All Day In The House
On Tuesday, March 5, 2019, while we were still on break, I received many emails and messages regarding House Bill 2228. This bill amends the current laws regarding the operation of a child care facility where the said operator must require written notice if they are operating the facility without a license. This bill also establishes civil fines for operating a child care facility without a license, addresses the health, safety, and sanitation of children in a child care facility. The bill also provides for appeal rights for operators aggrieved by an order from the Secretary of Health and Environment regarding civil fines.
House Bill 2228 would require the Secretary to provide a written notice to the operators of a child care facility without a license that a required license is state law. If the operator continues to operate without a license after being notified they then must supply one, or the Secretary can impose civil fines on the operator. There are some exceptions where a license will not be required, those being, children provided care in the home they reside in, children who are relatives of the person, and up to two children, unrelated, for not more than twenty hours a week.
Prior to our leaving for turnaround, this bill passed out of the committee of Children and Seniors. Now we wait for a vote on the House floor.
Fiscal Leaders Meeting
For the past four years, I have been invited and will be a participant in the National Conference of State Legislatures Midwest States Fiscal Leaders Meeting. The topics vary greatly from year to year, and this year is no exception. On Friday, March 8, the discussions focused on the economic impact of agriculture in the Midwest, geographically targeting economic development incentives, sharing state experiences regarding Medicaid waivers, and the final segment for that day focused on the top fiscal issues in each of our states. Saturday, March 9, the scheduled discussion was on who is “footing the bill” for higher education, stress testing our state budgets, and the changing of state tax structures. I enjoy attending these meetings each year to discuss and listen to the array of differences and similarities we have in our Midwest region.
Tax Bills on the Floor this Week
Thursday, we debated two tax bills on the House floor. The first, House Bill 2160, allows for sales tax authority for Wabaunsee county, was the less controversial bill that we debated that day.
Senate Bill 22, otherwise referred to as the “Windfall” tax bill was the second bill we debated. As you may recall, the windfall derives from the recent changes in federal tax law where Kansas taxpayers must take the standard deduction on the state income tax return if they take the standard deduction on the federal return.
Some contend that this may eliminate the opportunity for Kansans with itemized deductions below the federal standard deduction, to itemize on the state return. By amending the tax code, or decoupling from the federal tax law, we would allow taxpayers to itemize or take the standard deduction on the state’s returns. This bill passed the Senate, 26-14 and the House Tax Committee added an internet sales tax and used that tax to buy down the sales tax rate on food. The bill passed to final action, 80-42, and I voted “yes.”
Contact Information
As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me (785) 296-7672, follow on twitter at @waymaster4house, visit www.troywaymaster.com or email me at [email protected]. Also, if you happen to visit the statehouse, please let my office know.
It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please do not hesitate to 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.