wednesday and worked bills which were sent out of committees to the full Senate. The bills voted on by the full Senate now cross over to the House of Representatives where the process starts over. Conference committees will meet to iron out the differences between the Senate and House versions before the 2019 session ends in May.
FLOOR ACTION
EXPIRATION DATE OF RISK-BASED CAPITAL INSTRUCTIONS – SB 28 will change the date specified in the Insurance Code for risk-based capital (RBC) instructions.
EXEMPTING CERTAIN DOMESTIC INSURERS FROM FILING ENTERPRISE RISK REPORTS –SB 66 will modify registration requirements in the Insurance Holding Company Act related to filing exemptions for enterprise risk reports.
M DRIVER’S LICENSES OPERATING UNDER TEMPORARY PERMIT – SB 17 will remove an exception for motorcycles operated with a temporary registration permit from requirement for each operator of a motor vehicle in Kansas to hold a license classified for the operation of the motor vehicle.
CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE – SB 25 will authorize expenditures of $82,886 in FY 2019 to pay claims against the State of Kansas.
APPROACH OF AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE – SB 40 will remove language requiring a law enforcement officer to issue a warning citation from, and after, the effective date of the act, and prior to July 1, 2001. This is for provisions requiring a driver to move into a nonadjacent lane or, if changing lanes is not possible or unsafe, proceed with due caution upon approaching an authorized emergency vehicle or police vehicle using flashing or hazard warning lights.
SEAT BELT USE IN TRAFFIC INFRACTION – SB 41 will amend the Uniform Act Regulating Traffic to specify the violation of law that requires seat belt use by occupants ages 14 and older in passenger cars or autocycles. This will now be considered a traffic infraction.
KANSAS FARM BUREAU MEMBER HEALTH CARE BENEFITS – SB 32 will allow the Kansas Farm Bureau to establish a health care benefit that offers coverage specifically for Farm Bureau members in Kansas. Senate Bill 32 aims to reduce the number of uninsured Kansans by creating competition and free-market options for health care. Senate Bill 32 is the Farm Bureau’s solution to addressing the critical need for KFB members to find affordable health care coverage. A recent study pointed out that 65 percent of agriculture producers view health care as the number one threat to the future of their operation.
KANSAS REAL ID LICENSE
Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.” Starting October 1, 2020, every state and territory resident will need to present a REAL ID compliant license/ID, or another acceptable form of identification, for accessing Federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants, and boarding commercial aircraft. This is called “card-based” enforcement. The card, itself, must be REAL ID compliant unless the resident is using an alternative acceptable document such as a passport. The card that is Real ID compliant will feature a gold circle with a star cut out symbol printed in the top third of the card on the front right side. Real IDs are optional and Kansas residents can choose between either Real ID card or a Nonreal ID card and there are no changes to fees for Kansas cards. In order to receive a Real ID card, a proof of lawful presence is required such as a birth certificate, unexpired US passport or naturalization certificate. Also required is a social security card, current W-2 or 1099 or current pay stub showing full social security number. Proof of Kansas residency is required by several means including a rent or lease agreement, renewal postcard, vehicle registration, utility bill or financial institution documents such as a bank statement, deed or mortgage. More information can be found at https://www.ksrevenue.org/dovrealid.html. You can order certified vital records like birth certificates at http://www.kdheks.gov/vital/birth.html.
TOUR THE STATE CAPITOL FROM HOME
Take an online tour of the magnificent Kansas State Capitol, floor by floor at https://www.kshs.org/p/kansas-state-capitol-online-tour/15843. The classically inspired building is an impressive public monument as well as the working offices for the governor and legislators. The building holds a dramatic array of art, architecture, and colorful Kansas history. The building hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday, and now open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
FROM THE STATE LIBRARY
Research for Kids
The State Library has online interactive eBooks, storybooks, and puzzles for children. These resources encourage new and reluctant readers to develop a love for reading. BookFLIX (PreK to third grade) pairs children’s video storybooks with related nonfiction titles. TumbleBooks offers animated talking picture books and read-along chapter books that improve sight word recognition. Britannica E-Stax (PreK to 5th grade) features nonfiction that can be downloaded to any Internet enabled device. http://kslib.info/kids. If the page above asks for a Kansas Library eCard number, you may get one at any library in Kansas. Most people will be automatically recognized as inside Kansas and will not need this step. Questions: [email protected] or 785-296-3296.
VISITORS FROM SENATE DISTRICT #36
The sixth week of session was another busy week with visitors to the Kansas legislature. Three hundred plus 4-Hers from across Kansas held their mock Legislative session in the House Chamber on Sunday evening and then met us for lunch on Monday in the Capitol. Mental Health Centers, Kansas Association of Conservation Districts and students and staff of the Kansas After School program were in the Capitol for their annual visit and receptions.
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 you 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
Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, is the 36th Dist. state senator and serves as the Senate Majority Whip. The 36th Senate District includes Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Smith and Washington counties and portions of Marshall and Phillips counties.